Creamy Coconut White Russian.
The coziest Creamy Coconut White Russian…for all the festive nights ahead. Homemade cinnamon vanilla simple syrup, mixed with the classic White Russian ingredients of vodka and Kahlúa. But my seasonal twist? Creamy coconut milk and a splash of coconut rum, which add just the right amount of coconutty flavor. This is the perfect holiday twist on the classic White Russian cocktail, and it’s a delicious December treat!
Hey, hi, and happy Saturday! Only one more Saturday left until Christmas and I’m rolling out my favorite cocktails just in time. Or at least I’m trying to anyway!
A good White Russian is one of my favorite holiday drinks. It all started a few years back after I shared one of my first ever holiday drinks, The North Pole Cocktail. To this day that drink is one of my most favorite drinks I’ve ever shared. It’s sweet, it’s over the top, and it’s festive.
But most importantly? It introduced me to the deliciousness that’s in the combination of Kahlúa, vodka, and cream. It’s a cocktail that tastes like dessert, and it might just be my favorite. I’ve loved Kahlúa since I was a kid, which I know sounds bad, but my mom puts it in her Christmas Eve Death By Chocolate. Just a little goes a long way and it’s that splash of Kahlúa that makes her Christmas Eve dessert special.
The point is…I love Kahlúa during the holidays.
Enter this White Russian…
If Christmas had a cocktail, this would be it.
It’s a special one that’s only fitting for the holiday season. It’s hinted with cinnamon and vanilla. There’s a touch of coffee flavor from the Kahlúa, and a bit of a kick from the vodka. The coconut milk makes it luscious, creamy, and perfect.
You really can’t go wrong with a combo like that. My recommendation? Rim each glass in a mix of sweet coconut and sugar, and then top each drink off with a cute little cinnamon stick. It’s a bit over the top, but since it’s the holidays, it’s totally ok. Plus, it’s the end of 2020…anything goes at this point.
Go with me on this. If you’re looking for a fun drink to make this weekend while watching yet another holiday movie, this is it.
Looking for other Christmas drinks? Here are my favorites:
Lastly, if you make this Creamy Coconut White Russian, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Creamy Coconut White Russian
The perfect holiday twist on the classic White Russian cocktail...it’s a delicious December treat!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Russian
- 1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) vodka
- 1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) coconut rum
- 1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) Kahlua
- 1-2 ounces (2-4 tablespoons) vanilla syrup
- 1-2 ounces (2-4 tablespoons) canned full fat coconut milk or cream well stirred
Instructions
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1. To make the vanilla syrup. In a medium pot, combine 1/2 cup water, the honey, and cinnamon. Bring to a boil over high heat. Boil 3-5 minutes, then remove from the heat. Stir in the vanilla extract. Let cool. Keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
2. To make the Russian. Fill a glass with ice. Add the vodka, coconut rum, Kahlua, and vanilla syrup. Stir gently. Add the heavy cream and stir to combine. Garnish with cinnamon, if desired.
Our Favorite Recipes
Vanilla Wreath Cookies.
yummmmmmm tiegan!!! right up my alley ..cannot wait to try.. as a matter of fact . that just might happen this evening after work!! can u share your moms kahlua death by chocolate recipe too tho???? double yummm.
Hey Helen,
That recipe is located in the HBH cookbook! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Good morning Tieghan!
Happy Saturday to you! I want to make this delicious-looking drink for Christmas and want to know if I could use the coconut creamer that you use for coffee instead of the coconut milk? Is the coconut milk the kind that comes in a can?
I love your recipes, beautiful website and amazingly executed photos on your site!
Merry Christmas to you and your family 🎄!
Stay safe and stay well.
Hey Susan,
Yes, I use the coconut milk that comes in a can, I have not tried this with coconut creamer but you can certainly give it a go! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan! I haven’t had a white russian in years but this version looks too good to pass up! I love all your recipes and photos and told my daughter about your website and she is now obsessed with you as well, so I ordered your cookbook for a Christmas gift for her (and I will get to read it as well!). Thanks for all the incredible recipes and photos…you are most talented. Have a very Merry Christmas with your family!
You are so sweet! I hope you love this recipe and every other you try, Mary Ann! Thank you! xTieghan
Hello! Do you have any recommendations if you cannot find cinnamon sticks? Is there a certain amount of regular cinnamon to add? Thank you! Love your recipes!
Hey Holly,
You can do a dash of cinnamon. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Fantastic.
Thank you Patti! xTieghan
This recipe seems so delicious , I pinned it to save it from later!!
Miki x
https://www.littletasteofbeauty.com/
Thank you Miki! xTieghan
lovely twist on the staple, love this creamy version, thank you!
Hey Sabrina,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks for giving it a try! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan,
You have easily become my favorite cooking account to follow. This recipe looks delicious… Do you think it would hold up if I made it, bottled it, and gave out as Christmas gifts? Or do you have another liquor recipe that you think would work better as a Christmas gift? Either way can’t wait to try!
Hey Heyley,
I would recommend these: https://dev.halfbakedharvest.com/holiday-gifting-homemade-simple-syrups/
I hope this helps! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Loved this!
Hey there,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks for giving it a try! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Hi! This looks absolutely amazing. My sisters and I are all dairy-free so we’re excited to try this. I know you’ve commented about your glasses being sold out but in case they’re in stock again, where did you buy them?
Hey Caroline,
So sorry these glasses are super old, I do not have the link. I hope you love the recipe! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
When you store the simple syrup, do you leave the cinnamon sticks in or out? Thanks!!
Hey Amy,
I would pull the cinnamon stick out. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
My husband and I tried this tonight and it was SO good! Thank you for the new cocktail!!!
Hey Casey,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Hi! What is vanilla syrup? Is that different than extract? Thanks!
Hey Emily,
The vanilla syrup is made in step 1 of the recipe:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
These were delish! I used cream instead of coconut milk and they turned out amazing!
Hey Alex,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
The flavors of this were excellent but the coconut cream ended up separating into small chunks when we stirred it in. Not sure why??
Hey Shawna,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try, so sorry about the coconut cream! What brand did you use? I like to use Thrive Market brand. Let me know how I can help! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Yumm this was so good! I had vanilla vodka so skipped the vanilla syrup and just used that instead. 10/10 would recommend!
Hey Ryan,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Delicious. Where, oh where did you get those fabulous glasses from? With the gold bubble and gold around the rim?
Hey Susanna,
So sorry but I do not have a link for these glasses. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Hey Tieghan could you possibly share how you did the little fluffy coconut bit on top of the cinnamon stick? Looks super cute! :):)
Hey Leah,
I used whipped cream with sanding sugar. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Hi! I’m going to make this tonight! Instead of making the simple syrup, could I just use some store bought simple syrup? If so what kind would you recommend?
Thank you!
Jen
Hey Jen,
You would want to find a vanilla simple syrup. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
This was my favorite so far! The coconut milk gave it a most wonderful, deep flavor, but did come together a bit due to the cold temperature of the drink. Didn’t bother me one bit though!
Hey Erika,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am thrilled that it worked out for you. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
I made these and they were delicious, but I had a bit of trouble getting it all together at first. The vanilla syrup turned into a big glop of hardened honey when stirred into the iced glass with the other liquids. So I strained it out, heated up the syrup a bit in the microwave and then mixed it with the liquors before adding the ice. It seems that the ice was the problem so when the honey syrup hit the ice it didn’t allow it to dissolve. By stirring it in before adding the ice, it turned out much better. I used an organic coconut cream which I whisked to get it smoother, but I think next time I will try the combination cream that I buy from Sprouts – coconut cream/almond milk combo. It will likely combine with the rest of the ingredients better.
Thanks for the idea. The flavors were great and my guests loved them!
Hey Kathleen,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am glad they ended up working out for you! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
I would give this six stars if I could. From the first sip it is a perfect blend of flavors, so creamy and delicious. SO worth the tiny bit of extra time to make the vanilla syrup. Next time I make it I’ll just double it so hubs and I can have this twice before I have to make it again. I just cannot say enough about how much we both LOVE this drink.
Hey Jenn,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! Happy New Year! xTieghan
It’s not related to the recipe but the christmas tree ornaments from the picture are really cute and I was wondering where can I buy them <3
Hey Rebeca,
The ornaments are from Shop Terrain! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan