Mixology Mondays: Classic Cocktails - "The Russians"

The Black Russian originated in 1949 and was created by Gustave Tops, a Belgian barman, who created it at the Hotel Metropole in Brussels. The name comes from the two spirits used: Black, for the darkness of the coffee liqueur, and Russian, from the vodka. The true Black Russian is simply equal measures of vodka and Kahlua or Tia Maria mixed with ice cubes in a tumbler. However, the fashion in recent years has been to serve it as a long drink in a big glass, topped with cola.

If you're a fan of The Big Lebowski, you're familiar with The Dude's drink of choice, the White Russian. A White Russian is quite simply a Black Russian with the addition of cream or milk. It needs shaking as to incorporate the cream. Although it's unclear which of the Russians came first, the first mention of the word "White Russian" in the sense of a cocktail appeared in California's Oakland Tribune in 1965. It was placed in the newspaper as an insert: "White Russian. 1 oz. each Southern, vodka, cream", with "Southern" referring to Coffee Southern, a contemporary brand of coffee liqueur.

There is a third, and lesser known, Russian, called the Golden Russian. This is quite a distinct drink from the preceding two, in which the vodka acts to take a little of the sweetness off the liqueur, and lime sharpens it up further.

Golden Russian
-1 1/2 measures vodka
-1 measure Galliano
-1/4 measure lime juice

Pour all the ingredients into a rocks glass over plenty of cracked ice, and stir. Add a slice of lime for garnish.