There’s just something special about pairing caramel and sea salt flavors with a classic White Russian. It’s creamy, a little sweet, a little salty, and it tastes like dessert in a glass. This is the drink I reach for once the holidays roll around and the kids are finally tucked in. A holiday treat you’ll find on repeat this season!
Why You’ll Love It
- Ready in 10 minutes: no fancy bartending skills needed.
- Sweet and salty: caramel and flaky sea salt make every sip feel special.
- Holiday-worthy: the caramel-drizzled glass and whipped cream topping look so pretty on a party tray.
- Only a handful of ingredients: you probably have most of them already.
Tips
- Chill the glass in the freezer for a few minutes so the caramel sets and clings to the sides.
- Start with 1 oz of cream and add more if you want it creamier.
- Use flaky sea salt, not table salt. The big flakes give a pop of salt without overpowering the drink.
- Warm the caramel slightly so it drizzles easily.
- Homemade whipped cream takes just a couple of minutes: whip cold heavy cream with a little sugar until soft peaks form.
Variations
- Party batch: multiply the vodka, Kahlua and cream by the number of guests and stir them together in a pitcher. Keep it chilled and pour over ice in caramel-drizzled glasses. Let everyone add their own whipped cream, caramel and salt.
- Lighter: use half & half and skip the whipped cream. Finish with just a caramel drizzle and sea salt.
- Non-alcoholic: stir cold brew coffee with cream and a spoonful of caramel sauce, then pour over ice in a caramel-drizzled glass. Top with whipped cream and flakey sea salt.
- Frozen: blend everything with a cup of ice for a milkshake-style treat.
Serving & Holiday Ideas
- Serve it as an after-dinner dessert drink on Thanksgiving or Christmas Eve.
- Set up a White Russian bar at your holiday party with caramel, whipped cream, sea salt and cinnamon sticks.
- Pair it with Christmas cookies, a cookie box or a slice of pie.
- It’s great for girls’ night, gift-wrapping nights, or holiday movies by the tree.
FAQs
- What is a salted caramel White Russian? A twist on the classic White Russian (vodka, coffee liqueur and cream) made with salted caramel vodka, a caramel-drizzled glass and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.
- Can I use regular vodka? Yes. Add a little extra caramel to the glass to keep that salted caramel flavor.
- Half & half or heavy cream? Either works. Half & half is lighter, and heavy cream makes it richer.
- Can I make it ahead? Yes. Stir the vodka, Kahlua and cream together in a pitcher and keep it chilled for a few hours. Add the caramel, ice, whipped cream and salt right before serving.
- What glass should I use? A small tumbler (rocks glass) shows off the caramel drizzle best.
OTHER HOLIDAY GOODIES
Peppermint Martini
Butter Crunch Toffee
Let’s Connect!
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Salted Caramel White Russian
There's just something special about pairing caramel and sea salt flavors with a classic White Russian.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces salted caramel vodka
- 2 ounces Kahlua
- 1-2 ounces half & half or heavy whipping cream
- whipped cream
- caramel for drizzling glass and whipping cream
- flakey sea salt
Instructions
- Drizzle caramel around sides of a small tumbler.
- In a shaker filled with ice, combine vodka and kahlua. Shake well.
- Fill tumbler glass with ice. Pour vodka/kahula over ice.
- Add half & half.
- Top with a generous scoop of homemade whipped cream. Drizzle with caramel and a healthy pinch of sea salt.
