Dairy-Free White Russian
This white Russian cocktail recipe is creamy, delicious and surprisingly dairy free! Whip up some cashew milk, add vodka and Kahlua. Easy!
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on August 14, 2024
41Comments
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Welcome to cocktail week! Since Christmas is just one week away, I thought it would be fun to share classic cocktail recipes for your holiday parties.
We’re kicking off with White Russians, which are usually made with cream or milk. I’m not a big milk drinker, so I replaced it with thick cashew milk. It’s creamy, dreamy and ultra delicious.
Cashew milk is relatively neutral in flavor, so it’s a great stand-in for dairy milk. I love that I don’t have to strain it like almond milk (no waste here). I first tried making dairy-free White Russians with light coconut milk, but when coconut milk hits ice cubes, it tends to form small lumps. Not a problem with cashew milk!
I recommend soaking the cashews for a few hours in advance, unless you’re using a high-powered blender like a Vitamix. In addition to cashew milk, you’ll simply need vodka (Tito’s is my favorite brand), coffee liqueur (Kahlua) and ice.
Note that I originally titled this recipe “Vegan White Russians,” but it seems that Kahlua is not vegan. If you can find a similar coffee liqueur that is truly vegan, then this recipe will be suitable for vegans.
I hope this drink makes an appearance at your next holiday get-together. Or, take a break from the holiday hubbub and sip one of these while watching The Big Lebowski. For more cocktail recipes, click here!
Dairy-Free White Russian
This white Russian cocktail recipe is creamy, delicious and surprisingly dairy free! Just whip up some cashew milk (instructions provided below), then add vodka and Kahlua. Easy!
Ingredients
Cashew cream*
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 2 cups water, divided (plus more for soaking)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons maple syrup, to taste
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Per cocktail
- 1 ounce vodka
- 1 ounce Kahlua (rum and coffee liqueur)
- 2 ounces cashew cream
Instructions
- To make the cashew cream: For ultra creamy results, soak the cashews in water for 2 to 4 hours. Drain them, then rinse the cashews under running water.
- Place the drained cashews in your blender and add 1 cup of the water. Blend the mixture on high until the cashews are totally pulverized and the mixture is very creamy. Add the remaining 1 cup of water, the maple syrup and vanilla extract, and blend again. Taste, and blend in additional maple syrup if you’d like it to be sweeter. (If your cashew milk still has tiny bits of cashews in it, pour it through a fine metal sieve into a glass.)
- To make a cocktail: Fill a short cocktail glass with ice. Pour in the vodka, followed by the Kahlua and cashew cream. Lightly swirl the contents with a spoon, and enjoy.
Notes
*Cashew cream yield: This cashew cream will yield about 2 ¼ cups, which is enough for 9 cocktails. Leftovers make great coffee creamer; just whisk or shake the mixture to recombine before serving. Leftover cashew cream will keep well in the refrigerator for about 4 days.
Recommended equipment: This ice cube tray makes the giant ice cubes you see in the pictures, and this stainless steel jigger is great for measuring liquor. (Those are affiliate links.)
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
Any recommendations for store bought cashew milk?
Hi Karen! I’m sorry, I don’t have much experience with store-bought. I recommend making your own since I made this cashew milk extra-thick.
Thank you! Your recipe seems easy enough; I’ll try it.
Thank you!
I love how you made your own cashew milk for this! I didnt realize they were a strain-free nut milk but now I am sooo on that train!
It’s a great way to keep it fresh and so flavorful! Let me know what you think when you give it a try.
Why on Earth haven’t I already tried this?
One of the very few things I miss going vegan is White Russian. And home made cashews nutt milk is 42 (Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything)
Thank you so much for this one, Kate!
Finally a white Christmas again. Hehe :)
I battled so hard with autocorrect on this post… still I failed.
*nut*
You are welcome! It’s delightful :) Enjoy!
I love that you just posted this!! I was contemplating white Russians over the weekend, but was afraid that using coconut milk would be a little weird. Glad I waited! This is happening Xmas Eve weekend!
Great minds! It’s such a great drink for the holiday season. Thanks so much for your review.
Wow this looks great! What a nice variation :)
Let me know what you think when you try it!
I use Prairie organic vodka for my DIY vanilla! I might be trying this recipe. Looks fab!
Let me know what you think!
Impeccable timing, Kate! I was just daydreaming about how to make a vegan White Russian! This looks scrumptious — can’t wait to try it. Will do that soon and leave a rating.
Perfect for the holiday season! Enjoy and let me know what you think.
Looks delicious! I’ll definetely try on Christmas!
Let me know what you think!
What a brilliant way to use cashew milk! I’m so on board with this!
Kari
Let me know what you think when you try it, Kari!
What a treat! I soaked the cashews this morning and we toasted Christmas Eve with vegan White Russians tonight. So delicious. I decided to make a thicker cashew cream and didn’t add the second cup of water. Added a few grains of salt that mine seemed to need. It was heavenly. Thank you, Kate!
Sounds delicious! Thank you, Janie. I really appreciate your review.
Hi kate and hello to cookie as well,
Thanks for all your time and effort for sending these wonderful delicacies they are truly amazing very nutritious and very healthy, happy holidays to you and cookie and all your members, lots of love :)
Thank you, Adi for your sweet words. You are very welcome!
Thank you very much for commenting Kate good luck for this coming year, lots of love :)
Kahlua is NOT vegan
Not Vegan. Unfortunately Kahlua is not vegan.
Kahlúa is not vegan. It contains milk from a cow.
NO it does not.
No, Kahlúa Original does not contain milk, cream or any milk derived ingredients.
Kahlúa Espresso Martini RTD’s and Kahlúa Nitro Cold Brew RTD’s also do not contain milk or cream.
Please note, these products are lactose free, but not acceptable for a vegan diet.
However, Kahlúa Mudslide RTD, White Russian RTD, Vanilla White Russian RTD, and Kahlua with Milk RTD do contain milk and/or milk proteins.
Kahlua isn’t vegan.
Kahlua says as of June 2020 that it not vegan friendly
Hi Angie! I will do some digging.
I hate to be the person to point this out, but those who are vegan will want to know that Kahula is not vegan it has milk in it per the Kahula brand website.
Hi Jeannie, Thank you for your feedback. When I posted this recipe several years ago, it was. Now I see there is some gray area. I will look into this further.
Was it determined if Kahula is dairy and gluten free?
Hi Diana, I have done some more research and it looks like the ingredients may have changed since I did this post. It’s on my list to address and revise.
Sounds delicious! But Kahlua is not vegan friendly since it has milk or milk protein
Hi Diana, I have done some more research and it looks like the ingredients may have changed since I did this post. It’s on my list to address and revise.
Did you make your own Khalua? I ask because store bought Khalua is not vegan.
Hi J, I’m working to update the post. It seems they have changed their product or the transparency of it since I originally created this recipe.
I wish they would make it vegan friendly! Inlove Khalua, I have made it at home but wouldnrather just purchaee it. :-)