Well talk about coincidence, a day after watching this video, a young lady came into my liquor store wanting to make White Russians at her office party. I gave her all the information I learned from your video, along with a recommendation of watching it before her party.
I finally got to try this drink tonight. I didn't think it was drinkable as presented. The vodka stands out a lot from the other ingredients and it's not easy to take in the right amount of cream as you drink. It was a ton of work to shake the cream to the right consistency. I can see why comments in this video suggest 1:1:1 ratios instead and also mentioned adding 1/4-1/2 oz simple syrup. I enjoyed Leandro's Black Irish a lot more. Much easier to make and much easier to drink. Edit: I'm realizing now that my drink may have been doomed because I used Absolut. I'll try to get a bottle of Prarie vodka next time and see if that makes the drink work.
Wow. Love the method for the cream. I've tried layering milk with a bar spoon before with so so results. Definitely adding a squeeze bottle to my equip now.
I like to shake the liqueur & vodka in a Boston shaker with ice and strain it into the glass over ice. Then I shake my cream in the shaker with the used ice to get some flavour into it and then pour it over a protruding ice cube in the glass to help later it. Less hassle than removing the strainer from the hawthorn for me. This one looks good too though. Enjoy it buddy, however you make it.
Now that I have started an online bartending course your videos on how to create cocktails are my savior. My family is staunchly anti-alcohol so it's damn near impossible to do any hands on practicing but being able to watch it while studying up on the ingredients is the next best thing. Thanks a lot guy! But I've seen 2 different recipes for the white Russian now. 1 oz of vodka and 2. What is correct?
you make a hell of a Caucasian Jackie. Made this exact recipe the other day (minus the spring shake thingy) and this is an excellent White Russian. Mr Black Coffee Liqueur is definitely superior to Kahula in my opinion. Possibly the best White Russian i've ever had.
The first time I made one of these I got nervous shaking the cream and it basically turned into a solid lump of cheese. I mean, it was funny, sure, but you never forget a dozen golfers laughing at you.
Jasper Mehringer i probably could have done one google search to figure that out but I didn’t before I shot and did t want to speak to it. What I meant to say is the company roast their own beans and makes the coffee and distills the spirit!
Mr. Black is the best coffee liqueur I've found on the market so far. Makes a fantastic Espresso Martini or White Russian. Also tastes great just simply dropped into an iced coffee. Superb stuff.
Looks great. Do you think using an ISI whipped cream whipper to make the foam would be blasphemous? I figure I could save myself some shaking. Maybe dispense it right onto the drink or into a squeeze bottle to layer it like you did. No idea of the squeeze bottle will work; will have to give that a test
True story. I was in VFW and we were telling stories about all that good stuff. I ordered a black russian. The young hottie they hired to tend said she knew how to make a white russian, but not mine. You can't make this stuff up.
So it was a drink originally made to honor the ambassador from Luxembourg.... damn I knew there was a good reason to like Luxembourg besides them being a tiny country that somehow, someway, stayed sovereign into the 21st century.
So I’m brand new to all this mixology stuff, but I’ve been watching various mixology channels for a bit! I just realized that shaved/grated nutmeg might be a good topping to compliment this drink. Am I right in that assumption or is that like, a misstep? I know drinks are meant to be enjoyed however the person drinking them likes it, but is that, in a more experienced person’s eyes, a good combo?
Are you using whipping cream, half & half or milk? And is the Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur similar to PATRON XO CAFE? How would you drink this, with a straw? I could see a mustache coming? Thanks
I know this is old but I was so excited to see prairie vodka, then so disappointed that he mixed up the states. There's even a "crafted in Minnesota" right on the back
*_Here in Bangor, Maine we are using Kahlua Midnight and it's a darker, richer version of the classic. Much cheaper and better tasting than Mr. Black IMHO. Good luck!_*
So I have a question: there's a distillery local to me called Belle Isle Moonshine and they have a cold brew coffee moonshine that's made in partnership with a local roaster, it's made the same way you make cold brew coffee just replacing water with moonshine. The difference between this and the Mr. Black is that it's still moonshine, and not a liqueur. It is still very heavy on the coffee flavor and actually quite smooth. Do you think this would be an acceptable substitution for coffee liqueurs in cocktails, or should I stick to enjoying it on it's own?
I am gonna throw this out there, no shade, but when you tilted it your favorite White Russian I did expect a little more of a difference than just shaking your own cream 😂 or using mr black and a different brand of vodka. Hey other than being a little misleading great vid!
I mean I didn’t say I reinvented the wheel I just said this was my favorite version of the drink. If I’d made something a lot different from the original it wouldn’t be a White Russian anymore. So glad you liked the video but really failing to see how it’s mislead anyone 😂
@@TheEducatedBarfly whatever floats your boat buddy I was just commenting my personal opinion. This is what comment sections are for (btw I’ve seen few really interesting takes on White Russians hence my assumption that you were going to spice it up somehow some way to make it “your favorite”. Lol)
How much heavy cream should the 1 oz. Irish Cream & 1 oz. Creme de Coco be added to as stipulated in the "Quick Note" to kick up the cream used in the cocktail? Thanks in advance.
Ive done it with half and half and milk and evaporated milk and light cream. Didn’t like it, the only version Ive liked was when I used actual liquid whipped cream or rather the heavy cream you whip to make whipped cream. That is so sweet and creamy it helps with the awful mix that is coffee and vodka.
it would change it. a non alcoholic version of a white russian would just be coffee and cream. but try it the way we made it and see. You can try with the club soda, but the combination of club soda and coffee, not sure what kind of mouthfeel that would result in.
Would frothing milk with a steamer and using the foam of the milk be a nice/alternative effect? Or do you think that would ruin the drink by having a warm component and a cold?
I've always wondered this - Why stir in a separate glass for some drinks with ice and strain, and then some drinks you can just build over ice and stir? What's the reason for this?
it's really preference. When I'm working in a busy bar I tend to make stirred rocks drinks in their glass because I can. Some people think that preparing a drink in a mixing glass and straining over ice is better presentation. In some cases it's functional and in others it's preference.
@@TheEducatedBarfly Good to know! I work in a busy bar as well, and I always stir in a mixing glass and strain over ice, however no one orders at the bar, I get dockets sent to me. So presentation wise, no ones really watching aside from the customers walking to their seats. I might mix it up more when busy to save some more time!
So, wha tis the vodka for other than to up the octane? the coffee liquer is already 70-80 proof isn't it? Alternatively, you could use coffee or espresso and vodka or any kind of liquer for that matter with some Readiwhip. Next why not show us how to make Kahlua? There are so many different recipies it is bewildering. I have a couple that I like, but there are likely hundreds of them.
MrSelfDistrucht it isn’t for me but for some people maybe, it worked for Tito when he said Tito’s was gluten free...for me it’s a marketing thing trying to tap into the “healthy booze” market to distinguish itself from other vodkas. That being said it is great quality Vodka. And thanks for the compliment!
The Educated Barfly it absolutely is marketing, and it's genius... I mean, we have gluten free milk now, it's great... I'll check out this vodka, I love trying new brands of spirits.
Looks amazing! Am in LA as well. Where did you fine Mr. Black? Have been hunting for it based on your recommendation. Thanks for the videos. Truly enjoy them.
I haven’t had mr black yet, but I heard it’s no too sweet. I almost think a variation with some good rum instead of vodka and play with the parts; maybe equal or lean a little towards the mr b or the rum to taste.
El duderino, if you're not into the whole brevity thing. I seriously hope you never met someone who actually thought Lebowski created the caucassian. Maybe he gets credit for the variant with powdered creamer.
Cool video/recipe. Very informative and entertaining. BUT wouldn’t your first few sips be straight up unsweetened whipped cream? That doesn’t sound too enjoyable to me. First thing id do Is mix it up. Again, great video, look forward to others
Robert Alessi um.. mix it, no but seriously there’s two ways to enjoyably drink this. See everyone wants to have a straw but cocktails served in short glasses aren’t meant to have a straw. If you sipped this Cocktail from the rim of the glass you’ll actually drink the cocktail through the cream, because the cocktail is denser than the light and fluffy cream you’ll get it all at once, and it’s wonderfully enjoyable. Secondly you can always mix it together. If you want to sweeten the cocktail add .25 or .5 ounces of simple syrup to it and if you want to sweeten the cream add .5 ounces creme de cacao and .5 ounces Carolans Irish cream and it’ll be delectable!
The Educated Barfly It’s the same way an Irish Coffee is meant to be enjoyed. If made properly you drink straight through the cream, all parts of the drink combining as you sip it
@@ccubed7861 The cream is also done this way so it's the customer's discretion to mix the cream in or not. People can and will get pissed if you mix it in already for them. In general just don't mix it in to be safe (Usually the people who order this drink really love it already so it is generally "safer" to not mix it in). Note that this is all for those tips :D and a good customer experience.
Never isolated that scene before and noticed that he's pushed into one limo after exiting another. 😂
Such a perfect movie.
Whats the movie?
@@mmusibogopane2225 The Big Lebowski
Hey hey careful man , there is a beverage here🌈✌🌱
The presentation on this drink is awesome. Going to have to make it.
Well talk about coincidence, a day after watching this video, a young lady came into my liquor store wanting to make White Russians at her office party. I gave her all the information I learned from your video, along with a recommendation of watching it before her party.
This channel has became one of my favorite.. such good regular content.. keep it up! 👌
Thank you Benji
The trick for whipping the cream is excellent. Definitely using that at my bar. Thanks!
Try it with a protein shaker, i know that the dead rabbit uses one for irish coffee
Love this take on it! Gonna be making these with breakfast this weekend, I think.
how was your breakfast 4 years ago?
So beautiful, I've seen alot of techniques but this is grand
Just made this. Brother.......absolutely amazing!!!! Mr. Black is amazing!!!
Stayed in the Hotel Metropole two weeks ago and had no idea my favourite drink came from there, thanks for the information!
I usually mix vodka, coffee liquor and cream 1:1:1, think it is best proportions for this coctail.
I finally got to try this drink tonight. I didn't think it was drinkable as presented. The vodka stands out a lot from the other ingredients and it's not easy to take in the right amount of cream as you drink. It was a ton of work to shake the cream to the right consistency. I can see why comments in this video suggest 1:1:1 ratios instead and also mentioned adding 1/4-1/2 oz simple syrup.
I enjoyed Leandro's Black Irish a lot more. Much easier to make and much easier to drink.
Edit: I'm realizing now that my drink may have been doomed because I used Absolut. I'll try to get a bottle of Prarie vodka next time and see if that makes the drink work.
For my 21st birthday my mom and her sister took me to Seattle, we started drinking at Ivar's Acres of clams and I drank White Russians all day,
Nice presentation. I like that trick with the strainer wire
Wow. Love the method for the cream. I've tried layering milk with a bar spoon before with so so results. Definitely adding a squeeze bottle to my equip now.
just remember to add the coil from a Hawthorne Strainer into the squeeze bottle that will help you whip the cream a lot faster than without
I like to shake the liqueur & vodka in a Boston shaker with ice and strain it into the glass over ice. Then I shake my cream in the shaker with the used ice to get some flavour into it and then pour it over a protruding ice cube in the glass to help later it. Less hassle than removing the strainer from the hawthorn for me.
This one looks good too though. Enjoy it buddy, however you make it.
@Jerry Bluhm just shake the tar out of it. Or one of those protein shake shakers.
hey careful man there's a beverage here. but i love using godiva chocolate Liqueur 1oz
to it that adds some smooth silkiness
Mr. Black is amazing!
What I do is 2oz mr black 1oz vodka of choice topped wtih milk and instead of ice i use vanilla icecream to chill
I really enjoyed this variation. Well done.
beautiful cocktail. Exactly my method but I like what you did with the coil and cream. noted.
Awesome technique with the heavy cream!
Tis a grand way to make butter for sure.
Looks beautiful. I really like the whipped cream trick.
Great channel, keep up the good work!
thank you!
Make it his way then try this with equal parts 1 ounce each and let me know which you like better.
What a beautiful drink!!!! thanks for making it for us : )
Now that I have started an online bartending course your videos on how to create cocktails are my savior. My family is staunchly anti-alcohol so it's damn near impossible to do any hands on practicing but being able to watch it while studying up on the ingredients is the next best thing. Thanks a lot guy!
But I've seen 2 different recipes for the white Russian now. 1 oz of vodka and 2. What is correct?
2 is my preferred
The Dude approves this video man
you make a hell of a Caucasian Jackie. Made this exact recipe the other day (minus the spring shake thingy) and this is an excellent White Russian. Mr Black Coffee Liqueur is definitely superior to Kahula in my opinion. Possibly the best White Russian i've ever had.
I just made this with Deaths Door vodka (another WS state product) and Mr. Black. Then I found this video. Great minds think alike.
Great info, straight to the point. Thank you for using Australian made goods
The first time I made one of these I got nervous shaking the cream and it basically turned into a solid lump of cheese.
I mean, it was funny, sure, but you never forget a dozen golfers laughing at you.
PorkPieDodger over whipped cream makes butter not cheese. Cheese requires mile or cream to be curdled separating the curds from the whey.
In Finland this is actually called Belarussian. Probably because Belarus roughly translated from Finnish means White-Russia.
evs251 in Russia were just called Russians
That's roughly what "Belarus" translates to in all languages. White Russia/White Ruthenia
RaptorJesus Weißrussland in German
Awesome! I'll make one now. And you look like the grumpy dude from New Girl, I think he's a bartender too. ;-)
I get that a lot
great vid. fyi cold brew is simply that, cold water and coffee grounds soaked for 8-12 hrs. less acidity and highly concentrated. cheers!
Jasper Mehringer i probably could have done one google search to figure that out but I didn’t before I shot and did t want to speak to it. What I meant to say is the company roast their own beans and makes the coffee and distills the spirit!
I like it in summer. A very smooth texture you think?
Garlic Girl yeah! Very smooth!
Mr. Black is the best coffee liqueur I've found on the market so far. Makes a fantastic Espresso Martini or White Russian. Also tastes great just simply dropped into an iced coffee. Superb stuff.
A beautiful and delicious drink, one of my favorites.
I love your videos so much!
Thank you Amber!
Wow; Beautiful!
Looks great. Do you think using an ISI whipped cream whipper to make the foam would be blasphemous? I figure I could save myself some shaking. Maybe dispense it right onto the drink or into a squeeze bottle to layer it like you did. No idea of the squeeze bottle will work; will have to give that a test
Never liked this drink so didn’t bother with it but just tried this and it’s delicious, Thanks
Thanks for the tips. Great channel. Hopefully we can catch a drink together some time. You seem like a chill guy. My lady and I love your channel
Thanks
Be good to see you taste the end results 😋 looks awesome!
if you watch the Aviation episode I take a nice sip right off the top of that one!
nice job!
True story. I was in VFW and we were telling stories about all that good stuff. I ordered a black russian. The young hottie they hired to tend said she knew how to make a white russian, but not mine. You can't make this stuff up.
Great video 👌
Amazing! Love your videos I learned so much; also try it with black cow vodka and kahlua!
Thanks James
How is the flavor compared to mixing the cream in?
I have the same question.
From my understanding the person who drinks it mixes it themself. The layering is just for show.
Generally you are supposed to mix in the cream; it gives the whole drink a really creamy and fatty flavor and viscous feeling.
Can you use the whipping cream again? will you have to re-shake. or is it best to use small amounts in a bottle and shake per order?
So it was a drink originally made to honor the ambassador from Luxembourg.... damn I knew there was a good reason to like Luxembourg besides them being a tiny country that somehow, someway, stayed sovereign into the 21st century.
The lesson here is, don't have oil.
Can I use kahula coffee liqueur ?
So I’m brand new to all this mixology stuff, but I’ve been watching various mixology channels for a bit! I just realized that shaved/grated nutmeg might be a good topping to compliment this drink. Am I right in that assumption or is that like, a misstep? I know drinks are meant to be enjoyed however the person drinking them likes it, but is that, in a more experienced person’s eyes, a good combo?
Are you using whipping cream, half & half or milk? And is the Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur similar to PATRON XO CAFE? How would you drink this, with a straw? I could see a mustache coming? Thanks
Heavy cream my friend and no nothing like patron xo
Minnesota! Prairie is made in MN. Don't be giving those cheese heads undue credit ;)
I know this is old but I was so excited to see prairie vodka, then so disappointed that he mixed up the states. There's even a "crafted in Minnesota" right on the back
Any cocktails that use Jameson and heavy cream?
Can’t find Mr. Black locally in PA. Any other recommendations for coffee liqueur?
Yes you can use Cafe Lolita but that is much sweeter than Mr. Black so disregard the suggestion of .5 simple that I put in the notes
*_Here in Bangor, Maine we are using Kahlua Midnight and it's a darker, richer version of the classic. Much cheaper and better tasting than Mr. Black IMHO. Good luck!_*
you can buy it online here: www.astorwines.com/SearchResultsSingle.aspx?p=2&search=37181&searchtype=Contains
Could try a simple coffee syrup as well. It’s not hard to make yourself.
So I have a question: there's a distillery local to me called Belle Isle Moonshine and they have a cold brew coffee moonshine that's made in partnership with a local roaster, it's made the same way you make cold brew coffee just replacing water with moonshine. The difference between this and the Mr. Black is that it's still moonshine, and not a liqueur. It is still very heavy on the coffee flavor and actually quite smooth. Do you think this would be an acceptable substitution for coffee liqueurs in cocktails, or should I stick to enjoying it on it's own?
Steven Filleman yeah why not, may be a little sweeter since moonshine is corn based but sounds like a great sub
@@TheEducatedBarfly Cool, I'll give it a try! Appreciate the speedy response, thanks!
I am gonna throw this out there, no shade, but when you tilted it your favorite White Russian I did expect a little more of a difference than just shaking your own cream 😂 or using mr black and a different brand of vodka. Hey other than being a little misleading great vid!
I mean I didn’t say I reinvented the wheel I just said this was my favorite version of the drink. If I’d made something a lot different from the original it wouldn’t be a White Russian anymore. So glad you liked the video but really failing to see how it’s mislead anyone 😂
@@TheEducatedBarfly whatever floats your boat buddy I was just commenting my personal opinion. This is what comment sections are for (btw I’ve seen few really interesting takes on White Russians hence my assumption that you were going to spice it up somehow some way to make it “your favorite”. Lol)
How much heavy cream should the 1 oz. Irish Cream & 1 oz. Creme de Coco be added to as stipulated in the "Quick Note" to kick up the cream used in the cocktail?
Thanks in advance.
Michael Geoghegan it’s really to taste, I do about a half ounce each if I’m using a small squeeze bottle.
Makes comment about political climate so he won't change the name...."First thing we're gonna do is take our Mr. Black"
Ive done it with half and half and milk and evaporated milk and light cream. Didn’t like it, the only version Ive liked was when I used actual liquid whipped cream or rather the heavy cream you whip to make whipped cream. That is so sweet and creamy it helps with the awful mix that is coffee and vodka.
Will now have to make one and, a new way to make a Brandy Alexander! Thanks!
heloo sir can i use club soda if vodka is not availble in my area
it would change it. a non alcoholic version of a white russian would just be coffee and cream. but try it the way we made it and see. You can try with the club soda, but the combination of club soda and coffee, not sure what kind of mouthfeel that would result in.
Would frothing milk with a steamer and using the foam of the milk be a nice/alternative effect? Or do you think that would ruin the drink by having a warm component and a cold?
hmmm that sounds interesting! Try it! zI don't think it would ruin it at all!
@@TheEducatedBarfly ooo okay great, Thank you!
I tried it!! It was delicious!! The added shaved chocolate really made it 👌🏻
I've always wondered this - Why stir in a separate glass for some drinks with ice and strain, and then some drinks you can just build over ice and stir? What's the reason for this?
it's really preference. When I'm working in a busy bar I tend to make stirred rocks drinks in their glass because I can. Some people think that preparing a drink in a mixing glass and straining over ice is better presentation. In some cases it's functional and in others it's preference.
@@TheEducatedBarfly Good to know! I work in a busy bar as well, and I always stir in a mixing glass and strain over ice, however no one orders at the bar, I get dockets sent to me. So presentation wise, no ones really watching aside from the customers walking to their seats. I might mix it up more when busy to save some more time!
So, wha tis the vodka for other than to up the octane? the coffee liquer is already 70-80 proof isn't it? Alternatively, you could use coffee or espresso and vodka or any kind of liquer for that matter with some Readiwhip. Next why not show us how to make Kahlua? There are so many different recipies it is bewildering. I have a couple that I like, but there are likely hundreds of them.
Leando, since Kahlua seems quite a bit sweeter than Mr. Black, would a barspoon of simple be out of bounds?
Not at all you could do as much as a quarter ounce
I rewatched this because I keep having problems with the cream splitting 😞
Is it so important that the vodka is organic? 😂😜
Seriously though, I love this drink and this take on it. The first cocktail I learned how to make..
MrSelfDistrucht it isn’t for me but for some people maybe, it worked for Tito when he said Tito’s was gluten free...for me it’s a marketing thing trying to tap into the “healthy booze” market to distinguish itself from other vodkas. That being said it is great quality Vodka. And thanks for the compliment!
The Educated Barfly it absolutely is marketing, and it's genius... I mean, we have gluten free milk now, it's great...
I'll check out this vodka, I love trying new brands of spirits.
Looks amazing! Am in LA as well. Where did you fine Mr. Black? Have been hunting for it based on your recommendation. Thanks for the videos. Truly enjoy them.
Barkeeper near downtown definitely carries it.
Prairie Vodka is made in Minnesota, friend. Not Wisconsin.
I haven’t had mr black yet, but I heard it’s no too sweet. I almost think a variation with some good rum instead of vodka and play with the parts; maybe equal or lean a little towards the mr b or the rum to taste.
It isn’t sweet, you could always add a quarter ounce simple syrup to sweeten a little
the dude abides
Wow super nice this is what i likeb
If your cream is ICE COLD it will whip up super fast.
Cheers :-)
2:16 - *James Bond has left the chat*
its awesome
Lol, I think of my very first legal drink!
Hmmm different than the bar i work at makes. Kalua, vodka, and half and half, we stir ours....
Mine is a deconstructed version and I elevated the ingredients a touch
Ahh makes seance. Thankyou for reply.
Political correctness in cocktails? I'm gonna need another one!
El duderino, if you're not into the whole brevity thing. I seriously hope you never met someone who actually thought Lebowski created the caucassian. Maybe he gets credit for the variant with powdered creamer.
I've met all types of people...
Leandro I'm a big fan of ur channel. How did u make the heavy whipping cream?
That is definitely a White Russian!
Yo if that whipping cream wasn’t pre shaken that’s crazy as fuck
Whipped cream on demand. Put heavy cream in a squeeze bottle along with a Hawthorne coil and shake it.
You need a longer stirring spoon dawg
I make my white Russians with 2 oz of whiskey 2oz coffee liquor 3oz cream liquor and 3 or 4oz of milk or heavy cream
This is sort of like an alcoholic Starbucks cold foam cold brew! Or looks like one at least
오 꿀팁
My fave is Black Russians. Yum
Drop the vodka for some gold rum. You’re welcome.
That's just like, um, your opinion.....man 🙄😂
Skipped to the end: terrible... looks like off-brand Pepsi some hobo jizzed on lol
This is my favorite cocktail when made with amaretto.
Or you can double cream/less ice and let it bleed
W.O.W.
Looks like an irish coffee
Cool video/recipe. Very informative and entertaining.
BUT wouldn’t your first few sips be straight up unsweetened whipped cream? That doesn’t sound too enjoyable to me. First thing id do Is mix it up.
Again, great video, look forward to others
Robert Alessi um.. mix it, no but seriously there’s two ways to enjoyably drink this. See everyone wants to have a straw but cocktails served in short glasses aren’t meant to have a straw. If you sipped this Cocktail from the rim of the glass you’ll actually drink the cocktail through the cream, because the cocktail is denser than the light and fluffy cream you’ll get it all at once, and it’s wonderfully enjoyable. Secondly you can always mix it together. If you want to sweeten the cocktail add .25 or .5 ounces of simple syrup to it and if you want to sweeten the cream add .5 ounces creme de cacao and .5 ounces Carolans Irish cream and it’ll be delectable!
The Educated Barfly It’s the same way an Irish Coffee is meant to be enjoyed. If made properly you drink straight through the cream, all parts of the drink combining as you sip it
@@ccubed7861 The cream is also done this way so it's the customer's discretion to mix the cream in or not. People can and will get pissed if you mix it in already for them. In general just don't mix it in to be safe (Usually the people who order this drink really love it already so it is generally "safer" to not mix it in). Note that this is all for those tips :D and a good customer experience.
I cant figure out why no one has commented that mr black!=kahluah and they are not interchangeable. This is not a white russian.
Cold brew: Mix your grounds with water in a mason jar.
shake.
toss in fridge 24hrs.
filter.
done.
Never shake...dilute the grounds softly in water and the rest of your steps are good.
"Given the political climate I don't think it's a good idea." No idea what you mean. Weird, even for LA.
coen brothers*
What political climate?