Name: Gingerbread White Russian Cocktail Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/4 cup honey; 3 tablespoons molasses; 1 inch fresh ginger, sliced; 2 cinnamon sticks; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 ounces (1/4 cup) vodka; 1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) Kahlúa; 1-2 ounces (2-4 tablespoons) gingerbread syrup; 1-2 ounces (2-4 tablespoons) heavy cream; Cinnamon sticks and gingerbread cookies, for garnish

Nothing says cozy like a little holiday magic in a glass, and that’s exactly what you get with this Gingerbread White Russian Cocktail Recipe. It’s rich, spiced, and creamy — the kind of cocktail that warms you up from the inside out and tastes like a festive celebration in every sip.

A clear round glass holds a layered drink with a light brown base, topped by a thick creamy white layer, sprinkled with cinnamon powder on top. The glass rim is coated with a light brown sugary mix. A small brown gingerbread cookie in the shape of a person, decorated with white icing dots, rests on the rim. Inside the drink, there is a small cinnamon stick and a dark brown cube, resembling a spice. This is set on a white marbled surface dusted with powdered sugar, decorated with golden star ornaments and scattered gingerbread cookies. Warm blurred lights glow softly in the background, creating a cozy atmosphere. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Gingerbread White Russian Cocktail Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Gingerbread White Russian Cocktail Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Gingerbread White Russian Cocktail Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve found this Gingerbread White Russian Cocktail Recipe is the perfect way to switch up your usual festive drinks. It’s got that silky, smooth vibe of a classic White Russian, but that homemade gingerbread syrup takes it to another level of holiday coziness.

Comfort in a glass: The warm spices of ginger and cinnamon combined with the creamy texture make every sip feel like a hug on a chilly night.
Easy to make at home: With simple ingredients and just a few minutes to prep a gingerbread syrup, you can impress friends or just treat yourself.
Perfect holiday crowd-pleaser: It’s familiar enough for White Russian lovers but with a festive twist that sparks conversation.
Flexible and fun to customize: You can adjust the syrup and cream levels to suit your mood or dietary preference.

Two round clear glasses sit on a white marbled surface dusted with white powdered sugar. Each glass has three visible layers: a bottom caramel brown layer, a middle creamy white layer, and a top dusting of fine cocoa powder, with the rim coated in sugar. A small brown snowflake-shaped cookie with white icing spots rests on the rim of each glass. One glass shows a cinnamon stick inside. Around the glasses are more similar snowflake-shaped cookies and golden decorations. The warm lighting gives a cozy, soft glow to the scene photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

All the ingredients come together to create a cocktail that’s cozy, creamy, and perfectly spiced. The gingerbread syrup is the real hero here—homemade and packed with flavor—while the vanilla extract rounds everything out beautifully.

Flat lay of fresh sliced ginger root pieces, two whole cinnamon sticks, a small white ceramic bowl of rich dark molasses, a small white ceramic bowl of golden honey, a small white ceramic bowl of light creamy heavy cream, a small white ceramic bowl of dark coffee liqueur, a small white ceramic bowl of dark amber gingerbread syrup, a small white ceramic bowl of clear vodka, a single whole uncracked brown egg, a few gingerbread cookies arranged neatly, all ingredients arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Honey: Adds a natural sweetness that balances the spices without being overpowering.
Molasses: Gives that deep, rich gingerbread flavor and a hint of complexity.
Fresh ginger: Infuses the syrup with a warm, zesty kick that makes this cocktail stand out.
Cinnamon sticks: Classic holiday spice that warms up the syrup and the final drink.
Vanilla extract: A subtle sweetness that mellows the spices and ties the flavors together.
Vodka: The neutral base of the cocktail lets the gingerbread flavors shine.
Kahlua: Adds the coffee liqueur richness essential for a White Russian.
Gingerbread syrup: The star ingredient — homemade and bursting with holiday spice.
Heavy cream: Gives the drink that luscious, velvety finish everyone loves.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

While I adore the original version, I love how this cocktail invites you to play around. Adjust the sweetness or creaminess to match your mood and make it truly yours.

Variation: Try swapping heavy cream for coconut cream for a dairy-free delight that still feels luxurious. I’ve done this for cozy nights when I wanted something a little lighter and vegan-friendly.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Gingerbread White Russian Cocktail Recipe

Step 1: Make the Gingerbread Syrup

Start by combining honey, molasses, sliced ginger, and cinnamon sticks in a small saucepan with water. I usually bring it just to a simmer and let it gently bubble for about 5 minutes. This extracts all those lovely spicy aromas without boiling away the delicate flavors. Then remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract, and strain out the solids once it cools slightly.

Step 2: Mix the Cocktail

In a rocks glass filled with ice, pour in the vodka, Kahlua, and 2–4 tablespoons of your gingerbread syrup (adjust to taste). Stir gently to combine all those cozy flavors.

Step 3: Add the Creamy Finish

Top it off with 2–4 tablespoons of heavy cream poured slowly over the back of a spoon for a lovely layered effect. You can also just pour it right in if you prefer it mixed — I like to do both depending on my mood!

Top Tip

From my experience blending this Gingerbread White Russian Cocktail Recipe, a little finesse with the syrup makes all the difference. Don’t rush the simmering step — that’s where the magic happens!

Simmer Slowly: Heating the syrup ingredients gently brings out deeper ginger and cinnamon flavors without making the syrup taste burnt or bitter.
Adjust Sweetness Gradually: Add syrup little by little to your cocktail, tasting as you go—everyone’s sweetness preference is different!
Layer Cream Slowly: Pouring cream over a spoon creates a beautiful marbled effect that looks as good as it tastes.
Use Fresh Ginger: It adds a brightness and zing that dried ginger just can’t match.

How to Serve Gingerbread White Russian Cocktail Recipe

Gingerbread White Russian - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always garnish mine with a cinnamon stick and a gingerbread cookie perched on the rim. It’s charming, smells fantastic, and adds a little extra festive fun to each drink. Plus, the cinnamon stick doubles as a stirrer!

Side Dishes

Pair your Gingerbread White Russian with spiced nuts, chocolate-covered pretzels, or even ginger snap cookies for a cozy, indulgent combo. These little bites complement the cocktail’s flavors without overpowering them.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I sometimes rim the glasses with cinnamon sugar to add sparkle and sweetness upfront. Another time, I layered the drink in small Mason jars with whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg for a charming winter party serving.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

The gingerbread syrup keeps beautifully in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to two weeks. Just warm it gently before using, and give it a stir if it separates. I find it so handy to have on hand for last-minute cocktails or even drizzling over pancakes.

Freezing

I haven’t tried freezing the syrup, as the texture changes with molasses and honey, but the syrup is quick enough to make fresh that I recommend sticking to refrigeration. The assembled cocktail is best fresh and shouldn’t be frozen.

Reheating

When reheating the syrup, do it gently on low heat or in the microwave with short bursts to avoid burning. Stir well before mixing back into cocktails. The key is warming enough to loosen it, but not boiling.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I prepare the gingerbread syrup in advance?

Absolutely! The gingerbread syrup can be made 1-2 weeks ahead and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Just warm it slightly before using, and it’s ready to go.

What can I use instead of heavy cream?

If you want a lighter or dairy-free option, coconut cream or almond milk creamers work well. They add creaminess without the dairy, although the texture might be slightly different.

How spicy is the Gingerbread White Russian Cocktail?

The spice level is mild to moderate, mostly depending on the amount of ginger and cinnamon in the syrup. You can control the kick by adjusting the quantity of fresh ginger and cinnamon sticks when making the syrup.

Can I make this cocktail for a group party?

Definitely! Multiply the gingerbread syrup and cocktail ingredients accordingly. I like to prepare the syrup in a larger batch beforehand and mix individual cocktails fresh to keep that creamy texture perfect.

Final Thoughts

This Gingerbread White Russian Cocktail Recipe is such a treat — it brings just enough holiday spirit to feel special without fussy steps or ingredients. Making it always feels like a little celebration, and sharing it with friends never fails to get compliments. So go ahead, give this recipe a try and cozy up with something deliciously different this season. You’ll be so glad you did!