HIP-HOP INSPIRED COCKTAILS TO BUILD YOUR PRE-THANKSGIVING SWAG

MCs rappers and hip-hop artists have made their mark on the culture on so many different fronts, from fashion to food and even the language, they are shaping a brave new world on urban scenes across the nation. And most tend to have a drink du jour, whether it’s “poppin’ corks,” “sippin on gin and juice” or just plain “blame it on the alcohol” it’s big business for the clubs, the artists and the companies looking to connect with young African American urbanites.
So, every time Luda or Diddy name-drops a product, sales automatically shoot up — so here’s to them. –roz edward





Conjure
As Luda says of his premier cognac,
“We get straight to it. We’re straight no chaser …
I might put a little lime in there but I like mine just on the rocks. You’ve gotta taste the essence of what’s going on.”

 Thug Passion
This drink is one of 2Pac’s favorites, which he references in the song of the same name. But instead of a $350 bottle of Cristal, use any champagne that fits your personal tastes and finances.

2 ounces Hennessy® Cognac
2 ounces Alize® liqueur
2 ounces champagne

Mix all ingredients in shaker with ice and pour into champagne flute.

Babygirl
Both 50 Cent and Busta Rhymes signed on to promote Leyrat premier cognac. But we caution, “Not a lot, baby girl, just a lil bit.”
2 ounces Leyrat cognac
2 ounces Baileys® Irish Cream
2 ounces Kahlua® coffee liqueur
Pour all three ingredients into a cocktail shaker half-filled with cracked ice. Shake well, and strain into a highball glass filled with cracked ice. Top with whipped cream, if you’re into it.
Shake ingredients over ice and serve.

Tap That Ass  
Swizz Beatz debuted on May 5 as the new frontman for Hennessy Black with his live performance in New York of “When I Step Into the Club,” alongside the JabbaWockeez of “America’s Best Dance Crew.”  Here’s one of the label’s hottest new cocktails.

1 ounce Hennessy Black® cognac
1 ounce Alize® Red Passion liqueur
1 ounce Alize® Gold Passion liqueur
1 splash cranberry juice
top with soda water

Fill the hurricane glass with ice. Pour the Hennessy, Red Alize and Yellow Alize. Splash in some cranberry juice and top it off with soda. Add blackberry to garnish.

Ciroc Peach Vodka
The newest entry in hip-hop-influenced libations is Diddy’s CIROC Peach Vodka. The music mogul and branding beast dropped the newest and fourth in CIROC’s line of flavored vodkas on Oct. 21 at Love nightclub in D.C. to celebrate Howard’s homecoming weekend.


The Georgia Dome
2/3 ounce Peach CIROC
1/3 ounce ginger ale
Pour in tall glass and fill  with Mango Fruitista.