RC
A few months ago I stumbled upon the song ‘Russian Cream’ by Key Glock. I don’t believe I had ever heard the song at that point; or, perhaps I had heard it in passing. Nevertheless, I was tremendously moved by the song. It became a staple in my morning playlist and my pre-workout playlist. I would play the song while getting dressed for a fun night out also. I would even find myself muttering the lyrics while doing chores around my apartment. Now there’s a number of reasons why I grew an attachment to this song (the song obviously being a BANGER), but I rather focus on one particular reason above the rest.
Towards the end of Key Glock’s final verse he raps, “My heart cold, can't show no love” which signifies that he’s this unsympathetic lyricist or person. And I’d argue Key Glock is just the opposite. In his lyrical breakdown of the song (3:18 minute mark), Key Glock even mentions the harsh times he faced while being raised by his grandmother. How he would give her hell while she tried her best to give him a comfortable life. He praises her resilience and efforts to ensure her grandchild’s safety and well-being. Would an unsympathetic person say something like this? I doubt it.
Besides his rough life growing up, Key Glock has faced further adversity in the form of tragedy. On November 11th, 2021, Key Glock’s cousin-in-law and legendary Memphis rapper, Young Dolph, was brutally shot and killed in front of Makeda's Homemade Butter Cookies. Young Dolph wasn’t just a cousin to Key Glock. He was a friend, brother, mentor and father-figure. I can’t even fathom the lost of someone so beloved by Key and many others—including myself. It’s hard to overcome any harsh reality especially the acceptance of the departed. And that’s why this song resonates with me so much.
I’ve lost many loved ones over the 29 years I’ve been allowed on this earth. You carry those traumas with you forever while trying to move in a callous world. A world filled with people that much rather forget about an awful experience than ever reapproach it to understand themselves better. The song, ‘Russian Cream’, is able to touch me on a spiritual level. It displays a man that has combat his cruel otherworldly experiences with moments of triumph. It’s a motivational tool useful to any curious listener. I’ll continue playing the song for a long time as I endure the good and bad. I’m sure Key Glock will do just the same.
I’ve had a White Russian many times in my life, but I thought the drink displayed a certain picturization of the way people hide tragedy as well as myself. It has this dark underbelly but this signature cream on top. It’s almost like my life as an adult. There could be deep, troubling things flowing inside me, but I’m this chipper being on the outside. The cream is a surprise as much as the vodka-coffee concoction underneath. The frothed cream’s thick and viscous layer floating above is able to soothe people while hiding the true darkness during consumption. Oh, how everyone has their moments of being a White Russian until the inevitable mixing of both parts. If you do have to put on a mask or show for others to hide the dark parts and you’re reading this, I understand and can only hope your inevitable mixing happens when you’re ready and not anytime sooner.
White Russian
ingredients
the drink
2oz Vodka
2oz Kahlua
2oz. heavy cream (frothed or shaken with ice)
garnish with some ground cinnamon (optional)
boozy ice cream
2c heavy cream
1c organic whole milk
vanilla bean scraped or vanilla bean paste
8 whole eggs
3/4c sugar
1t kosher salt
1t vodka
1t kahlua
optional: 1t cinnamon + nutmeg
top with caramel drizzle
Helpful items:
cocktail shaker
measuring jigger
medium sauce pot
measuring cups
milk frother
a glass
medium size bowl
whisk or hand mixer
recipe (white russian):
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add kahlua and vodka. Shake well and pour into glass. In another cocktail shaker (or the same one after being cleaned), pour in heavy cream and froth until the cream thickens. Gently pour into glass. Enjoy!
Note: I prefer to not mix my white russian together as the coffee taste and cream create a nice textural presentation while drinking.
recipe (boozy ice cream):
In a medium size bowl, add eggs and sugar. Mix together until creamy consistency. Set aside.
In a medium sauce pot, add heavy cream, milk and vanilla bean paste. Stir. Add egg mix from Step 1. Stir. Add salt, vodka, kahlua and spices. Stir. Warm on stove for 3-4 minutes. Turn off stove and allow mixture to cool for 20-30 minutes.
Carefully place mixture from Step 3 into ice cream machine and churn based on the ice cream machine’s instructions.
Ice cream should thicken somewhat in machine, but it totally depends on the quality of the machine. The machine linked above had the ice cream mixture a bit thick after churning, but it still took a full night in the freezer to reach the desired texture.
Place ice cream mixture into air tight container and place in freezer overnight. Enjoy!
