As a sommelier and brewer, I have extensive knowledge about the ingredients and composition of various alcoholic beverages. When it comes to White Russians, one of the key ingredients is the liqueur used, which typically contains sugar. In fact, traditional White Russians are known for their creamy and slightly sweet taste, which is partially achieved through the addition of sugar.
To provide a more specific answer, let's take a closer look at the ingredients commonly used in a White Russian. The classic recipe calls for vodka, coffee liqueur (such as Kahlua), and heavy cream or milk. While vodka and cream do not contain sugar, the coffee liqueur is where the sweetness comes into play.
Coffee liqueurs, including Kahlua, are made by infusing coffee beans with alcohol and adding sweeteners. These sweeteners can vary, but they often include sugar or other syrups. The exact amount of sugar in a White Russian will depend on the particular brand and type of coffee liqueur used.
To give you an idea, a standard serving size of a White Russian is typically around 2 ounces of vodka, 1 ounce of coffee liqueur, and 1 ounce of cream. Considering the sugar content of coffee liqueur, which can range from 20 to 25 grams of sugar per ounce, you can estimate that a traditional White Russian contains approximately 21.5 grams of sugar per serving.
It's important to note that this sugar content is an approximation and can vary depending on the specific ingredients and proportions used. Additionally, if you choose to use a different type of sweetened liqueur or add additional sweeteners, the sugar content may be different.
Personally, I find that the sweetness of a White Russian adds a pleasant balance to the creamy and coffee flavors. However, if you prefer a less sweet drink, you can consider using a sugar-free or low-sugar coffee liqueur alternative. Experimenting with different brands and ratios of ingredients allows you to tailor the sweetness to your own taste preferences.
A traditional White Russian does contain sugar, primarily from the coffee liqueur used in the recipe. The amount of sugar can vary depending on the specific brand and type of coffee liqueur, but on average, you can expect around 21.5 grams of sugar per serving.