BY PHILLIP MLYNAR

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 piñ​a 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 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.

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.

Read the rest at First We Feast

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