Meaning & use
virgin russian
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountable
A sweet, non-alcoholic cocktail made with coffee liqueur syrup, milk or cream, and often cola, similar to a Black Russian but without vodka.
Grammar: Countable: order a Virgin Russian, two Virgin Russians.
Patterns
- a Virgin Russian
- order a Virgin Russian
- make a Virgin Russian
Since I was driving, I asked the bartender for a Virgin Russian.
The menu lists a Virgin Russian as a kid-friendly mocktail.
She mixed a Virgin Russian with coffee syrup, milk, and a splash of cola.
Word forms
| plural | Virgin Russians |
|---|
Common combinations
- order a Virgin Russian
- He ordered a Virgin Russian because he doesn't drink alcohol.
- make a Virgin Russian
- Can you make a Virgin Russian without cream?
- a Virgin Russian on the menu
- There's a Virgin Russian on the menu for non-drinkers.
Synonyms and how they differ
- mocktail
- A general word for any non-alcoholic cocktail; Virgin Russian is a specific type.
Commonly confused: virgin russian or Black Russian? virgin russian or White Russian?
virgin russian vs Black Russian
A Black Russian contains vodka and coffee liqueur; a Virgin Russian has no alcohol.
virgin russian vs White Russian
A White Russian adds cream to vodka and coffee liqueur; a Virgin Russian omits the vodka.
Practice
What is the main difference between a Virgin Russian and a Black Russian?
Choose one answer.
The word virgin in drink names means 'without alcohol,' so a Virgin Russian has no vodka. The other options describe serving temperature or ingredients that are not typical.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “virgin russian”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.