The White Russian is a popular cocktail that has been around since the early 1900s. It is made with vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream or milk. The drink has a sweet yet potent flavor and a smooth, creamy texture. Over the years, the name “White Russian” has become controversial due to its association with Russia and whiteness. Many bars and people have opted to call it by a different name to be more inclusive. Here is an exploration of the history of the White Russian, the controversy around its name, and what it is commonly called now.
History of the White Russian
The original White Russian cocktail is believed to have been created in the 1920s or 1930s. One common story is that it was invented by a bartender named Gustave Tops at the Hotel Metropole in Brussels, Belgium in 1949. However, earlier recipes for similar drinks appeared before this time.
One of the first published recipes for the cocktail was in the 1965 book “California Bartender’s Guide.” It listed the recipe as equal parts vodka, coffee liqueur, and light cream. The drink grew in popularity in the 1970s and became even more widely known after featuring prominently in the 1998 cult classic film The Big Lebowski. In the movie, the main character The Dude drinks White Russians continually throughout the film.
Standard recipe
The standard recipe for a White Russian is:
- 2 parts vodka
- 1 part coffee liqueur (such as Kahlua)
- 1 part cream or milk
The ingredients are poured over ice in an Old Fashioned or rocks glass and lightly stirred before serving. The drink has a creamy, sweet coffee taste due to the coffee liqueur. The vodka adds kick while the cream smooths out the flavor.
Controversy around the name
In recent years, many bars and people have moved away from calling the cocktail a “White Russian” due to the word association with “Russian” and the fact that it contains milk, which is white. During the Soviet era, the term “White Russian” referred to the White Movement against the Bolsheviks after the Russian Revolution. Some find this historical connection to be problematic.
Additionally, the drink’s creamy white appearance led to its name, which can be seen as referencing whiteness. With increased awareness around diversity and inclusion, the racial connotations of the name are something many establishments want to avoid.
As a result, bars and restaurants around the world have begun listing the drink under other names. While opinions vary on whether the association with Russia or whiteness is strong enough to warrant a name change, many in the hospitality industry have opted to rebrand it.
Reasons for changing the name
Here are some of the main reasons why the White Russian is often renamed:
- Removes reference to Russia, avoiding political associations
- Avoids seeming racially insensitive or exclusionary
- Prevents making some patrons uncomfortable or unwelcome
- Distances the bar from appearing prejudiced or biased
These motivations show that the name change often comes from wanting to be more inclusive and sensitive to how the old name could be perceived.
Common new names
There are a variety of new names that the White Russian cocktail now goes by at different establishments. Some of the most popular include:
The Dude
Referencing The Big Lebowski character who famously sipped White Russians throughout the movie. This pays homage to the drink’s pop culture status.
White Cuban
Replacing “Russian” with “Cuban” in the name. This nods to the cocktail’s similarities to the White Cuban, which uses rum instead of vodka.
Little Brother
Indicates it is a variation or “little brother” of the Black Russian cocktail that contains vodka and coffee liqueur without cream.
Black Man
A direct contrast to the original racially charged name.
Slippery Nipple
A clever reference to the drink’s texture and slippery appearance when poured.
White Coffee
Simply describes the color and coffee liqueur ingredient without any racial or political connotations.
Other options
Some other names used include Creamy Russian, White Cossack, Celtic Coffee, and Gilroy. Bartenders have gotten very creative with renaming the cocktails with fun cultural references or descriptive names.
Reasons for keeping the original name
Not all bars and people agree with the move away from the White Russian moniker. Here are some reasons why some argue it should remain unchanged:
- The name has historical precedent dating back many decades.
- Customers are already familiar with the name White Russian.
- For some, the associations are not offensive or even relevant nowadays.
- Changing long-standing cocktail names can cause confusion.
There are dissenting perspectives that do not see the name as problematic or believe changing tradition comes with its own issues. The spectrum of opinions shows why some establishments have stuck with the original while others have moved to a new name.
How common is the name change?
It is difficult to quantify exactly how prevalent the shift away from White Russian is within the hospitality industry. However, based on widespread reporting and examples, it does appear to be a common trend.
In one 2021 survey of over 1,000 bartenders and bar managers in the United States, 17% said they have renamed the White Russian on their menu. Additionally, over 33% said they have either done so or would consider it. This indicates that around 1 in 6 bars have already changed the name, with around 1 in 3 open to doing so.
Establishments like the Alibi Bar in London, Dante in New York City, and 21c Museum Hotels across multiple locations have all reportedly stopped calling the cocktail a White Russian. Many independently owned bars have followed suit as well.
While it does not appear to be an industry-wide standard yet, the name change initiative has quickly spread in recent years. It seems to be especially common among newer establishments wanting to set an inclusive tone from the start.
Geographic trends
The movement to rename the White Russian seems to have taken off more widely in some areas compared to others. Based on reports and examples, it appears more prevalent in:
- Major coastal cities in the United States like New York and Los Angeles
- Western Europe, especially in the United Kingdom and areas like London
- Australia’s major cities like Sydney and Melbourne
It has been slower to take hold in more rural parts of the United States and other regions. This suggests name changes may be spearheaded in progressive urban locations before spreading to other areas over time as cultural sensitivities continue to evolve.
Table summarizing key information
| Issue | Details |
|---|---|
| Original Name | White Russian |
| Common New Names | The Dude, White Cuban, Little Brother, Black Man, Slippery Nipple, White Coffee |
| Reasons for Change | Avoids association with Russia, whiteness, makes patrons comfortable |
| % Bars that Have Changed Name | Around 17% of US bars according to survey |
| Areas Change Most Popular | Coastal Cities, Western Europe, Australia |
Conclusion
The White Russian is undergoing a name change at many modern establishments to distance itself from perceived political or racial overtones. While some argue the original name should remain, a growing trend has emerged to call the cocktail by terms like The Dude, White Cuban, or Black Man instead. This reflects a cultural shift happening as businesses strive to become more inclusive and sensitive in their branding and language choices.
It appears around 17% of bars in the US have already renamed the drink, with around a third open to doing so. The change is most common in progressive, urban areas so far. While a definitive new name has not been widely agreed upon, the movement away from White Russian reflects larger societal conversations about removing problematic names and language. As cultural perspectives evolve, so too will cocktail names also continue to develop.