With the arrival of April and Passover and Easter all this weekend – and with lovely spring days on their way, Tevye’s toast seems right on. Maybe (only MAYBE) it’s what made us think about serving White Russians at our Sunday evening Dark and Stormy Night dinner party.
Actually, Andy and I debated whether to serve Dark and Stormy cocktails or White Russian cocktails. Not being huge rum fans – a Dark and Stormy is basically dark rum, ginger beer, and a squeeze of lime, over ice – we followed up dinner with nibbles of various cakes and cookies – and White Russians, enjoyed while sitting in front of the TV, watching 60 Minutes (of course).
Since the White Russian is associated with The Big Lebowski and the Coen Brothers and Jeff Bridges, Andy is likely hoping we can claim them as fellow members of the War Baby Generation, which he just wrote about. But Andy will be disappointed; they’re Boomers.
We recommend serving about 3/4 of the average cocktail when doing the after-dinner thing. After all, you’ve already had wine with dinner (hopefully, Sonoma wine), and your guests still have to drive home. It’s a Go-To Cocktail (see last Tuesday’s post for more on Go-To’s).
White Russian Cocktail
- 1 oz Kahlua
- 1 oz vodka
- 1 oz cream
- ice cubes
Although the fussy way to serve this is is by layering the cream on top of the liquor, we’re just as happy putting all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shaking it well. Strain and serve in a glass filled with ice.
Your post on the White Russian cocktail triggered a Proustian cascade of memories as if I had tasted a madeleine cake dipped in tea. Maybe it was the “All Purpose” vodka you used to make the White Russian. I recalled someone I met the last time I was in rehab. He had invented a product that could be used as underarm deodorant or salad dressing, and also cured athlete’s foot. He was looking for investors. He promised to get me on the Celebrity Apprentice TV show. I wrote him a check and we exchanged phone numbers. When I called his number to make arrangements to appear on the show, the number had been disconnected. Do you have any idea how I can get ahold of that guy?
Andy here. I am not sure how to respond to your “Proustian cascade of memories” related to the White Russian Cocktail. I am intrigued however by the possibility of using salad dressing as an underarm deodorant even though the croutons may be quite uncomfortable. On how to get ahold of your Celebrity Apprentice show guy, I suggest consulting the white Russian pages of your phone book.