Cutwater White Russian is a canned cocktail made by Cutwater Spirits that has flavors reminiscent of the classic White Russian cocktail. It contains vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream, blended together to create a sweet and indulgent drink. As a ready-to-drink cocktail, it provides a convenient way to enjoy the flavors of a White Russian without having to mix it yourself.
The Flavors
The main flavors in Cutwater White Russian come from its key ingredients:
- Vodka – This provides a subtle backbone of alcohol flavor.
- Coffee liqueur – Coffee liqueur like Kahlua adds rich, roasted coffee notes.
- Cream – Heavy cream lends a creamy, velvety texture and flavor.
Together these ingredients create a sweet and creamy cocktail with layers of flavor. The coffee liqueur provides a distinctive roasted aroma and taste, while the cream smooths out the drink and enhances its sweetness. The vodka adds just a hint of alcohol bite underneath it all.
Aroma
When you open a can of Cutwater White Russian, you’ll immediately notice the rich scent of coffee and vanilla. This comes predominantly from the coffee liqueur, which uses coffee beans and vanilla to add aromatic flavor. There are also lighter notes of cream and subtle alcohol aromas from the vodka.
Flavor Profile
Taking a sip, you’ll find that Cutwater White Russian has a remarkably similar taste to a freshly mixed White Russian cocktail. Here are some of the standout flavors:
- Sweetness – The very first taste is sweet, thanks to the cream and coffee liqueur.
- Coffee – Robust coffee flavors come through, reminiscent of coffee ice cream.
- Vanilla – The coffee liqueur also provides a smooth vanilla undertone.
- Creamy – The heavy cream lends a rich, velvety mouthfeel.
- Subtle alcohol – There’s a faint alcohol taste on the finish from the vodka.
The sweetness of the cream and coffee liqueur is most pronounced, with the coffee and vanilla adding inviting complexity. The creaminess of the drink is also very noticeable and satisfying. The vodka is subtle in the background, providing just enough alcoholic strength.
Mouthfeel
Cutwater White Russian has a smooth, creamy, and slightly thick mouthfeel. The heavy cream makes it seem almost milkshake-like as it coats your mouth.
It’s refreshing and chilled straight from the can, but also has a comforting richness and weight. The coffee liqueur adds a touch of viscosity as well. The carbonation is fairly light, allowing the velvety texture of the cream to take center stage.
Sweetness
On a scale of 1 to 10, Cutwater White Russian is quite sweet, rating around an 8. The heavy cream and coffee liqueur bring pronounced sweetness. The vodka adds a little alcoholic bite to balance it out, but the lingering sweet cream and vanilla flavors make it taste like a decadent cocktail dessert.
Flavor Intensity
The flavors in Cutwater White Russian are robust and intense. The coffee flavors are very forward, as is the sweet creaminess. This gives it a flavor intensity rating around 8 out of 10.
The coffee liqueur used is strong and concentrated, allowing its roasted coffee bean flavor to stand out. And real heavy cream has a naturally rich dairy taste. So while sweet, the White Russian also has bold coffee and cream flavors.
Finish
The finish of Cutwater White Russian is sweet, creamy, and smooth. The heavy cream leaves a creamy coating on your tongue long after you swallow.
There’s a lingering sweetness from the vanilla and cocoa notes of the coffee liqueur as well. The finish is relatively long, especially compared to drier cocktails. A touch of alcohol heat kicks in on the end from the 80 proof vodka.
Balance
Cutwater White Russian is well-balanced between sweetness and flavor intensity. The heavy cream and coffee liqueur provide sweetness, while the bold coffee and vanilla flavors keep it from seeming too sugary.
The vodka is present but subtle, adding just enough alcoholic strength without overpowering the other flavors. This balance allows the creamy, dessert-like quality to shine through.
Bitterness
There is very little bitterness in Cutwater White Russian. Both the heavy cream and coffee liqueur have inherent sweetness that counteracts any bitterness.
The vodka also has a smooth taste profile. The only hint of bitterness comes from the slight astringency of the coffee flavors. But this remains gentle and in the background.
Carbonation
Cutwater White Russian has a low to moderate level of carbonation. There are small bubbles that provide a gentle fizziness and lift, but not enough to make it seem highly carbonated.
The minimal carbonation allows the thick, creamy mouthfeel to take prominence over any fizz. It has just enough to seem lively and refreshing.
Body
Cutwater White Russian has a medium-full body. It seems thicker and heavier than a standard beer or cocktail due to the heavy cream used. The cream contributes a smooth, milkshake-like density.
The coffee liqueur also boosts the viscosity slightly. So while lighter than a thick stout, it has a weight that fills the mouth and coats the palate.
Aftertaste
The aftertaste continues the sweet cream, coffee, and vanilla flavors. It coats your mouth as you swallow each sip.
There’s a pleasant sweetness that lingers on the palate along with a subtle creaminess. The coffee flavors taper off relatively quickly, leaving the sweet dairy impression most noticeable in the aftertaste.
Alcohol Strength
Cutwater White Russian has an alcohol content of 7% ABV (alcohol by volume). This equals about 14 proof, making it a milder cocktail option.
The alcohol itself has a smooth taste without any harsh burn. It provides a subtle backbone and just a bit of intoxicating strength. The creamy flavors help mellow out the vodka as well.
Acidity
In terms of acidity, Cutwater White Russian is fairly neutral. Heavy cream has a pH close to neutral, so it does not add sourness.
Neither the coffee liqueur or vodka have high acidity either. Overall, the pH balance is smooth and not too acidic.
Sensations
Drinking Cutwater White Russian provides rich, indulgent sensations. The velvety creaminess feels almost decadent, like you’re sipping on a cocktail milkshake.
The coffee flavors come through as gentle warmth, reminiscent of sipping a morning coffee but without the bitter edge. It evokes comforting feelings, yet with a sophisticated edge from the vodka.
Flaws
There are very few flaws in Cutwater’s canned White Russian. It delivers accurate and well-balanced flavors, very similar to a freshly mixed drink.
Some may find the sweetness slightly cloying after more than one can. And the heavy cream means it’s a filling, high-calorie cocktail option. But in terms of pure flavor, it’s a high quality and consistent product.
Serving Suggestions
Cutwater White Russian can be enjoyed straight from the can, ideally chilled for maximum refreshment. But it also works nicely over ice, allowing the cream to get even thicker and colder. Garnishing with coffee beans or a lemon twist can provide extra flavor and aroma. It also makes a great cocktail ingredient – try using it to make boozy milkshakes or cocktail floats.
Pairings
Here are some tasty food pairings for Cutwater White Russian:
- Cookies – The sweet creaminess pairs perfectly with cookies like chocolate chip, sugar, or oatmeal.
- Cheesecake – For ultimate dessert decadence, enjoy alongside rich, creamy cheesecake.
- Tiramisu – The coffee flavors complement this coffee-infused Italian dessert.
- Chocolate cake – The sweet, creamy drink matches nicely with dense chocolate cake.
- Ice cream – For a boozy float, pour White Russian over coffee or vanilla ice cream.
The creamy, coffee-infused flavors also complement dessert-like cocktails, tapas with savory dips, and rich seafood like salmon or tuna.
Occasions
Cutwater White Russian is perfect any time you crave a sweet, coffee-flavored treat. Here are some good occasions for enjoying it:
- Dessert – Sip it after dinner in place of dessert.
- Evening relaxation – Unwind in the evening with its comforting flavors.
- Brunch – Add a touch of indulgence to weekend brunch.
- Happy hour – Enjoy it with appetizers as a cocktail pick-me-up.
- Cocktail party – Impress guests with the classic White Russian flavors.
It can also make cozy winter evening treats like Irish coffee even more decadent, or provide a jolt of energy paired with morning coffee.
Price
Cutwater White Russian has an MSRP of $12.99 for a 4-pack of 7% ABV 12oz cans. This breaks down to about $3.25 per can or drink serving.
This positions it in the premium range for ready-to-drink cocktails, which tend to cost $2-5 per serving. While not the cheapest option, it delivers quality vodka, coffee liqueur, and real cream that justifies the higher price point for the convenience and accurate flavors.
Nutritional Information
Here is the nutritional profile of Cutwater White Russian according to the label:
| Nutrition Facts | Per 12 fl oz serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 280 |
| Carbohydrates | 18 g |
| Protein | 2 g |
| Total Fat | 16 g |
| Saturated Fat | 10 g |
| Sodium | 25 mg |
As expected given the heavy cream, the calorie, fat, and saturated fat contents are quite high. However the carbohydrate and protein amounts are relatively low. There are no artificial sweeteners added either. Keep this nutritional profile in mind if watching calories or fat intake.
Potential Allergens
Cutwater White Russian contains:
- Dairy (heavy cream)
- Tree nuts (almonds in coffee liqueur)
Those with dairy allergies or sensitivities should avoid it due to the heavy cream. It’s also processed in facilities that handle tree nuts.
Sustainability
Cutwater Spirits has taken some positive steps around sustainability practices:
- The vodka is distilled from wheat sourced from North American family farms.
- Their production facility runs on 100% renewable energy.
- Cutwater is certified by 1% For The Planet, donating 1% of sales to environmental nonprofits.
However, ready-to-drink cocktails tend to have a higher environmental impact than other drinks due to packaging and transport. The brand could continue improving by lightweighting materials, increasing recycled content, and pursuing end of life recycling programs.
Company Reputation
Cutwater Spirits was founded in 2016 in San Diego and has grown into one of the larger RTD cocktail brands. They’ve developed a reputation for quality ingredients and accurate flavors across their canned cocktail range.
The vodka, rum, tequila, and gin used in the Cutwater products are distilled in-house, allowing for control over quality. Their tasting room and distillery in San Diego are popular tourist destinations as well.
The brand has earned praise for delivering some of the best and most balanced ready-to-drink cocktails. Their White Russian in particular stands out for its authentic flavors that closely mimic the bar experience.
Conclusion
Overall, Cutwater White Russian succeeds as a quality canned cocktail with delicious coffee, vanilla, cream, and alcohol flavors. It tastes remarkably similar to a freshly mixed drink. The blend of coffee liqueur, heavy cream, and smooth vodka creates an indulgent flavor experience in a convenient format. Just be mindful of the higher calorie and fat contents. But if you want a satisfying coffee cocktail without the hassle of mixing, Cutwater White Russian is a delicious option to enjoy.