Coffee! A beverage we love all over the world. We take it in the morning, after a meal, and whenever we need a quick pick-me-up. Some people even take coffee in the middle of the night.

Once you become a coffee addict, you can never get tired of it because there are so many types of coffee to try.

You can enjoy a nice cold Frappuccino when it’s hot or drink a comforting cup of cappuccino on a cold day. A quick Espresso will wake you up in the afternoon when you feel sluggish.

And if you are adventurous, you may decide to make coffee like they do in other parts of the world. That means preparing coffees like Israeli, Turkish, and Russian coffee.

Of the coffee beverages mentioned above, Russian coffee is fascinating because few people have heard of it.

In this article, we’ll discuss how to make Russian coffee and learn a little more about it. You may like it and decide to prepare Russian coffee in your home once in a while.

Let’s start by learning where it came from.

History of Russian coffee

Russian coffee, as the name suggests, is coffee that’s made as the Russians prepare their coffee. Peter the Great I introduced coffee in Russia after learning about it during a trip to Holland.

The noblemen in the great monarch’s court did not embrace the coffee initially. They thought it was outlandish and referred to it as “smut syrup,” preferring to take tea.

It took some time for coffee to become a popular beverage in Russia. That’s because only noblemen and the wealthy could afford it.

Despite the divide between the rich and the poor, coffee eventually became a well-loved drink in Russia, creating a demand that led to the opening of the first coffee house in St. Petersburg during the 1700s.

The momentum of coffee’s popularity slowed down in Russia during the 19th century as the country experienced a political and social crisis.

To get through this period, citizens who had missed the beverage turned to coffee substitutes like barley and chicory root. These coffee alternatives provided them with the energy they would otherwise have gotten from coffee and kept them going until coffee was again in good supply.

Today, many Russians drink 1 or 2 cups of coffee a day. It is especially popular in St. Petersburg, where it was first introduced. That’s why citizens who take coffee in that city are referred to as “coffee pots.”

You’ll find many coffee shops scattered all over Petersburg, Moscow, and other Russian cities, where citizens enjoy the brew any time of the day. Some popular coffee beverages in Russia are Cappuccinos, Lattes, and Americanos.

While these 3 beverages are appreciated by Russian citizens, the country has its signature coffee. Here is some information about it.

 

Coffee Culture in Russia

According to statistics, at least 73 percent of Russians drink coffee daily. Dark coffees like Espresso or dark roasts are the most consumed coffees in the country. The coffee beans used to prepare coffee in Russia are mainly imported from Indonesia, Vietnam, and Brazil.

Russians prepare their coffee by adding lots of spices, cream, and milk. Some add liqueur, berries, chocolate, and other flavor-enhancing ingredients to their coffee. The main goal is always to make it as rich and tasty as possible.

Traditional Russian coffee is brewed in a Turkish – style brewing pot called a Turka or cezve. As coffee making becomes increasingly modernized, most Russians use Moka Pots and French press-style coffee plungers to brew coffee.

These coffee-making devices are preferred because they brew very strong coffee, and Russians love their coffee that way. They take their coffee with a snack or small meal as they chat or relax in cafes.

So, we can say coffee brings people together in Russia. It’s one of the most preferred drinks during social gatherings.

 

How to Make Russian Coffee

You can make Russian coffee in many different ways. Some like it with vodka, others without. There are also those who add lots of cream to it and top it up with some whipped cream.

Russians add cream or liquor to their coffee because they always go for warm, comforting drinks due to the predominantly cold weather there. Their coffee brewing process always starts with grinding fresh coffee beans.

Using fresh ingredients to brew coffee is an essential aspect of Russian coffee brewing. It contributes to creating a flavorful drink.

Just like people generally like coffee white or black, Russians also have the same versions of coffee. So you’ll find white Russian and black Russian coffee on most coffee menus.

Here are recipes for both coffees.

Black Russian Coffee Recipe

Ingredients

A shot of Russian Vodka

1/2 shot of Coffee liqueur

1/2 a shot of Amaretto liqueur

1 cup of hot, strong, black coffee/ 2 shots of Espresso

1 Tbsp of heavy cream

2 Tbsp of whipped cream

1 Tsp of sugar/ honey

 

Method

1. Pour the vodka, coffee liqueur, and Amaretto liqueur into a large coffee mug and stir.
2. Warm the heavy cream and stir it into the liqueur until you get a well-mixed base for your coffee.
3. Pour the hot coffee in last, stir in some sugar, and top your coffee with whipped cream.
4. Garnish your Russian black coffee with chocolate chips, a dusting of spices such as cinnamon, or a drizzle of your favorite syrup.
5. Enjoy your delicious mug of Russian coffee with a waffle or cookie on the side.

White Russian coffee recipe

You may be a person who prefers beverages like Lattes that require milk in them. If that’s the case, black Russian coffee may not appeal to your palate.

A better option is white Russian coffee which is made using milk. Here is how to make it.

Ingredients

A cup of hot, black, strong coffee/ 1 Espresso shot

1/2 cup of whole milk / Almond milk

A shot or two of coffee-flavored liqueur

A shot of Vodka

3 Tbsp of whipped cream

Method

1. Steam the milk by heating it gently on the stovetop.
2. Pour the hot milk and coffee into a large coffee mug.
3. Add vodka and coffee liqueur to the milky coffee.
4. Top your white Russian coffee with heaps of whipped cream.
5. Dust some cinnamon, cocoa, or chocolate shavings onto the coffee.
6. Enjoy your White Russian coffee with some chocolate-covered coffee beans or any other treat you desire.

 

Conclusion

Now that you know how to prepare Russian coffee, why don’t you make a mug? You’ll appreciate how warming and energizing it is.

Russian coffee is an ideal beverage to have when you are relaxing at home during the weekend.

We’ve given you just two recipes for preparing Russian coffee. You can also try others, such as how to make RAF coffee ( a signature Russian coffee beverage served in Moscow coffee houses).

Wine lovers may also like to try Caffe Russe, a type of Russian coffee prepared by combining vodka, red wine, coffee, and simple syrup.

There are so many types of Russian coffee you’ll never lack a recipe to try.