I love White Russians. But one night I decided to try something different. Instead of vodka, I used spiced rum – and it was a game-changer! The rum adds this nice warm, cozy flavor that makes the drink perfect for relaxing at home.
The best thing about this recipe? It’s super easy to make. You don’t need any special skills or fancy tools. Just mix, pour, and in five minutes, you’ll have a drink that looks and tastes amazing.
Give it a try. I bet this will become your new favorite drink for quiet nights at home or when friends come over. It’s simple, delicious, and always impresses.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in just 5 minutes with simple ingredients
- Perfectly balanced between sweet, creamy, and warming
- Customizable to your taste preferences
- Impressive presentation with minimal effort
- Great for both casual sipping and special occasions
- No complicated techniques required
Quick Facts
Spiced Rum White Russian is a cozy twist on the classic White Russian cocktail. Instead of using vodka like the original recipe, this version uses spiced rum, which adds warm notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and other baking spices.
The drink combines spiced rum with coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa) and cream, served over ice and often garnished with a sprinkle of cinnamon or star anise. It’s a creamy, slightly sweet cocktail that’s perfect for sipping on cold evenings or enjoying as a dessert drink.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Servings: 1 cocktail
- Calories: Approximately 280 kcal per serving
Equipment Needed
- Cocktail Shaker or Mixing Glass: For combining ingredients smoothly without over-dilution
- Jigger or Shot Glass: For precise measurements (1 oz and 2 oz sides)
- Bar Spoon: For gentle stirring and layering techniques
- Old Fashioned Glass: The traditional serving vessel that holds the perfect amount
- Ice Scoop: For handling ice hygienically
- Fine Mesh Strainer (Optional): For removing small ice chips if desired
- Cocktail Picks (Optional): For garnish presentation
Ingredients
- 1 oz spiced rum (like Captain Morgan or Kraken)
- 1 oz coffee liqueur (Kahlúa recommended)
- 2 oz heavy cream
- Ice cubes
- Ground cinnamon (for garnish)
- Star anise or cinnamon stick (for garnish)
How To Make
1. Before you start, put your glass in the freezer for about 5 minutes to chill it. This will keep your drink cold longer. While waiting, gather all your ingredients and tools.
2. Take your glass out of the freezer and fill it with ice cubes. Make sure to fill it almost to the top.
3. Pour 1 ounce of spiced rum into your glass. You can use the bigger side of your measuring tool (jigger) for this.
4. Add 1 ounce of coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa) to the glass with the rum.
5. Use your long spoon to gently stir the rum and coffee liqueur together. Just a few slow stirs will do – you don’t want to melt too much ice.
6. Hold your spoon upside down over the drink, just above the liquid. Slowly pour 2 ounces of heavy cream over the back of the spoon. This helps the cream float on top of the drink instead of mixing in right away. If you’re new to this, you can practice with water first.
If you want to make it look extra nice, sprinkle a tiny bit of ground cinnamon on top of the cream. You can also add a cinnamon stick or star anise on top.
Serve your drink right away while it’s nice and cold. That’s it, you’ve just made a perfect Spiced Rum White Russian.
Pro Tips for Perfect Results
- Temperature Matters: Use well-frozen, dense ice cubes to prevent quick dilution
- Quality Ingredients: Premium spiced rum makes a noticeable difference
- Cream Technique: The closer your spoon is to the liquid, the better your layers will be
- Glass Choice: A weighted bottom glass helps maintain temperature
- Measurement Precision: Stick to the ratios for the first try, then adjust to taste
Serving Suggestions
- Pair with dark chocolate truffles for an indulgent dessert combo
- Serve alongside butter cookies during holiday gatherings
- Present on a mirrored tray with LED tea lights for dramatic effect
- Offer as part of a coffee-and-cocktails dessert course
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Cream Not Layering? Your spoon might be too far from the liquid surface
- Drink Too Strong? Add an extra 0.5 oz of cream or use half-and-half
- Too Sweet? Use a drier spiced rum or reduce coffee liqueur to 0.75 oz
- Separating Too Quickly? Your cream might be too warm – chill it first
Ingredient Alternatives
- Cream: Half-and-half, whole milk, oat milk, or coconut cream
- Spiced Rum: Dark rum, bourbon, or vanilla vodka
- Coffee Liqueur: Cold brew concentrate + simple syrup
- Garnishes: Nutmeg, cocoa powder, or coffee beans
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Pre-Batching: Mix rum and coffee liqueur up to 1 month ahead
- Storage: Keep pre-batched mixture in an airtight bottle in the fridge
- Serving: Add cream and ice just before serving
- Do Not: Store with cream already added
Variations
- Frozen Version
- Blend with crushed ice for a slushy consistency
- Perfect for summer entertaining
- Holiday Spice
- Add 2 drops vanilla extract
- Include a pinch of nutmeg
- Garnish with mini gingerbread cookie
- Dessert Edition
- Float vanilla ice cream instead of cream
- Drizzle with caramel sauce
- Rim glass with cocoa powder
Recipe Success Tips
- Let ingredients come to room temperature for optimal mixing
- Invest in large, clear ice cubes for both function and presentation
- Keep glasses and cream chilled for best results
- Take photos before the layers start to blend
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make this non-alcoholic? A: Yes! Use alcohol-free coffee syrup and rum extract for a virgin version.
Q: How long can I store the pre-mixed base? A: The rum and coffee liqueur mixture can be stored refrigerated for up to 1 month.
Q: Is this gluten-free? A: Most spiced rums are gluten-free, but always check specific brands.
Q: Can I make this for a crowd? A: Yes! Multiply ingredients by number of servings. Pre-mix base ingredients, then add cream individually.
And there you have it, your very own Spiced Rum White Russian! Don’t worry if your cream doesn’t layer perfectly the first time, mine definitely didn’t! The more you make it, the better you’ll get.
I’d love to see how yours turned out! Share a photo in the comments below. Did you try any fun variations? Maybe you discovered a dairy-free alternative that worked great, or found the perfect spiced rum brand? Let me know!
Recipe Card
Spiced Rum White Russian Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 oz spiced rum like Captain Morgan or Kraken
- 1 oz coffee liqueur Kahlúa recommended
- 2 oz heavy cream
- Ice cubes
- Ground cinnamon for garnish
- Star anise or cinnamon stick for garnish
Instructions
- Before you start, put your glass in the freezer for about 5 minutes to chill it. This will keep your drink cold longer. While waiting, gather all your ingredients and tools.
- Take your glass out of the freezer and fill it with ice cubes. Make sure to fill it almost to the top.
- Pour 1 ounce of spiced rum into your glass. You can use the bigger side of your measuring tool (jigger) for this.
- Add 1 ounce of coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa) to the glass with the rum.
- Use your long spoon to gently stir the rum and coffee liqueur together. Just a few slow stirs will do – you don’t want to melt too much ice.
- Now comes the fun part. Hold your spoon upside down over the drink, just above the liquid. Slowly pour 2 ounces of heavy cream over the back of the spoon. This helps the cream float on top of the drink instead of mixing in right away. If you’re new to this, you can practice with water first!
- If you want to make it look extra nice, sprinkle a tiny bit of ground cinnamon on top of the cream. You can also add a cinnamon stick or star anise on top.
- Serve your drink right away while it's nice and cold.