Musicology And Mixology Are The Perfect Pairing For Black Music Month — Just Ask These Pros
Allow us to serve you one undeniable truth: There’s a cocktail to suit every tune on your playlist, from syrupy slow jams to high-proof hip-hop. We spoke to some of your favorite music pros to highlight this undeniable correlation, and even tested some go-to music-meets-cocktail combinations you can try at home.
Last updated 16 Jun, 2025
It’s sundown in the Texas Hill Country, about 30 minutes outside of Austin. A Marshall speaker hums with bass as the ice clinks in a shaker. Somewhere between the first sip of my Gold Rush cocktail and the cosmic funk backdrop of Thundercat’s “Them Changes,” something holy happens:
The dense bass line and honey-noted bourbon cocktail capture my introspective mood in a nurturing yet fleeting three minutes and eight seconds.
Ever since I’ve started enjoying whiskey over a decade ago, I’ve appreciated the connection the notes of the brown spirit have with the intricacies of a well-produced record. Both are comprised of meticulous processes leading to incredible results, befitting many palates.
The legacy of music and spirit pairings started long before my Thundercat x Gold Rush experience. For me, there’s an unspoken connection between DJ and bartender, both mood curators that organically shaped the intersections of my own career. As I began expanding my writing niche, this puzzle piecing came naturally: I began to grasp just how complementary music and spirits’ culture are to each other, especially within the Black community.
But don’t just take my word for it. Historically, Black people have jointly used sound and spirits as joint tools of celebration. Whether indulging in boozy (and nonalcoholic) libations at backyard blues sets, speakeasy jazz joints, block parties, HBCU homecomings, or in the comfort of homes, such as yours truly at the outset, these spaces have long been where rhythm and pour meet triumph and joy.
Within these traditions, the camaraderie of community, music, and spirits has evolved. Bespoke beverages are paired with vinyl and streaming at events such as “The Wine Down,” a natural wine-and-country music fueled party hosted by Sauced at their newly opened Nashville home, and the listening session series, A Moment For the Music, at Austin’s DAWA HQ.
There’s also the rise of Black artist-led spirit brands, such as acclaimed rapper 50 Cent’s award-winning Branson Cognac and Grammy Award-winning artist Megan Thee Stallion’s tequila Chicas Divertidas, among many other A-listers.
Also, contributing to this music-meets-spirits legacy are Gen Zers and Millennials’ reclamation of the “slow ritual” of both music listening via vinyl records and mindful drinking (including intentionality on ingredient selection and consumption).
Whether it's the sound of the late Frankie Beverly & Maze on an especially jubilant morning, or a solo, somber, reflective evening beset by Solange’s A Seat at the Table, there’s a special sacredness to purposeful sips and soundtracks. Because in Black culture, the pour and the playlist were never just vibes. They’re the ceremony.
So, how do you curate the perfect pairing? First, listen to a song’s instrumental arrangement and lyrics. If it helps, check out past interviews from the song’s creator to get an idea of what emotion they were trying to convey when they wrote or produced the track. Then, and most importantly, think of how the song impacts you and what ingredients would best punctuate such feelings.
For example, I recently paired iconic singer-songwriter Erykah Badu’s “Cleva” (featuring Roy Ayers) with Good Trouble’s Walk a Mile in My Shoes cocktail. It’s a soul-stirring ritual in self-acceptance. Badu’s stripped-down groove is a love letter to every flaw we’ve learned to embrace, while the rich, spiced bourbon cocktail wraps that truth in warmth and quiet power.
Together, they say: own your softness, honor your strength, and never apologize for the story that made you. Really, the Black woman-owned Good Trouble is a delightful bourbon on its own as a neat pour, too. Like Badu, it sneaks up on you, leaving you transformed in the best way.
Still need some inspiration? Say less. EatOkra enlisted the help of a few of our favorite music artists and pros in honor of Black Music Month to share their favorite music-meets-cocktail combinations below. Let’s listen and pour up!
Cautious Clay
The drink: A Mezcal Negroni with a dash of Prosecco has a refreshing element that reminds me of the warmer months soon to come.
The song: Cautious Clay pairs this sweet-meets-smoky cocktail with his simmering, soul-drizzled single, "Shook." I’m here for it. “Shook” is for those reflective nights when you’re nursing the Mezcal Negroni, replaying texts in your head, and realizing that being shaken isn’t always a bad thing; it just means you felt something.
Mezcal Negroni x “Shook”
· 1 oz. mezcal
· 1 oz. sweet vermouth
· 1 oz. amaro
· Orange peel, for garnish
· Rocks glass, like this beautiful iridescent Estelle Colored Rocks Glass set
Directions:
Fill a mixing glass with ice to chill. Pour the mezcal, sweet vermouth, and amaro over the ice. Stir gently for about 30 seconds until well-chilled. Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with large ice cubes. Express the orange peel over the glass to release its oils and place it in the glass as a garnish.
THEBROSFRESH
The drink: “Our favorite is Ranch Water because of its simplicity, and it’s virtually impossible to mess up. Ranch Water fits our discography because we think the semi-exotic, no-frills simplicity of this cocktail aligns with our personalities. It’s a drink for everybody and a handful all at the same time.”
The song: THEBROSFRESH selected their sultry seducer, “She Wants,” as the ideal complement to Ranch Water — and it checks out. “She Wants” and Ranch Water are the epitome of flirting in fizz form. Ranch Water is tequila's love letter to cowboy cocktails, while “She Wants” reinvents the Southern gentleman for the dance floor. So, this pairing is for hot nights and even hotter vibes, courtesy of tart lime, sweltering bass, and alluring vocals.
Here’s my go-to, native Texan method of creating Ranch Water at home:
Ranch Water x “She Wants”
· 2 oz. tequila reposado
· 1 oz. fresh lime juice
· Top with mineral water
· 1 slice jalapeño (optional)
· lime wedge, for garnish
· Highball glass, like this gorgeous, scalloped and hand-blown Estelle Colored Sunday High Ball
Directions:
Fill a highball glass with ice. Pour in the tequila and lime juice. Top with mineral water and garnish with a lime wedge.
If you are opting for a touch of heat with jalapeño, add the tequila to a mixing glass with the jalapeño slice and muddle to crush the pepper. Then, add the lime juice, ice, and shake to chill. Double strain into a chilled highball glass with fresh ice. Top with mineral water and garnish with a lime wedge.
RM47
“We like our drinks the way we like the music we create: timeless and bold.”
MAAD’s drink: Lately, I’ve been into non-alcoholic Smoky Margaritas. I love a little heat in my drinks, and this one lets me enjoy all the flavor without the buzz.
Raleigh’s drink: My go-to is a Mezcal Paloma with a splash of seltzer. It's refreshing with just the right amount of smokiness.
The song: RM47 allowed me to pick the track to pair with their citrusy libations. So, I opted for their addictive, new drum'n'bass-drizzled tune, "UNDERWATER." MAAD’s vocals float like incense smoke, heavy with heat and vulnerability, while Raleigh’s flawless production chops pull you deeper into a sonic riptide. Just like “UNDERWATER,” RM47’s zesty drink picks are packed with flavorful nuance. Whether you go with a mezcal, tequila, or a spirit-free version of their libations, every sip (and listen) seduces you with each delightful note.
Smoke the Bees Cocktail x "UNDERWATER"
Smoke the Bees recipe and nonalcoholic riff courtesy of Siponey
· 1.5 oz. mezcal (for spirit-free version, substitute with a nonalcoholic blue agave spirit)
· Fresh blackberries
· Fresh raspberries
· Highball glass
Directions:
Build in a highball glass. Add mezcal, ice, and top with Siponey Pollinator. Garnish with skewered blackberries and raspberries.
For the NA riff:
Build in a highball glass. Add a nonalcoholic blue agave spirit, ice, and top with Siponey Pollinator. Want an extra bit of yumminess? Try a smoked lava salt honey rim. Before building your drink in the highball glass, pour 1/4 oz. Boogie Down Bronx Honey (or a honey of your choice) on a plate to rim the glass. Then, dip in a smoked lava salt.
Bun B
The drink: Bun B says, "Even with a sugar rim, don’t take a Lemon Drop for something sweet because it still packs a punch, It works in any setting."
The song: Bun B pairs a legendary Lemon Drop Martini with his equally iconic hit, “Get Throwed.” Okay, so this pairing is for when you show up to the party overdressed on purpose, allowing the room to adjust to your presence. Though the Lemon Drop looks like a runway drink, it hits like a heavyweight in the same way “Get Throwed” sounds smooth but moves with underground force. It’s the power of a controlled flex in drink and song — balanced, but unafraid to show out.
Lemon Drop Martini x “Get Throwed”
· 2 oz. Highway Vodka (or vodka of choice)
· 1 oz. fresh lemon juice
· ½ oz. triple sec liqueur
· ½ oz. simple syrup (or more to taste)
· Sugar for rimming the glass (optional)
· Lemon twist for garnish (optional)
· Martini glass, like Giselle Collection’s exquisite, handmade in Spain, Clear Iridescent Beaded Martini Glass
Directions:
Prepare the martini glass (optional sugar rim) by dampening the rim of the glass with a lemon wedge before dipping it in a shallow dish of sugar to coat. Next, fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka, fresh lemon juice, triple sec, and simple syrup to the shaker. Shake vigorously for about 15-30 seconds (until the outside of the shaker is frosty). Strain into the prepared martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist (optional).
Kiya Lacey
The drink: Kiya says, "The Mamacita" mocktail (mango fresca with sugarcane) on the Coffee Was Black menu at Grant Park Market in Atlanta is literally my vibe! CWB is a Caribbean coffee and tea pop-up in Atlanta designed by Malcolm Voltaire. CWB has already done partnerships with Oatly, Minor Figures, and Live Nation! I'm excited to see how it grows within the community, and truly thankful that I could be highlighted on the menu.
The song: Kiya says, “It's named after one of my music releases (“Mamacita”) and uses my main ingredient, mango, with a nod to my brand FRUTA MAMI.”
If you can’t make it to Atlanta to try this dreamy drink in person, give my easy riff a try:
Mango Lime Spritz (Zero-Proof) x "Mamacita"
· ½ oz. ripe mango (fresh or thawed)
· ¾ oz. fresh lime juice
· ¾ oz. cane sugar simple syrup (1:1 water and cane sugar, adjust to taste)
· 2-3 oz. sparkling water
· Crushed ice
Directions:
Blend or muddle the mango until smooth. If blending, add the lime juice and simple syrup directly. Strain (optional for a smoother texture) or leave pulpy. Pour over ice in a glass. Top with sparkling water. If you’re feeling festive, garnish with a lime wheel or rim the glass first with a Tajín and salt.
Marcus K. Dowling
"Necessity is the mother of invention."
The drink, the song, and the story: When thinking about some of my favorite wind-down hours after typically spending four nights a week in Music City reporting on country music's massive American pop-cultural moment for The Tennessean, I think of the humor of returning from a show late at night, staring into my refrigerator next to my liquor shelf and realizing that I have five times the amount of spirits that I do beverages with which to mix it all.
One recent evening, in particular, followed being honored at Amazon Music and the Academy of Country Music's Charley Pride: Celebration of Inclusion Brunch for my work in successfully addressing numerous historical inequities within the genre.
Absentmindedly hitting play on my telephone, the Country Music Hall of Famer and Grand Ole Opry member's 1969 classic "All I Have to Offer You (Is Me)" played as I stared into my fridge at orange juice and ginger beer. Not only is it the groundbreaking icon's first No. 1 hit, but it's a great sing-along. In the weeks of shared sips at dinner parties and various functions, it's also proven to be a song that, once you introduce someone to it, really does the work of showing that hip culture and progressive-minded unity don't have to feel like too heavy of a lift or too high-minded of a notion for many to wrap their head around.
Just like the beverage I've attached it to in conversation, it's smooth and delightful. Also, with Uncle Nearest involved, there's a two-century-old legacy of Black ingenuity in the liquor industry you're supporting, too.
Dowling provided us with his riff on a classic mule below.
Orange Uncle Nearest Whiskey Mule x "All I Have to Offer You (Is Me)"
· 2 oz. Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Whiskey
· 3 dashes of orange bitters
· ½ oz. orange juice
· Grated orange peel
· Ginger beer, to top
Directions:
Add the first three ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice. Then, give it a hard, short shake to stimulate ingredients. Top with 1-2 ounces of ginger beer to taste. Garnish with grated orange peel. Serve over ice.
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