Salted Caramel White Russians

This Post May Contain Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure Policy

The Classic White Russian Cocktails get a contemporary and delicious upgrade with one of the most popular flavors of the season: salted caramel. These Salted Caramel White Russians are the perfect cocktail for fall and the upcoming holiday season.

two Salted Caramel White Russians in glasses with caramel drizzle and straws.

As the chill in the air deepens and the leaves start to turn, I’ve been craving something warm, sweet, and oh-so indulgent. I’m beyond excited to share with you a special treat perfect for sipping – Salted Caramel White Russians!

This drink is a delightful twist on the classic White Russian cocktail, with the addition of salted caramel making it the ultimate cozy drink for the fall and upcoming holiday season. Grab your favorite blanket, put on some cozy fall tunes, and let’s get mixing!

Salted Caramel White Russian in a glass with a straw.

Several years back my oldest brother unknowingly started a new Thanksgiving tradition. He invited me to join him and his wife for a White Russian on Thanksgiving morning to watch the parade on TV.

As the years have passed, more family members have joined us and we now have snacks (of course!) to accompany the fun. In fact, this gathering has become one of my favorite new traditions. (I realize that some people might question kicking off a long day of drinking and eating with White Russians, but somehow we make it work.)

up close photo of two Salted Caramel White Russian with caramels.

What is a White Russian cocktail?

A classic White Russian is a popular cocktail made with a combination of vodka, coffee liqueur (usually Kahlua), and cream served over ice in a lowball glass. It is renowned for its smooth and creamy texture, which contrasts with the kick of the vodka and the richness of the coffee liqueur. The resulting cocktail is like a thin chocolaty milkshake with vodka. Personally, I’m a big fan.

By simply replacing classic Kahlua and regular vodka with the salted caramel varieties, a completely new drink was born. With the increasing popularity of salted caramel, especially at this time of year, it couldn’t be more appropriate.

More Unique White Russian Recipes

You may know I’m a big fan of White Russians.  It is especially wonderful when I am able to create different and unique flavorful variations of the traditional White Russian. I have experimented with a few. In the past, I’ve made the following:

Now that you know a bit about the classic recipe, let’s make this salted caramel version. We’ll start with the recommend ingredients and then get into the recipe.

two glasses of Salted Caramel White Russian with straws.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  1. A Modern Twist on a Classic: The timeless charm of a White Russian meets the irresistible allure of salted caramel. This fusion gives you a delightful experience of old and new, wrapped into one velvety cocktail.
  2. Perfect for Autumn Vibes: As the leaves change and the air becomes crisp, there’s no better way to embrace the season than with a drink that embodies the flavors of fall. The rich caramel and hint of salt will have you reminiscing about cozy sweaters and crackling fires.
  3. Simple Yet Sophisticated: Don’t let the luxurious taste fool you; these Salted Caramel White Russians are a breeze to whip up. Ideal for both cocktail newbies and seasoned mixologists.
  4. Crowd-Pleaser: Planning a get-together? Whether it’s a festive holiday party or a casual movie night, this drink is guaranteed to impress your guests and leave them asking for the recipe.
top view of Salted Caramel White Russian with caramels.

Ingredients

While the ingredient list for this Salted Caramel White Russian is similar to the classic cocktail, there are a few substitutions to make this flavorful variation.

  1. Salted Caramel Coffee Liqueur (Bailey’s or Kahlua): This is the star of the show! A luscious blend of coffee liqueur with a hint of salted caramel, it adds depth and a rich, velvety sweetness to the cocktail. Bailey’s and Kahlua are both great options, but feel free to use your preferred brand.
  2. Salted Caramel Vodka: Enhancing the caramel notes of the drink, this vodka infuses a smooth, salted caramel flavor without being overly sweet. It’s the perfect companion to the coffee liqueur, adding a little kick while balancing the overall taste.
  3. Half & Half: This mix of equal parts milk and cream adds a creamy, luxurious texture to the cocktail. It’s the secret to making your White Russian incredibly smooth and sippable.
  4. Caramel Sauce for Garnish: Drizzling caramel sauce inside of the glass not only makes for a visually appealing presentation but also adds a final touch of gooey sweetness that complements the salted caramel flavors perfectly.

Each ingredient is carefully selected to contribute to the richness and depth of flavors in this Salted Caramel White Russian. From the velvety coffee liqueur to the smooth vodka and creamy half & half, each component plays a vital role in making this cocktail a delight for the senses. And, of course, the caramel sauce garnish is the cherry on top, both visually and taste-wise.

Salted Caramel White Russians in glasses with title text.

How to Make

Now we’re ready shake up these Salted Caramel White Russians. The process is so simple! I’ll walk you through the steps below. For your convenience, I’ve also provided a full ingredient list and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

  1. In a cocktail shaker, combine the Kahlua, vodka, and half & half. Stir with a spoon to combine.
  2. Drip caramel sauce down the side of a drinking glass. Add ice until the glass is about three quarters full.
glass with salted caramel drizzle.
cocktail shaker pouring Salted Caramel White Russian into a glass.
  1. Pour in your cocktail.
  2. Garnish with a straw and serve.

With streaks of caramel running down the side of the glass, there’s no question what this cocktail is going to taste like. All that’s left to do is serve, sip, and enjoy!

glass drizzled with caramel filled with Salted Caramel White Russian.

Recipe Variations

And if you love this recipe, I have a few more variations you can try. You’re going to love them!

  • Chocolate Salted Caramel White Russian: Add a drizzle of chocolate syrup along with the caramel sauce for a delicious chocolatey twist. Garnish with a sprinkle of sea salt and a chocolate stick.
  • Spiced Salted Caramel White Russian: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the cocktail for a warm, spiced flavor that’s perfect for the holiday season. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
  • Coconut Salted Caramel White Russian: Replace the half & half with coconut milk for a tropical twist on the classic. Garnish with toasted coconut flakes.
  • Vanilla Salted Caramel White Russian: Add a splash of vanilla extract or a vanilla pod to infuse the drink with a sweet, aromatic vanilla flavor. Garnish with a vanilla bean.
  • Mocha Salted Caramel White Russian: Add a shot of espresso or strong brewed coffee to the cocktail for a caffeine kick and a deeper coffee flavor. Garnish with chocolate shavings.
a glass of Salted Caramel White Russians with straw.

And there you have it, my friends – the perfect Salted Caramel White Russian. I hope you enjoy making and sipping on this delicious cocktail as much as I do. Whether you’re cozying up by the fire or hosting a festive gathering, this drink is sure to be a hit.

More Seasonal Cocktails You’ll Love

I hope you enjoyed this Salted Caramel White Russian recipe. If you do, please leave a comment and a 5-star rating below. 

Want more from Inspired by Charm? Join the IBC Mailing List for inspiration in your inbox! Follow along on Instagram and TikTok for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my processes. There’s even more inspiration on Facebook and Pinterest

Salted Caramel White Russians #saltedcaramel #caramel #fallcocktail #whiterussian #kahlua #recipe

Salted Caramel White Russians

The Classic White Russian Cocktails get a contemporary and delicious upgrade with one of the most popular flavors of the season: salted caramel. These Salted Caramel White Russians are the perfect cocktail for fall and the upcoming holiday season.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: caramel, cocktail, salted caramel, white russian
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail
Calories: 448kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 part Salted Caramel coffee liqueur Bailey’s or Kaluha
  • 2 parts Salted Caramel Vodka
  • 1 part Half & Half
  • Caramel sauce to garnish

Instructions

  • In a cocktail shaker, combine the Kahlua, vodka, and half & half. Stir with a spoon to combine.
  • Drip caramel sauce down the side of a drinking glass. Add ice until the glass is about three quarters full; then pour in your cocktail. Garnish with a straw and serve.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 448kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 91mg | Potassium: 55mg | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 151IU | Calcium: 55mg

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




22 Comments

    1. One part is an inexact measurement. It can mean, for example, 1 ounce, 1 tablespoon or 1 cup. The key is keeping all “parts” equal. For this recipe it could mean 1/4 cup coffee liqueur, 1/2 cup vodka, and 1/4 cup half & half. Make sense?

      xo Michael

  1. Every time I try to mix vodka with milk in any drink, I find that it curdles. Does using half & half rather than milk keep the curdling at bay??

  2. Yum. I love a White Russian and this one sounds so delicious and decadent! What a great tradition to have white russians while watching the parade. Thanks for sharing. I’ve pinned this.

    1. That’s the great thing about cocktails, you can add more or less alcohol depending on your taste preference. I LOVE the ice cream idea!! Sounds so delicious!!
      xo Michael

  3. Love this idea, although in my part of the world,I don’t think I can find these salted versions of vodka, kalhua, is it possible to substitute some salt to just vodka, and kalhua, would that be ok, if so by how much. Thanks

      1. There’s no whiskey in this recipe. Traditional White Russians are made with vodka. Maybe try a different recipe that uses whiskey as a main ingredient.

        xo Michael

  4. The White Russian is delish, but there’s way too much vodka for my taste (and the taste of all my guests last weekend). After some experimenting, all agreed that one part each ingredient was ideal (though I liked mine with extra half and half or cream).

    1. That’s the great part out cocktails, you can adjust to suit your taste. Glad you found a nice balance of flavors that works for you and your guests.

      xo Michael

  5. I can’t tell you how excited I was when this recipe showed up in my inbox! We’re making them tonight for our Halloween party, and I’m not sure I’m going to share! SO EXCITED!

  6. Michael — thank you for the recipe! I’ve made the Apple Pie Sangria three times now — it’s my go to drink for fall weekends! I can’t wait to try this one as well. More sparingly I’m sure since it’s a little richer. Thanks for the fall inspiration!