Whether it’s rap royalty like Snoop, Biggie, and the Wu-Tang Clan spitting odes to St. Ides malt liquor back in the ‘90s, or Juicy J and K Camp spending last summer imploring “All I need is one more drank, one more drank,” hip-hop artists have never been shy about bigging up their drinking habits in rhyme.
Over the years, classic hip-hop drinks have emerged from those looking to reflect their image in their booze. Snoop kept it smoothed-out in California with his cup of gin and juice, while over in New York City Mobb Deep were all about embracing the grimy side by supping bottles of “dainy” (the group’s slang for St. Ides) in project stairwells—although Prodigy would later cop to blending his malt liquor with piña coladas. Playing up to his wild, loose-cannon image, 2Pac endorsed the Thug Passion, an effervescent mix of Alize and Cristal that’s still a hit in rap clubs today.
So now that BBQ season is in full effect, it’s time for the hip-hop-minded grill masters and pool-party people to crack open the bottles and begin mixing up these 12 rapper-approved alcoholic brews. Cheers to all you hip-hop drunkies out there.
A Hip-Hop Head's Guide to Drinking
Dirty Amber
Most associated with: 2 Chainz
What it is: Putting a powerhouse twist on the classic hip-hop blend of gin and juice, 2 Chainz’s signature drink adds a hearty shot of Jägermeister to the mix. Inspired after taking a personal tour of the Jägermeister factory in Germany, Chainz also spruces up the brew by incorporating freshly squeezed lime juice instead of OJ from a carton.
Incredible Hulk
Most associated with: Diddy, Master P
What it is: Adding another chapter to hip-hop’s longstanding love of Hennessy, the Incredible Hulk cocktail fuses the cognac with an equal measure of blue-hued Hpnotiq. Allegedly invented at Diddy’s now defunct Justin’s food spot in Manhattan, the drink’s popularity saw it migrating down south, with the No Limit general Master P bragging on “Who Them Boyz” how, “I lean when I walk/ My favorite drink is that Incredible Hulk.”
The Taylor'd
Most associated with: Wiz Khalifa, Chevy Woods, and the Taylor Gang
What is is: Along with being a strip club dining pro, the rapper Chevy Woods also holds down a position as the Taylor Gang’s in-squad chef. Part of this culinary responsibility includes serving up drinks for Wiz’s team. The Taylor’d is based around Chevy’s staple of Bombay Sapphire gin and lemonade, and involves the use of multiple cups. First, place up to five cubes of ice in a red cup, then add two shots of Bombay. Mix in lemonade “to your liking” while shaking it a little, then pour the mixture back and forth between two red cups exactly three times. “Drink and enjoy,” says Chevy.
Brass Monkey
Most associated with: Beastie Boys
What it is: For years, everyone assumed the Beasties’ “Brass Monkey” was a funky ode to lacing a 40oz bottle of Olde English 800 malt liquor with orange juice. Well, according to a revelation dropped by Mike D two summers ago, during the Licensed To Ill era the trio of rappers were actually getting loose on a pre-mixed canned cocktail of orange juice, vodka, and dark rum.
The Luda
Most associated with: Ludacris
What it is: When it comes to his namesake drink, Atlanta’s punchline king is all about keeping things tropical and fruity. You’ll want to start with two ounces of Conjure Cognac—aged for 50-years in Limousin oak barrels, no less—and then punch things up with half an ounce of fresh lemon juice and one tablespoon of sugar. Adding some zip to the drink, dunk three pineapple cubes and a few sprigs of thyme into your glass.
Crunk Juice
Most associated with: Lil Jon
What it is: Back during the rowdy heights of the Crunk era, Lil Jon’s East Side Boyz sidekicks Big Sam and Lil Bo used to follow their leader around carrying gasoline cans filled with Crunk Juice. The syrupy sweet concoction breaks down as equal parts Hennessy and Red Bull energy drink. Imbibing it ensures hyper behavior from the windows to the walls.
The Blast
Most associated with: Snoop Dogg
What it is: Back in 2011, Snoop added to his gargantuan list of product endorsements by signing on to promote cans of Blast by malt liquor purveyor Colt 45. The line of fruit-themed malt beverages came in four flavors, including grape and raspberry lemonade, and ruffled the feathers of critics who widely lambasted the brew as being designed to appeal to underage drinkers. Fight the power by creating a DIY Blast from a can of Colt 45 and Welch’s grape soda. Then let this lurid elixir of youth kick in.
KC Tea
Most associated with: Tech N9ne
What it is: Everyone knows the Strange Music head honcho is all about sipping on a Caribou Lou—a drink he’s immortalized in rhyme as a combo of Bacardi 151, Malibu, and pineapple juice; but Tech N9ne also likes to switch it up with a KC Tea when the mood takes him. According to the Kansas City speed spitter, to create the drink you’ll want to combine Hennessy with Sprite and lemon juice. Crucially, you’ll need to stay classy and serve it in a “real big wine glass.” Accept no glassware substitutions.
Funky Cold Medina
Most associated with: Tone Loc
What it is: “Funky Cold Medina” is the L.A.-based rapper Tone Loc’s second biggest hit after “Wild Thing.” The track tells the tale of an alcoholic aphrodisiac that can not only cause ladies to swoon, but will also make your canine start showing an interest in humping your leg. The love potion breaks down as equal parts Absolut vodka, Southern Comfort, and Blue Curacao. To this triple threat of liquors, add a splash of cranberry juice and pour the whole sexy shebang over a glass of ice.
Purple Swag
Most associated with: A$AP Rocky
What it is: A$AP Rocky ruled the summer of 2011 with his woozy “Purple Swag” anthem. According to the Harlem fashion killa, the official way to make the song’s titular drink is to grab a polystyrene cup, fill it with Sprite and Promethazine-codeine, then drop in some Jolly Ranchers. Once the candy’s dissolved, the brew’s next level potent flavor emerges and gently ushers you into a state where “everything is wavy and spacey and psychedelic.”
Slurricane Blue Lagoon
Most associated with: E-40
What is is: 40 Belafonte’s Hurricane is a staple hip-hop cocktail. The original is based around a liquor foundation of Bacardi and Triple Sec, but for a 2016 update on the drink, the Bay Area tycoon suggests mixing up three ounces of vodka and 1⅓ ounces of Blue Curacao, 3⅓ ounces of pineapple juice, with 2/3rds of an ounce of lemon juice. Throw in four teaspoons of sugar, two lime wedges, and some ice, and you’ve got what’s officially known as a Slurricane Blue Lagoon.
Jim Jones' Secret Drink
Most associated with: Jim Jones
What it is: While dropping gems on New Orleans’ late night food scene, Curren$y explained that when Jim Jones hits the city he can be found quaffing down glasses of a curious hybrid of iced tea, rosé wine and champagne. “They sell it by the gallon,” Spitta says of the unnamed concoction, “people love it.”