Brown Sugar White Russian

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How to Make a Brown Sugar White Russian You’ll Crave Year-Round

This Brown Sugar White Russian is smooth, sweet, and wildly delicious—think of it as the cozy cousin of the classic cocktail. We’re swapping out the cold brew from our previous version and letting the homemade brown sugar syrup take center stage. The result? A rich, velvety cocktail that feels indulgent without being fussy. With just vodka, Kahlua (or use our homemade coffee liqueur recipe instead!), brown sugar syrup, and a splash of half n half, heavy cream, or milk, you’ve got a drink that’s elegant enough for a dinner party but easy enough to whip up on a Tuesday night.

Wondering what makes this version so special compared to the others?

If you’ve been around here before, you know we’ve talked about White Russians a lot—from the coffee-spiked Cold Brew White Russian to the no-fuss Cold Brew Black Russian. (You’ll find them all tucked into my coffee cocktail collection if you want a refresher or feel like mixing things up tonight!)

But this version? The Brown Sugar White Russian is your go-to when you want something sweet and smooth, but don’t feel like brewing coffee first. We’re leaning into that deep molasses note from the syrup, and it plays so well with the coffee liqueur. You still get the creamy texture we all love in a White Russian, but with a richer, warmer sweetness that makes this cocktail feel downright luxurious.

Honestly, if you’ve never made your own brown sugar syrup before, don’t worry—I’ll walk you through it. It takes minutes and you’ll want to drizzle it on everything once you try it (coffee, oats, pancakes, your morning spoonful of yogurt… trust me).

So grab your favorite rocks glass, fill it with ice, and let’s get mixing. By the end of this post, you’ll not only know how to make a Brown Sugar White Russian—you’ll feel like a home cocktail pro. And as always, I’m right here cheering you on.

Quick White Russian Rundown

Before we dive into this brown sugar twist, let’s take a quick moment to revisit the classics. If you’re new to the world of White Russians (or just need a fun refresher), here’s how this cocktail fits into the family. It all started with the bold and boozy Black Russian, and from there, things got a little creamier, a little sweeter—and a whole lot more fun for us coffee and cocktail lovers.

Here’s your quick and cozy rundown:

• Black Russian
  • 1½ oz Vodka
  • ¾ oz Kahlua
  • Served over ice—bold, simple, and no-frills.
    
• Sweet Black Russian
  • 1 oz Vodka
  • 1 oz Kahlua
  • A slightly sweeter version of the classic, with equal parts for a smoother sip.
    
• Classic White Russian
  • 1 oz Vodka
  • 1 oz Kahlua
  • Topped with milk, cream, or half-and-half.
  • (You can also use the Black Russian base and just float the cream on top!)
    
• Cold Brew White Russian without Kahlua
  • 1½ oz Cold brew coffee
  • ½ oz Sugar syrup
  • 1 oz Vodka
  • Half-and-half (or whole milk or heavy cream)
  • A reader favorite that brings coffee and cocktails together in one glorious glass.
    

🍸 P.S. You can also swap out store-bought Kahlua for my homemade coffee liqueur. It’s rich, smooth, and just the thing to make your White Russians even more special.

Now that we’ve got our basics down, you’ll see exactly where this Brown Sugar White Russian fits in—and why it’s about to become your new favorite.

Ingredients you need

• Vodka – I love using vanilla vodka here for a subtle twist, but classic vodka works beautifully too.
• Coffee liqueur – Either store-bought Kahlua or my rich, homemade version will bring that deep coffee sweetness to life.
• Brown sugar syrup – Homemade gives you the warmest molasses notes, but a quality store-bought syrup will still do the trick if you’re short on time.
• Cream, whole milk, or half-and-half – Go with what you love. Cream makes it extra indulgent, while whole milk keeps things lighter.
• Ice cubes – Enough to chill your glass without watering it down too quickly.

How To Make a Brown Sugar White Russian From Scratch

Step 1: Fill your glass with ice.
Grab your favorite rocks glass and fill it up with cubed ice—just enough to keep things chilled without watering the drink down too quickly.

Step 2: Add the vodka, coffee liqueur, and brown sugar syrup.
Pour each one right over the ice. The brown sugar syrup adds that warm molasses hug we’re after—so don’t skip it!

Step 3: Stir gently.
Give it a quick stir to blend the flavors and chill everything down nicely.

Step 4: Float the cream.
Now for the magic touch: slowly pour your cream (or milk) (if you fancy, you can pour it over the back of a spoon so it gently floats on top).

Step 5: Serve and enjoy!
You can sip it as-is with that dreamy layer on top, or give it a swirl for that classic creamy consistency. It’s cozy cocktail bliss either way.

🌿 Dairy-free option? Absolutely! Try it with coconut cream or Oatly’s half-and-half for a plant-based version that’s just as delicious.

Products

• Measuring tools / Jigger
• Bar spoon
• Serving glass

Variations to Try

White Russian with a Vanilla Twist

Give your White Russian a subtle upgrade by swapping in vanilla vodka. The soft vanilla notes bring a gentle sweetness and a touch of creaminess that pairs beautifully with bold cold brew and rich cream or milk.

This small change deepens the flavor and makes the cocktail feel extra special—like a little dessert in a glass. Just replace regular vodka with vanilla vodka and follow the usual recipe steps for a wonderfully nuanced twist.

You can also use vanilla vodka to elevate both the traditional White Russian and Black Russian with Kahlua—it adds just the right hint of indulgence.

Shaken White Russian

Looking for a lighter, frothier version of your favorite cocktail? Try a Shaken White Russian! By shaking the vodka, coffee liqueur, and milk with ice, you introduce a touch of air that gives the drink a smooth, milkshake-like texture.

Add all your ingredients to a shaker filled with ice, shake until cold and frothy, then strain into a fresh glass of ice. The result is cool, creamy, and a little extra refreshing—perfect for warmer days or when you want a softer take on the classic.

This method also works beautifully with the cold brew version for a chilled, silky sip.

Cold Brew White Russian with Spiced Rum

Since Kahlua is essentially a rum-based coffee liqueur, why not bring those flavors back by swapping spiced rum for vodka in your Cold Brew White Russian?

This twist adds warm, caramel-like notes from the rum that mimic the classic depth of Kahlua—without using it directly. It’s a clever way to build flavor while keeping things interesting.

Here’s how to make it:

• Fill your glass with ice.
• Pour in the cold brew.
• In a small cup, mix the spiced rum and brown sugar syrup together.
• Add the rum mixture to the glass.
• Top with your preferred milk or half-and-half.
• Stir gently and enjoy!

It’s a smooth, spiced variation with a nod to tradition—ideal for cozy evenings or when you’re craving something with a little extra warmth.

More Recipes and Tips You Might Enjoy:

• Cold Brew Brown Sugar White Russian {Dairy-free} coming soon
• Lavender Cold Brew Tonic
• Cold Brew Negroni
• Iced Irish Coffee
• Cold Brew Black Russian
• Cold Brew White Russian
• Nespresso Martini
• Mocha Martini
• National Irish Coffee Day
• Mudslide Cocktail with Homemade Coffee Liqueur
• Mexican Coffee
• Strawberry Iced Coffee with Cold Brew
• How to make Iced Chocolate Almond Milk Shaken Espresso
• Eggnog and Kahlúa Cocktail for Two

If you make this recipe, let me know how you liked it by ★★★★★ star rating it and leaving a comment below. This would be awesome! You can also sign up for our Newsletter or follow me on Pinterest or Instagram and share your creation with me. Just tag me @coffeewithnora and hashtag #coffeewithnora_recipes, so I don’t miss it.