- 30 ml of espresso coffee
- Sugar (to taste)
- 1 shot of vodka
- Cream (to taste)
A Russian coffee isn’t a traditional Russian way of serving coffee. Instead think of it as an excellent alternative to its cousin, the Irish coffee.
A Russian coffee is vodka, rich espresso and cream. Adding sugar will counterbalance the coffee’s bitterness and round out its flavor. Topping gently with cream brings everything together – but add too much and the flavor of the coffee will be lost.
Unlike whiskey vodka has a clean, neutral flavour, so the quality of your Russian coffee will depend more on the quality of your espresso than the vodka you choose (although it’s a good idea to use the best vodka you have available). Making a consistent espresso is simple using an espresso machine or moka pot.
If you prefer steamed milk to cream then you can top your Russian coffee off with foam. A Russian coffee can also be an excellent cocktail for a hot day – just add plenty of crushed ice.