<P> Though long regarded as a boring and unsophisticated drink, the White Russian saw a surge in popularity after the 1998 release of the film The Big Lebowski, throughout which it appears as the protagonist's beverage of choice . Literary critic Craig Owens has examined the drink's role in the film, observing that its name and casual preparation reflect what he saw as the protagonist's New Left politics and "castrated masculinity". </P> <P> As with all cocktails, various modes of preparation exist, varying according to the recipes and styles of particular bars or mixologists . Most common varieties have adjusted amounts of vodka or coffee liqueur, or mixed brands of coffee liqueur . Shaking the cream in order to thicken it prior to pouring it over the drink is also common . Sometimes the drink is prepared on the stove with hot coffee for a warm treat on cold days . </P> <P> Many variants of the cocktail exist, both localised and widely known, such as a White Canadian (made with goat's milk), an Anna Kournikova (named after the tennis player, made with skimmed milk, i.e. a "skinny, low - fat" White Russian), a White Cuban (made with rum instead of vodka), or a Dirty Russian (made with chocolate milk instead of cream). </P>

What is a white russian with rum called