The White Russian is a popular cocktail made with vodka, coffee liqueur and cream or milk. It’s a delicious drink, but one that is often assumed to be very high in calories and fat due to the cream.
What’s in a White Russian?
A traditional White Russian contains just three ingredients:
- Vodka – The base spirit, usually 1.5 ounces
- Coffee liqueur – Typically 1 ounce of Kahlua or other coffee liqueur
- Cream – About 1 ounce of heavy cream or milk
Some variations add simple syrup or omit the cream, using milk or cream substitutes instead. But the standard recipe is just vodka, coffee liqueur and cream.
Calories in the ingredients
To determine how many calories are in a White Russian, we need to look at the calorie counts for each ingredient:
Vodka
Vodka is considered one of the lowest calorie alcoholic beverages. A 1.5 ounce shot of vodka contains about:
- 97 calories
- 0 g fat
- 0 g carbohydrates
- 0 g protein
As vodka has no carbohydrates, fat or protein, nearly all of its calories come from the alcohol itself.
Coffee liqueur
The coffee liqueur is the second ingredient. Kahlua is a popular brand used in White Russians. A 1 ounce serving of Kahlua contains:
- 147 calories
- 0 g fat
- 14 g carbohydrates
- 0 g protein
The calories in Kahlua and other coffee liqueurs come from both alcohol and sugar.
Cream
The cream or milk provides the signature white color and creamy texture. Using 1 ounce of heavy cream adds:
- 52 calories
- 5 g fat
- 1 g carbohydrates
- 0 g protein
With virtually no carbs or protein, the calories in cream come from fat.
Some recipes use 2 ounces of cream rather than 1 ounce. This would double the calories and fat.
Total calories in a White Russian
Adding up the nutritional information for each ingredient gives us the total calories in a standard White Russian cocktail:
- Vodka: 97 calories
- Coffee liqueur: 147 calories
- Cream: 52 calories
- Total: 296 calories
So in a typical White Russian containing 1 ounce each of vodka, coffee liqueur and cream, you’re looking at about 300 calories.
This calorie count can vary depending on the specific ingredients used, such as different brands of liquor or using milk rather than cream. But for standard recipes, the calorie count falls around 300 calories.
How does that compare to other cocktails?
At about 300 calories for a standard sized drink, a White Russian is reasonably average in terms of cocktail calories. Here’s how it compares to some other popular cocktails:
| Drink | Calories (approx) |
|---|---|
| Piña Colada | 490 |
| Long Island Iced Tea | 790 |
| Margarita | 280 |
| Mojito | 240 |
| Moscow Mule | 180 |
| Bloody Mary | 160 |
| White Russian | 300 |
From this comparison, you can see the White Russian lands around the middle of the pack in terms of calories. It’s no diet drink, but it’s also far from the highest calorie cocktails.
Tips for lightening up your White Russian
If you’re looking to trim some calories off your White Russian, there are a few easy ways to do it:
Use milk instead of cream
Switching from heavy cream to milk will save you calories and fat. 2% milk has about 50% fewer calories than heavy cream.
Adjust the proportions
Use less coffee liqueur and cream relative to the vodka. A 2:1:1 ratio of vodka, coffee liqueur and cream packs fewer calories than the standard 1:1:1.
Use lower calorie coffee liqueur
Some coffee liqueurs have slightly lower calorie counts than Kahlua. St. George NOLA Coffee Liqueur, for example, has about 10% fewer calories.
Skip the cream entirely
Making a Black Russian by omitting the cream saves over 50 calories. It also slashes the fat content.
The bottom line
A standard White Russian made with 1 part each vodka, coffee liqueur and cream will have around 300 calories. This is moderately high for a cocktail, but much lower than some ultra high calorie options.
There are also easy ways to trim calories in your White Russian, such as using milk instead of cream or adjusting the drink proportions. So while it may not be a diet drink, you can still enjoy a White Russian without too much guilt!
Nutrition facts for White Russian with different ingredients
Here is the nutrition data for some variations on the White Russian, using different types of cream and milk:
White Russian with heavy cream
- 1.5 oz vodka: 97 calories
- 1 oz coffee liqueur: 147 calories
- 1 oz heavy cream: 52 calories
- Total: 296 calories
White Russian with 2% milk
- 1.5 oz vodka: 97 calories
- 1 oz coffee liqueur: 147 calories
- 1 oz 2% milk: 28 calories
- Total: 272 calories
White Russian with nonfat milk
- 1.5 oz vodka: 97 calories
- 1 oz coffee liqueur: 147 calories
- 1 oz nonfat milk: 17 calories
- Total: 261 calories
White Russian with almond milk
- 1.5 oz vodka: 97 calories
- 1 oz coffee liqueur: 147 calories
- 1 oz almond milk: 7 calories
- Total: 251 calories
As you can see, the type of cream or milk used can have a significant impact on the total calorie count. Heavy cream packs the most calories, while non-dairy options like almond milk are lowest.
The impact of multiple servings
Like any cocktail, the calorie count can climb quickly if you have more than one White Russian in a sitting.
Having two White Russians in one night would double the calorie intake to around 600 calories. Consuming three would bring the total to about 900 calories, just from drinks.
It’s important to account for this if planning to have multiple servings at a time. Even reasonably low calorie cocktails like the White Russian can contribute quite a bit to your daily intake if you have more than one.
Should you avoid White Russians if watching calories?
White Russians don’t have to be off limits if you’re carefully watching your calorie intake. Here are some tips:
- Use milk or light cream instead of heavy cream
- Ask for less coffee liqueur and cream than vodka
- Skip cream and enjoy it as a Black Russian
- Sip it slowly and stop at one
- Account for the calories by cutting back elsewhere in your day
You can still enjoy an occasional White Russian without going overboard on calories. Just be mindful of portion sizes and ingredients. And complement it with low calorie mixers like soda water, diet soda or iced tea.
White Russian calories compared to food
To put the 300 calories in a White Russian into perspective, here’s how it compares to the calories in some common foods:
| Food item | Calories |
|---|---|
| Slice of pepperoni pizza | 300 |
| Chicken burrito | 300 |
| Large apple | 130 |
| Egg and cheese breakfast sandwich | 300 |
| Chicken Caesar salad | 365 |
| Small order of french fries | 320 |
| Peanut butter sandwich | 400 |
| White Russian cocktail | 300 |
A White Russian equates to roughly the same calories as popular foods like a slice of pizza, burrito or breakfast sandwich. So while it’s certainly no low calorie drink option, it fits reasonably into a daily calorie allotment.
Ways to burn off the White Russian calories
For a physically active person, the 300 calories in a White Russian can be burned off with moderate exercise:
- 60 minutes of walking = 300 calories
- 45 minutes of weight lifting = 300 calories
- 30 minutes of jogging = 300 calories
- 45 minutes of swimming laps = 300 calories
- 60 minutes of yoga = 300 calories
With just 30-60 minutes of an exercise routine you enjoy, you can easily work off the calorie intake from one cocktail.
Should you make White Russians with whole milk?
Whole milk is sometimes used in White Russians instead of heavy cream. Here’s how it compares nutritionally:
Whole milk
- 1 ounce contains:
- 49 calories
- 2.5g fat
- 3g carbs
Heavy cream
- 1 ounce contains:
- 52 calories
- 5g fat
- 1g carbs
While whole milk is slightly lower in calories and fat than heavy cream, the difference is fairly small. Using whole milk instead of cream saves only about 3 calories and 0.5 grams of fat per ounce.
The flavors also differ, with cream providing a richer, thicker texture. For the classic White Russian taste and mouthfeel, heavy cream is preferred. But whole milk can be used to lighten it up a bit.
Common questions
Here are answers to some common questions about the calorie count of White Russians:
Are White Russians high in fat?
White Russians get about 70% of their calories from alcohol and 30% from fat. So while they do contain fat from the cream, the majority of calories come from the vodka and coffee liqueur. Using low fat milk or smaller amounts of cream can reduce the fat content.
Are White Russians unhealthy?
White Russians don’t provide much in the way of nutritional value, but they can be enjoyed in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet. Limiting portions to 1 drink and using lighter ingredients helps reduce the calorie and fat intake.
Do different coffee liqueurs change the calorie count?
Most coffee liqueurs have very similar calorie counts to Kahlua. Using different brands may alter the calories slightly, but not significantly. Stick to a 1 ounce pour for minimizing calories.
Should you use skim milk in White Russians?
Skim or nonfat milk can be used to lighten the calorie load, but may impact the flavor and texture. Overall, 2% milk provides the best balance of reducing fat without compromising too much on taste.
The bottom line
A standard White Russian made with vodka, coffee liqueur and cream contains around 300 calories, which is moderately high for cocktails but can fit into daily calorie goals. Choosing lower fat dairy options, adjusting drink proportions and sticking to one drink are good strategies for keeping White Russians from becoming too high in calories. While not the lowest calorie cocktail choice, White Russians don’t have to sabotage your healthy diet when enjoyed in moderation.
