Coffee Cocktail Recipes: The Russian Lady

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Coffee Cocktail Recipes: The Russian Lady

From Russia with Love

For those looking for a more feminine but no less hearty touch to their coffee cocktails, look no further than the Russian Lady. Similar to the White Russian and the Black Russian, the Russian Lady combines those favored friends of the liquor cabinet; vodka and Kahlua, but with some distinctive and truly innovative twists. For starters, cola is often used to top off the Russian Lady. Not only that, but today we will learn how to fix this drink worthy of the Czars and Czarinas using our Pressice Barware Ice Ball Press Kit. 

       There are several reasons why the Russian Lady is a perfect cocktail to prepare with your Pressice Barware ice ball maker. The spherical shape of the ice will make mixing this drink a breeze and will also gift it an elegant appearance worthy of that alluring name. Keep reading to learn more about this superb coffee cocktail and how your ice ball press kit can be of service. Once you get a grasp on this mysterious lady of the cocktail world, it will quickly become one of your go-to drinks.

What You Will Need:

Every great cocktail will require a few key ingredients and accouterments. The Russian Lady is no different. For those with a healthy and stocked cocktail bar, some of these items may already be on hand. For those dabbling in home-bartending or newer to the arts of classic drinks, some of these items may require you to do some searching. 

As this cocktail is a coffee cocktail we encourage you to explore the arts of the home barista. Though not imperative, a bit of cafe-style knowledge of coffee brewing will come in handy. Otherwise, here is your list of items for mixing the Russian Lady;
Pressice Barware Craft Ice Ball Maker
Kahlua Liqueur
Vodka - some aficionados prefer Black Cow. This is due to the vanilla and coconut hints/ notes that synergize amazingly with the rest of this cocktail.
Half-and-Half
Cola
Old Fashioned Glass - included in your ice ball press kit.
Cocktail Shaker
Optional Items
Whole Coffee Beans
Bean Grinder
Coffee Brewing Vessel of Your Choice

How to Prepare The Russian Lady

Craft A Coffee Ice Sphere

  A key element to mastering this delicate yet delectable cocktail is the element of your round ice sphere, courtesy of your Pressice Barware sphere ice maker. But for this particular work of bartending art, we have chosen to opt instead for a coffee ice sphere.

 The pros to using a coffee ice sphere are manifold. For starters, as your ice ball melts the flavor and aroma of your cocktail are enhanced and gifted with some nuance and drinkability rather than becoming diluted and bland. It also saves you some time and effort. Instead of brewing coffee, waiting for it to cool in addition to preparing ice cubes, you can kill two proverbial birds with one coffee ice sphere. A 2.5” ice sphere expertly crafted from your Pressice Barware ice ball maker. Our 2.5” ice spheres are the biggest on the market and lend themselves to longer and more enjoyable drinkability for each and every cocktail you fix. They are also the ideal ice spheres for coffee ice. 

 For the best results with your coffee ice sphere, we suggest taking some time to measure out your beans and grind them accordingly. Boil some water and prepare your grinds in your chosen brewing vessel. Your coffee brewing method and your beans of choice are purely based on your preferences. But for this combination, a darker roast type will enrich and enhance the flavors and aromas at hand. 

 As for brewing vessel and method, these are again up to you as the bartender and barista. Though some brewing methods synergize with dark roasted beans better than others. For example, dark roasts really shine in moka pots, espresso machines, or the quirky and dynamic AeroPress. 

 Once your coffee vessel and beans have been chosen, now it is time to brew your coffee accordingly. Once brewed you can fill the silicone mold that comes included with your Pressice Barware ice sphere kit with hot coffee and place it in the freezer immediately. The hot coffee will then experience the astonishing Mpemba effect. This is when hot liquid freezes faster in cold temperatures than cold liquid. Once your coffee has been poured into your silicone mold, keep it in the freezer until it is completely frozen to be used in your Pressice Barware ice ball press. Your mold will yield four coffee ice cubes that can be expertly and precisely crafted into 2.5” coffee ice spheres in your Pressice Barware kit. Using your silicone mold is an indispensable step as the mold will help to yield a non-diluted coffee ice block that will be transformed by your ice kit into an incredible coffee ice sphere.

Ice Ball Press Melting ice into a sphere

As for brewing vessel and method, these are again up to you as the bartender and barista. Though some brewing methods synergize with dark roasted beans better than others. For example, dark roasts really shine in moka pots, espresso machines, or the quirky and dynamic AeroPress.

Once your coffee vessel and beans have been chosen, now it is time to brew your coffee accordingly. Once brewed you can fill the silicone mold that comes included with your Pressice Barware ice sphere kit with hot coffee and place it in the freezer immediately. The hot coffee will then experience the astonishing Mpemba effect. This is when hot liquid freezes faster in cold temperatures than cold liquid. Once your coffee has been poured into your silicone mold, keep it in the freezer until it is completely frozen to be used in your Pressice Barware ice ball press. Your mold will yield four coffee ice cubes that can be expertly and precisely crafted into 2.5” coffee ice spheres in your Pressice Barware kit. Using your silicone mold is an indispensable step as the mold will help to yield a non-diluted coffee ice block that will be transformed by your ice kit into an incredible coffee ice sphere.

As for the benefits of putting in the extra leg-work brewing your coffee like a barista, the advantages will be very pronounced in terms of flavor, artistry, sophistication, aroma, and overall enjoyment of your final cocktail product. That is not to say you cannot get your coffee for your ice spheres from a cheaper, easier, and quicker source but the quality will be noticeably different. 

Whichever option you choose for your coffee ice ball, make sure it is prepared well in advance before mixing this nuanced cocktail. Otherwise, you may be waiting on a pot of coffee while your other ingredients get too warm. When you are ready to make the Russian Lady, remove one of your coffee ice cubes from the freezer. Then, place it between the two halves of your Pressice Barware ice ball press. Now, watch as your press effortlessly crafts a perfect 2.5” coffee ice sphere in less than a minute.

Once you have your crucial Pressice Barware coffee ice ball frozen and ready, it is time to fix the rest of the cocktail!

Combine The Flavorful Ingredients

First, take out your coffee ice ball and place it in your Old-Fashioned glass. For the best result, place the whole thing in the freezer or fridge until the rest of your cocktail is ready for pouring. Then, add your 1 oz/30 ml of Kahlua, 1 oz/30 ml of Vodka, and your half-and-half into your cocktail shaker. 

Now, cover and shake your cocktail shaker for about 10 seconds. 

Next, remove the shaker cover and strain the cocktail into the Old-Fashioned glass that includes your Pressice Barware coffee ice ball. 

Finally, use your cola to top off your cocktail and enjoy the Russian Lady.

The Best Times and Places to Enjoy the Russian Lady

Besides the innocuous “anytime, anyplace” response when asked when’s the best time and place to enjoy the Russian Lady, there are a few choice times and environs where the Russian Lady truly shines.

Though the coffee in the Russian Lady doesn’t suggest the best choice for a nightcap, it still certainly can be! The Russian Lady is a unique drink for smaller gatherings and more intimate meetings. Perhaps poker nights with friends or as a good afternoon cocktail to watch the game. Of course, the caffeine and cola make for a superb drink to start a night out with. The Russian Lady at the casino, enjoying a cigar, or the vivacious atmosphere of the jazz bar or lounge reigns supreme. The Russian Lady is a great choice for relaxed days like Sunday afternoons at home, but additionally, can make for a superb brunch cocktail to enjoy along with some innervating conversations with friends and family. Don't count this drink out when weathering snowstorms or other types of extreme weather that make for a day of kicking back and taking it slow but with the energy to enjoy a great film or immersive book. 

From Russia with Love, Courtesy of Pressice Barware

The Russian Lady is a superb and elegant coffee cocktail. One that can be expertly and precisely prepared at home. All thanks to the superior craftsmanship and skill one gets every time you mix or brew with the Pressice Barware round ice cube mold. Don't keep this lady waiting, mix the Russian Lady today and enjoy a thrilling coffee cocktail.