The Salted-Caramel White Russian takes the classic and adds caramel plus salt. Still vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream – just more dessert-like. The salt enhances the sweetness rather than smothering it. If you love the original White Russian, you’ll love this twist. If you find the original too bland, you’ll love this even more.
And this is what you’ll need for the Salted-Caramel White Russian
4 cl vodka
3 cl coffee liqueur
3 cl cream
1.5 cl salted-caramel syrup
Garnish: caramel and pinch of salt
Key points
Don’t shake the cream. It can either be gently poured on top—keeping it on the surface—or stirred in briefly. If you shake it, you’ll end up with a thin, foamy mess no one wants. The salt on top isn’t just decoration: it cuts through the sweetness of the caramel and coffee liqueur, bringing the vodka back into play. Without salt, the drink becomes one-dimensional and overly sweet.
Variations
- Espresso Salted Caramel — reduce by 1 cl coffee liqueur and add 1 cl cold espresso instead—more coffee, less sugar.
- Frozen Salted-Caramel Russian — Blend everything with crushed ice and serve as a milkshake-style drink.
Frequently asked questions
Which coffee liqueur?
A drier coffee liqueur works better than the sweetest varieties. Too much sugar from the liqueur plus caramel will make the drink cloying.
Which cream?
Heavy cream with at least 30 percent fat. Coffee cream is too thin and will lose structure in the drink.
Can I leave out the salt?
Yes, but then it’s just a sweet caramel White Russian. The salt makes all the difference.
