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Yes, that’s right, you heard correctly. A Caucasian, a White Russian or whatever else you like to call it. We’ll have one of those.” When the couple sitting to our left placed their drink order, we nearly feel off our stools, After all, we were in an Italian wine bar, and that request seemed almost as unusual as ordering a Pina Colada. But as they slurped down their drinks in record speed, our thoughts of disbelief quickly turned to jealousy. After a bottle or two of acidic red Italian wine, a White Russian seemed like a pleasant change of pace.
Now, it’s been a few years since we placed that order and as we requested our drinks we felt the need to caveat. It went something like this, “um, so those people sitting next to us were drinking a White Russian, and its been years since we’ve had one, and well, if it’s good enough for “The Dude” well, maybe we were thinking, perhaps we would like to try one too.” The bartender laughed at our unabashed hesitation and told us a little something that surprised us. Apparently, this time of year, when the fall just begins to add that pleasant chill to the air, White Russians make their reappearance. The bartender went on to say, “don’t be so embarrassed, this is the fifth one I’ve made this weekend. This time of year they seem to be pretty popular.” This took a moment to settle in. As we quickly threw back our White Russian, we let this thought marinate. Could we be in the thick of “The Dude Effect”?
(Editors note: If you have no idea what we are talking about, quickly add “The Big Lebowski” to your Netflix list.)
So in the sake of research we went out to test this theory. We visited bars of all sorts to see if the White Russian was back and who made them the best. We visited old school bars, new bars, hotel bars and even your east village hipster hangout. And the verdict is in, we New Yorkers’ love ourselves a good White Russian. Now, before we go any further, let’s examine what exactly is in a White Russian, because you’ll probably claim that “its been a while.” The typical White Russian is made with one part vodka, one part Kahlua and cream or milk. After a great deal of tasting (and a few pounds later) it turns out we are partial to cream. The fat kid, deep down inside, loved this assignment a little too much. As it turns out, we were not alone. Many of our friends volunteered to help with the research.
So where do you go to get a good stiff White Russian? Basically anywhere. As it turns out, because the recipe is fairly simple, there is little deviation in taste from place to place. However, what separates a good White Russian from a great, is definitely the milk. Our two favorites were from Otto, where it’s made with delicious, ice cold, creamy milk and at the Soho Grand, where it’s made with thick, rich cream.
For the rest of the week we walked around this city ordering our drink without hesitation or apologies. We knew we weren’t alone in our love for this milkshake-like frosty cocktail. And for those who still look down their nose, thinking this cocktail is child’s play, perhaps they’re right. But that inner child of ours is pretty damn happy.
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white russian = acceptable
car bomb = douchebaggery
There's a bartender named Amy at Heather's Bar (on 13th st. off of A) that not only makes a fierce White Russian- Byelorusian if you will- but does some great variations on the theme.
rosemary - thanks for the tip. I go to Heather's all the time, so I will definitely have to try it.
I used to drink a lot of these in boston. it used to ask for them as "honkies"
Funny that you should write this--I just made a batch of White Russian ice cream last week.
I'm sorry, but is deciding to order a drink that sounds good REALLY this complicated?
If you WANT it, ORDER it...what, is it not OK to order a White Russian after Labor Day? People like this just make me want to throw things at them...
You must be shitting me.
White russians taste like piss. I can't drink more then one without having to gag.
An Irish car bomb IF made correctly can be a work of art, taste oh so good, and fuck you up at the same time.
I haven't posted in a long time, but this post is irritating enough to ignite a response. I agree with Miguel - if you want a damn White Russian, order one and stop being such a homo about it.
I've been ordering White Russians for years unabashedly. Sometimes they're great, sometimes not (sometimes the bartender goes for straight cream which is a little much for me, but that's how some people like it). Much harder to make is the Black Russian since too much sweet or too much vodka can be a killer either way (plus milk can help disguise cheap vodka, so Black Russians should be ordered top shelf only).
A much better job of reporting would have been if you tested several White Russians beyond your three block LES shithole. You say you visited bars, yet you list maybe three.
Gothamist = lame once more (or that is, still).
Wow, all this hate over a drink! Remember, boys and girls, it's eat, drink and be merry (or feel Mary, depending on what she drinks).
No man...you just don't understand, man...not asking for something that you want represents everything that is wrong NYC today.
Everyone seems to be looking around to see what everyone else is doing (drinking, wearing, listening to, etc) and wondering where they read about it and if they know all of its subtle nuances and if they are rocking it correctly.
Google's started this and it makes me mad b/c NYC used to be a place of independent thought. Now it's a giant mirror, reflecting only trends that people read about online.
Now, back to feeling Mary...
If you guys hate Gothamist so damn much, stop reading... what is your problem? I think it's cute/sweet/endearing/HUMAN that Tamara was open about her shyness in ordering the drink. Some of us still have that about us and some of us don't (I'm not saying negative or not, it is what it is), that we feel a bit silly/childish ordering a kiddie drink. I'm sure I'd feel pretty darn stupid ordering a Midori sour (my drink from when I was 19-20), depending on my mood and my location. Anyway, if you're going to get so riled up over an article about someone's personal experience, go somewhere else!
It's not that...it's this shy, timid, alien-like behavior that is completely contrived.
PS- thank you I will read other sites that don't allow me to post from now on...
Miguel, clearly we can't all be as independent and unique as you. You know, someone who forms their own opinions without any influence from an outside source, say a blog. However, the point we try to get across - not just here, but in previous posts - is to drink what you like, no matter what it is. Yes we hesitated in ordering that drink in a wine bar, but it didn't keep us from ordering it.
Your judgements may be contributing to the problem you so despise. Don't be so angry, have a white russian. You'll feel better.
kojak-
wasn't commenting on the taste of the drink that is a matter of preference, as a bartender carbombs suck, the glasses are a pain to clean and the striped shirt junior executive frat boy douchebags who order these "works of art" always seem to start a fight, throw up or both.
I also enjoy a car bomb from time to time, but I agree that they lend themselves to becoming easily barfy.
Other hot drinks for people who aren't afraid of what others think (i.e., anyone who doesn't write for gothamist) include:
Blue Motorcycle (L.I. i-tea with Blue Curacao instead of cola)
Banana Cow (nothing screams "I'm hung" like a drink with grenadine and bananas).
Malibu Bay Breeze
Make sure you order the latter with an umbrella, or as us manly men like to call it: mini bumbershoot.
is this cheesy long island-ist? malibu bay breeze? banana cow? you order these drinks and yet you're mocking the writer of this post? are you twelve?
"... the striped shirt junior executive frat boy douchebags who order these "works of art" always seem to start a fight, throw up or both."
Ahhh, but then it wouldn’t be an 'Irish' Car bomb now wouldn’t it?
But it’s true that most bartenders don’t know how to make a proper car bomb. Most are even too afraid to light one up. (Though it’s worth noting that eventually some douche will probably end up burning themselves and sue the establishment, so maybe it’s a good idea not to light it)
Iggy -
I am too busy enjoying my Hawaiian Redneck and Sloe Gin Fizz to be bothered with your thinly veiled criticisms.
Ordering a white russian isn't really a big deal, it's not like ordering a pink panties or a sea breeze or something really lame like that.
We prefer to be called "associates"....just make the drink, that is what you get paid for. Also, from my own frat-dick d-bag experiences the more liquored up we get, the better we tip.
Why is everyone getting so riled up about a stupid drink? There are grammatical errors to gripe about! This aggression will not stand, man.
That white russian really tied the room together.
call it a belarusian. the caucus were never known as white russia.