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Chai Toasted Cream White Russian – A Vodka Cocktail

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Last Updated on June 8, 2023 by Leah Hall

We used the Instant Pot for an ingredient in this! A beautiful winter White Russian cocktail recipe!

 

When people think of a pressure cooker like an Instant Pot they don’t associate it with anything to do with a cocktail. But, like we found with our Cherry Toasted Cream Ramos Gin Fizz, you can take a simple ingredient and transform it into something amazing! This can be just by toasting it! And since we still had some toasted cream left over from our first try at toasting cream in an Instant Pot.(Oh, and we loved the results we had with our Cherry Toasted Cream Ramos Gin Fizz!) We wanted to find another cocktail that we could use some toasted cream in!

 

White Russian Cocktail

We turned to another of the classic cream cocktails, the White Russian. This was the starting point for our next cocktail, the Chai Toasted Cream White Russian!

 

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Toasted cream floats on top of a mixture of Kahlua, vodka and chai tea simple syrup, making a Chai Toasted Cream White Russian Cocktail.

What is a White Russian?

Originally invented in the 1960’s, the original recipe calls for vodka, coffee liqueur and cream. It gets its name thanks to the kitschy trend of naming cocktails containing vodka after Russia (Moscow Mules anyone?) It might just be the most famous cream based cocktail, thanks to being featured in the movie, The Big Lebowski. The movie is where Jeff Bridge’s iconic character the Dude chooses to drink White Russians rather than a more “manly” drink!

 

Of course the Dude had his own kitschy name for the White Russian, calling it a “Caucasian”. He does this on a couple of the nine total times he drinks a White Russian in the Big Lebowski!

A Chai Toasted Cream White Russian sits in a rocks glass surrounded by coffee bean garnishes!

Different White Russian

The classic White Russian cocktail is said to be the perfect delivery vehicle for all of man’s culinary vices. Which are fat, sugar, caffeine and alcohol, and while this is true, the recipe could stand to have a bit more flavor added to it. How did we add flavor to a White Russian? Last winter we made a really great Salted Bourbon Butterscotch White Russian which was fantastic, but we didn’t want to go quite that sweet, so how about using some of that Instant Pot toasted cream? It brings all kinds of warm caramel and butterscotch flavors to the party without getting super sweet?

We first found out about toasting cream when we were reading an article by the great folks over at Serious Eats. They grabbed our attention by talking about how toasted cream might be even better than browned butter, plus they said we could use an Instant Pot to make it! Since we had just received an Instant Pot for Christmas, we were pretty exited to see a way to incorporate an Instant Pot into anything with a cocktail!

The Chai Toasted Cream White Russian, fully mixed to create this lovely white cocktail in a rocks glass, served on the rocks.

Toasted Cream Cocktail

What makes toasted cream so special and gives it that wonderful butterscotch and caramel flavor? Toasting the cream causes the sugars and proteins to undergo the Maillard reaction. It is one of the amazing chemical reactions that occurs when food is cooked and transforms those proteins and sugars. They tranform from simple flavors into complex aromatics and nutty flavors.

 

Add in some caramelization from heating and suddenly the cream is transformed from something simple smooth and rich. Then, into an ingredient that is nutty, warm and full of flavor (think rich golden brown cheesecake!)

Toasted cream floats on top of a mixture of Kahlua, vodka and chai tea simple syrup, making a Chai Toasted Cream White Russian Cocktail.

What Ingredients are Needed for the Toasted Cream Chai White Russian?

  • Chai Simple Syrup
    • Chai Tea
    • Sugar
    • Water
  • Chai Toasted Cream White Russian
    • Toasted Cream
    • Vodka
    • Chai Simple Syrup
    • Kahlua Mocha

 

We couldn’t just stop with tweaking one ingredient to add flavor to the White Russian cocktail recipe, so we started thinking about what we could pair up with the toasted cream and the dark flavors of the coffee liqueur. One flavor that we kept coming back to was Chai tea, which not only goes really well with cream, but also has lots of warm baking spice flavors that pair up well with coffee!

If You are Looking for More Vodka Cocktails, Try These!

 

We made a chai tea simple syrup and when added to the White Russian we had made with the toasted cream, we loved the interplay of warm spices of the chai tea, the nutty butterscotch flavors from the toasted cream and the sweet darkness from the coffee liqueur!

 

How did we make the Chai Toasted Cream White Russian?

We like to make our Chai Toasted Cream White Russian cocktail recipe by building it in the glass. Sometimes you hear cocktail recipes call for building cocktails, which means that you add in all the ingredients in the glass it will be served in rather than making it in a shaker or a mixing glass. The reason we like to build a cocktail like the Chai Toasted Cream White Russian is we want to get that gorgeous appearance that you always see in the pictures for White Russians!

Toasted cream is poured into a rocks glass containing a mixture of Kahlua, vodka and chai tea simple syrup, making a Chai Toasted Cream White Russian Cocktail.

How to Make the Cocktail

We start making the Chai Toasted Cream White Russian by adding ice to a rocks glass. Then adding the chai syrup, vodka and coffee liqueur and stirring to mix. Since the cream is the star of a White Russian, we add that in last. Adding the cream in last lets the cream float on top of the spirits, making for a striking contrast between the bright cream and the dark vodka and coffee liqueur!

 

Once we serve the Chai Toasted White Russian, we instruct the drinker to stir it up to fully mix the toasted cream into the spirits. This is so that all the flavors can be enjoyed, almost like a delicious adult milkshake!

The Chai Toasted Cream White Russian, fully mixed to create this lovely white cocktail in a rocks glass, served on the rocks.

The Chai Toasted Cream White Russian should absolutely be on your list of cocktails to try! Full of warm spice flavors, nutty butterscotch and rich coffee flavors, the Chai Toasted Cream White Russian cocktail recipe is a satisfying after dinner cocktail that is just downright delicious! Try out our Carrot Cake White Russian, too!

 

Cheers!

 

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Like this recipe? Try these below, too!

Prettay Prettay Prettay Good Latte Martini with Smirnoff VodkaPrettay Good Latte Martini

 

Raspberry Peach Ramos Gin FizzRaspberry Peach Ramos Gin Fizz

 

Other White Russian Recipes

The Chai Toasted Cream White Russian, fully mixed to create this lovely white cocktail in a rocks glass, served on the rocks.
Yield: 1

Chai Toasted Cream White Russian - A Vodka Cocktail

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

A creamy twist on the classic White Russian cocktail, this toasted cream and chai tea version is sure to be a hit.

Ingredients

Chai White Russian

Chai SImple Syrup

  • 1 chai tea bag
  • 1/2 cup boiling water
  • 1/2 cup sugar

Instructions

For the Chai Simple Syrup

Make a strong chai tea concentrate with boiling water and tea bag. Let steep 8-10 minutes.

Take out tea bag, pour into saucepan.

Add in sugar and bring back to a boil. Reduce liquid down slightly for 3-4 minutes. Cool.

For the Cocktail

Fill a rocks glass with ice.

Combine vodka, kahlua and chai simple syrup in the rocks glass.

Stir.

Top with toasted cream.

Stir to combine when served.

Cheers!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 383Total Fat: 12.6gSaturated Fat: 7.8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 43mgSodium: 84mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 0gSugar: 4.5gProtein: 1.8g

Did you make this recipe?

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strawberryblondiekitchen

Sunday 18th of March 2018

I am so digging this recipe. I absolutely love chai tea and white russians so the combination of the 2 has my mouth tingling with excitement! This will certainly warm you up on a cold winter (or Fall) night!

The 'Noms.

Tuesday 20th of March 2018

Thanks so much! We love the combo of flavors in this cocktail, and may be sipping on this one, even if it gets warm, cheers!

Amanda

Thursday 15th of March 2018

Well you just gave me another reason to love my Instant Pot! haha. I love everything about this cocktail, from the toasted cream to the chai simple syrup. (Chai spices are seriously my fave!) I think you know what I'm going to be sipping on this weekend!

The 'Noms.

Thursday 15th of March 2018

Haha! Hope you try it out, this one is sooo good, and a new favorite of mine! Here's to the magic of the instant pot!

pattysaveurs80

Tuesday 13th of March 2018

Totally in love with your white russian Leah, love all the ingredients and I bet that toasted cream brings it to another level as I agree with you it can be a tinny bit bland! I first got so intrigued with the white russian watching "the Dude" drinking so many of them LOL! That Jeff Bridges, a fine actor and such a hunk, not so in the Big Lebowski, LOL! Hilarious movie!

The 'Noms.

Wednesday 14th of March 2018

Haha, agreed! But, the Big Lebowski makes up for it in the funny factor! Hope you try this cocktail out, cheers!

Dana Sandonato

Monday 12th of March 2018

I absolutely love White Russians, and I love chai. But I've never thought to bring them together. This is such a great idea — what a perfect cold-weather drink! Sadly, we still need this kind of beverage right now. Hopefully not for much longer, but I'll gladly enjoy the spiciness of chai for the time being!

The 'Noms.

Wednesday 14th of March 2018

I can't wait for warmer weather, but I have a feeling this one will be staying around for a while!

Tracy Koslicki

Sunday 11th of March 2018

Wow, toasting the cream! That's so genius and talk about adding another layer of flavors and complexity to a drink! I love me a good white russian and this just takes it to a whooollleee new level!

The 'Noms.

Monday 12th of March 2018

Its sooooo good! I have been putting the toasted cream in everything, my tea, my morning coffee.....LOL! Hope you try this out!

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