Spiced Rum White Russian Recipe

I'll never forget that night in Boracay when I stumbled into this tiny beachside bar and ordered what I thought was just another White Russian. The bartender smiled and said "trust me" before swapping the vodka for spiced rum. One sip and I was completely hooked. The warm spices mixed with that creamy coffee flavor was amazing.

I spent the rest of my trip trying to recreate it, and now I'm sharing my perfected version with you. This isn't your typical White Russian, it's smoother, warmer, and somehow tastes like vacation in a glass.

The best part? You only need three ingredients and five minutes to make bar-quality goodness at home.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This spiced rum white russian is pure comfort in a glass. The warm spices from the rum create this incredible depth that regular vodka just can't match. You'll love how the cinnamon and vanilla notes play with the rich coffee flavors, creating something that tastes way more sophisticated than the simple three ingredients it takes to make it.

The best part? It's ridiculously easy to make. No complicated techniques, no fancy equipment, just simple mixing that anyone can master. Plus, that gorgeous layered look never fails to impress guests, even though it takes less than 5 minutes to create.

Ingredients

• 1 oz spiced rum (Captain Morgan or Kraken work beautifully)
• 1 oz coffee liqueur (Kahlúa is my preference)
• 2 oz heavy cream
• Ice cubes
• Ground cinnamon for garnish
• Star anise or cinnamon stick for garnish

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These ingredients work together like magic. The spiced rum brings those warm baking spice notes that make this drink special, while the coffee liqueur adds richness and depth. Heavy cream creates that luxurious mouthfeel and beautiful layered presentation that makes this cocktail look as good as it tastes.

Equipment

• Old Fashioned Glass - The perfect size for this cocktail and shows off those beautiful layers
• Jigger or Shot Glass - Essential for getting the ratios right (trust me, precise measurements make all the difference)
• Bar Spoon - The long handle helps with layering the cream perfectly
• Ice Scoop - Keeps everything hygienic and prevents your hands from warming the ice
• Cocktail Shaker (Optional) - Only if you prefer to pre-mix the rum and coffee liqueur

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How To Make

1. Start by chilling your old fashioned glass in the freezer for 5 minutes. This simple step keeps your drink colder longer and prevents the ice from melting too quickly. While you wait, gather all your ingredients and equipment.
2. Remove the glass from the freezer and fill it completely with ice cubes. Don't be shy with the ice - you want it packed full to maintain that perfect temperature throughout your drinking experience.
3. Pour the spiced rum directly over the ice, measuring carefully with your jigger. The rum should hit the ice with a satisfying clink, and you'll already start smelling those wonderful spice notes.
4. Add the coffee liqueur to the glass, pouring it slowly over the rum. You'll see the beautiful dark color start to develop as these two ingredients begin to marry together.
5. Give the rum and coffee liqueur a gentle stir with your bar spoon, just 3-4 slow rotations. You want to combine them without aggressively melting the ice or creating too much dilution.
6. Now for the signature layering technique that makes this drink so visually stunning. Hold your bar spoon upside down, positioning it just above the surface of the liquid. Very slowly pour the heavy cream over the back of the spoon, allowing it to gently float on top of the darker mixture below.
7. Finish with a light dusting of ground cinnamon over the cream layer. For an extra special presentation, add a cinnamon stick or star anise as garnish. Serve immediately while everything is perfectly chilled.

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Tips from Lola's Kitchen

• Use the densest ice cubes you can find - they melt slower and keep your drink from getting watery
• Keep your cream well-chilled in the fridge; room temperature cream won't layer as nicely
• Practice the layering technique with water first if you're nervous about wasting ingredients
• The closer your spoon is to the liquid surface, the better your layers will turn out
• Don't skip chilling the glass - it makes a noticeable difference in taste and presentation
• Quality spiced rum is worth the investment; you can really taste the difference

Substitutions

• Heavy cream: Half-and-half for lighter texture, coconut cream for dairy-free option, or whole milk in a pinch
• Spiced rum: Dark rum with a pinch of cinnamon, bourbon for a different warmth, or vanilla vodka to stay closer to traditional
• Coffee liqueur: Cold brew concentrate mixed with simple syrup, or homemade coffee syrup
• Garnish: Nutmeg, cocoa powder, or a few coffee beans work beautifully

Troubleshooting

• Cream sinking instead of floating: Your spoon is too far from the liquid surface or cream is too warm
• Drink tastes too strong: Add an extra half ounce of cream or switch to half-and-half
• Too sweet for your taste: Use less coffee liqueur (try 0.75 oz) or choose a drier spiced rum
• Layers separating too quickly: Chill your cream thoroughly before using
• Ice melting too fast: Use larger, denser ice cubes and ensure your glass is properly chilled

Storage & Reheating

• Pre-batch the base: Mix rum and coffee liqueur up to 1 month ahead, store in airtight bottle in fridge
• Individual servings: Never store with cream already added - always add fresh before serving
• Make-ahead for parties: Prepare base mixture, keep cream chilled separately, assemble just before serving
• Leftover ingredients: Coffee liqueur lasts indefinitely, spiced rum keeps for years, use cream within expiration date

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FAQ

Related

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Spiced Rum White Russian Recipe

Spiced Rum White Russian is a warming twist on the classic cocktail that replaces vodka with spiced rum. This three-ingredient drink layers spiced rum and coffee liqueur over ice, then tops with heavy cream that floats beautifully on the surface. The spiced rum brings notes of cinnamon, vanilla, and warm baking spices that complement the rich coffee flavors, creating a more complex and cozy drinking experience than the traditional version. Served in an old fashioned glass and garnished with ground cinnamon, it takes just five minutes to prepare and delivers bar-quality results at home.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 2 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 7 minutes mins

Course Drinks

Cuisine Filipino, Russian

Servings 1 cocktail

Difficulty Easy

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

• 1 oz spiced rum Captain Morgan or Kraken work beautifully
• 1 oz coffee liqueur Kahlúa is my preference
• 2 oz heavy cream
• Ice cubes
• Ground cinnamon for garnish
• Star anise or cinnamon stick for garnish

Instructions

 

• Start by chilling your old fashioned glass in the freezer for 5 minutes. This simple step keeps your drink colder longer and prevents the ice from melting too quickly. While you wait, gather all your ingredients and equipment.
• Remove the glass from the freezer and fill it completely with ice cubes. Don't be shy with the ice - you want it packed full to maintain that perfect temperature throughout your drinking experience.
• Pour the spiced rum directly over the ice, measuring carefully with your jigger. The rum should hit the ice with a satisfying clink, and you'll already start smelling those wonderful spice notes.
• Add the coffee liqueur to the glass, pouring it slowly over the rum. You'll see the beautiful dark color start to develop as these two ingredients begin to marry together.
• Give the rum and coffee liqueur a gentle stir with your bar spoon, just 3-4 slow rotations. You want to combine them without aggressively melting the ice or creating too much dilution.
• Now for the signature layering technique that makes this drink so visually stunning. Hold your bar spoon upside down, positioning it just above the surface of the liquid. Very slowly pour the heavy cream over the back of the spoon, allowing it to gently float on top of the darker mixture below.
• Finish with a light dusting of ground cinnamon over the cream layer. For an extra special presentation, add a cinnamon stick or star anise as garnish. Serve immediately while everything is perfectly chilled.

Tips from Lola's Kitchen

• Use the densest ice cubes you can find - they melt slower and keep your drink from getting watery
• Keep your cream well-chilled in the fridge; room temperature cream won't layer as nicely
• Practice the layering technique with water first if you're nervous about wasting ingredients
• The closer your spoon is to the liquid surface, the better your layers will turn out
• Don't skip chilling the glass - it makes a noticeable difference in taste and presentation
• Quality spiced rum is worth the investment; you can really taste the difference

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

The Story Behind Spiced Rum White Russian

The White Russian cocktail has been a beloved classic since the 1960s, originally created as a variation of the Black Russian by simply adding cream to the vodka and coffee liqueur base. This simple three-ingredient cocktail gained massive popularity after appearing in the cult film "The Big Lebowski," where it became the signature drink of Jeff Bridge's character, The Dude.

The spiced rum variation emerged from creative bartenders looking to add warmth and complexity to the traditional recipe. By swapping vodka for spiced rum, the drink transforms from a clean, neutral base to something with personality and depth. The warm spices commonly found in spiced rum: cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and allspice, create natural harmony with coffee flavors, making this substitution feel intentional rather than experimental.

Spiced rum itself has deep Caribbean roots, originally developed by sailors and traders who would add spices to their rum rations to improve flavor and mask harsh notes. Popular brands like Captain Morgan and Sailor Jerry helped bring spiced rum into mainstream cocktail culture, making it accessible for home bartenders to experiment with in classic recipes.

This particular variation has gained popularity in tropical destinations and beach bars, where the warming spices provide comfort during cooler evening hours while still maintaining that vacation-worthy indulgence. The drink bridges the gap between summer refreshment and winter comfort, making it perfect for year-round enjoyment.

The beauty of the Spiced Rum White Russian lies in its simplicity, it takes everything people love about the original and elevates it with just one ingredient swap. The result is a cocktail that feels both familiar and exciting, traditional yet modern, making it the perfect choice for both cocktail newcomers and experienced home bartenders.