A twist on the classic White Russian recipe, this salted caramel White Russian recipe is perfect for fall and the holiday season. They are light, creamy and the perfect balance of sweet and slightly salty.

When I first published this salted caramel White Russian recipe, I didn’t know the life force it would take on. Inventing new, delicious seasonal White Russian recipes is now a whole thing that I love to do.

It turns out that White Russians in general are a perfect holiday season cocktail. This salted caramel White Russian specifically is about to become your new favorite cocktail recipe for the holiday season and beyond.

This salted caramel White Russian is the perfect thing to sip as you’re prepping Thanksgiving dinner or while you’re decorating your Christmas tree. It’s so so delicious and a whole thing you’re definitely going to want to do.

It’s exactly what it says it is – a classic White Russian with a twist inspired by my love for all things salted caramel. And it’s the perfect cocktail for when you’re hosting friends or family over the holidays.

Salted Caramel White Russian Ingredients

The ingredients to make this salted caramel White Russian are very simple! It makes mixing one, a few, or a bunch throughout the evening super simple.

• Vodka – I usually use plain vodka, but have also made this White Russian recipe with caramel vodka and vanilla vodka. Both turn out delicious!
• Kahlua – Kahlua is a coffee liqueur that is one of the classic White Russian ingredients. It adds a deep, rich flavor that is so good.
• Cream – You can use heavy cream, half and half or even whole milk to make a White Russian. I prefer half and half for a nice creamy White Russian that still feels light and sweet.
• Caramel sauce – Any caramel sauce will work for this cocktail recipe. You can often find caramel sauce near the ice cream toppings in your grocery store.
• Sea salt – To add the right amount of saltiness to your salted caramel White Russian, I recommend coarse ground sea salt for this cocktail recipe.

This is an easy one to whip up and it’s perfect for making just one or two or for a whole crowd. If we had a big enough house I would absolutely invite all of you over and serve you one of these.

How to Make Salted Caramel White Russians

Knowing how to make a salted caramel White Russian is about to make your holiday season even merrier! Bonus! They’re also super simple to make, too.

Step 1. Swirl a tall glass or mason jar with approximately half a tablespoon of caramel sauce. Set aside.

Step 2. Add ice to a cocktail shaker. Then measure and pour the vodka over the ice.

Step 3. Measure and add the Kahlua to the cocktail shaker. You may use another coffee liqueur if you have on you prefer or if you can’t find Kahlua.

Step 4. Add cream or milk to the cocktail shaker then cover and shake vigorously. A plant-based milk also works great!

Step 5. Add ice to the top of the cocktail glass previously swirled with caramel sauce. Then pour the White Russian mixture into the glass over the ice.

Step 6. Drizzle a bit of extra caramel sauce over top, then sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt. Add a straw, serve and sip!

Best Vodka for White Russians

When making any White Russian cocktail recipe, I find that the best vodka for White Russians is something crisp and clean with a neutral flavor profile. 

My personal preference for White Russians and just about all cocktail recipes is Tito’s Handmade. It’s a quality vodka with a bright flavor perfect for sipping and mixing.

That said, with this specific salted caramel White Russian recipe, using a caramel vodka or vanilla vodka is perfectly acceptable and will add a lot of extra flavor and an extra hint of sweetness.

Paired with the sea salt the combination is truly delicious!

Speaking of salt, make sure you use a coarse sea salt or flakey sea salt and remember that just a little pinch will do. This isn’t a margarita, after all, you just want a little bit of that yummy salt flavor to balance out all the sweetness.

The key to making this drink shine is definitely the caramel swirled around the inside of the glass and then drizzled along the rim. It’s what makes this drink so good!

Combined with the salt it’s so so good. And that’s it, friends! So easy and crazy delicious.

More Festive Party Ideas

Dreaming up delicious party recipes and festive Christmas party ideas year after year is the thing that makes me happiest. Truly!

From staging a pretty Christmas bar cart to making the loveliest DIY ornaments (like these gold leaf ornaments or these melted crayon ornaments) to hosting a cookie exchange, the holiday season is just my favorite!

Salted Caramel White Russian

Yield: 1 cocktail

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

A twist on the classic White Russian recipe, this salted caramel White Russian recipe is perfect for fall and the holiday season. They are light, creamy and the perfect balance of sweet and slightly salty.

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Ingredients

• 1½ oz vodka
• 1 oz Kahlua
• 2 oz cream
• 1 tablespoon caramel sauce plus extra
• Pinch of coarse ground sea salt

Instructions

1. Swirl ½ of the caramel sauce around the inside of a tall glass or mason jar. Set aside.
   
   
   
2. Add ice to a cocktail shaker. Then measure and pour the vodka over the ice.
   
   
   
3. Measure and add the Kahlua to the cocktail shaker.
   
   
   
4. Add cream or milk to the cocktail shaker then cover and shake vigorously.
   
   
   
5. Add ice to the top of the cocktail glass previously swirled with caramel sauce. Then pour the White Russian mixture into the glass over the ice.
   
   
   
6. Drizzle a bit of extra caramel sauce over top, then sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt. Add a straw, serve and sip!
   
   

Notes

You can use heavy cream, half and half or whole milk for the cream in this recipe. I generally use half and half for a nice and creamy White Russian.

[Photos, recipe + styling by Cyd Converse for The Sweetest Occasion.]