Drake's Signature Sip: The Onda Tequila and Passionfruit Cocktail
When fans and beverage enthusiasts ask, "What is Drake's mixed drink?" the answer points to a vibrant, tequila-based creation made popular through social media mentions. This refreshing concoction is widely referred to as the Onda tequila and passionfruit cocktail, but also goes by the playful nicknames "Ondalini" and "Honda Civic". The drink is a testament to Drake's appreciation for smooth spirits and simple, yet flavorful, pairings.
The key to this mixed drink is its reliance on Onda, a tequila seltzer brand co-founded by actress Shay Mitchell, whose management team, DreamCrew, is also tied to Drake. The use of a pre-mixed tequila seltzer makes the drink incredibly easy to assemble, requiring minimal preparation but still delivering a fresh and lively flavor profile. As Drake himself once advised in a post, the addition of fresh passion fruit and plenty of ice is essential to achieving the perfect balance of flavors. This emphasis on quality ingredients and straightforward assembly aligns with a modern cocktail culture trend that values both flavor and convenience.
Recreating the Ondalini at Home
For those looking to craft Drake's favorite drink, the process is simple and requires only a few key ingredients. Whether you opt for the official Onda seltzer or a similar alternative, the combination of tequila and passionfruit is what truly defines the drink. Here is a guide to making the Ondalini yourself, based on various recipes and descriptions:
Ingredients
- 2 oz Onda Tequila Seltzer (passion fruit or orange flavor recommended) or Blanco Tequila with an orange seltzer
- 1 oz Passionfruit Puree or Juice
- 1/2 oz Simple Syrup (optional, adjust to taste)
- Fresh lime juice (a squeeze)
- Ice
- Garnish: Lime wedge or fresh passion fruit pulp
Instructions
- Fill a highball or rocks glass to the top with ice.
- Add your tequila or Onda seltzer base.
- Pour in the passionfruit puree and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
- If using Blanco tequila and plain seltzer, add simple syrup and stir to combine.
- Gently stir all ingredients with a bar spoon until well-chilled.
- Garnish with a fresh lime wedge or a spoonful of passion fruit pulp.
Drake's Business Venture: Virginia Black Whiskey
While the Ondalini represents Drake's personal mixed drink preference, it's worth noting his other major foray into the spirits world: Virginia Black Whiskey. A collaboration with spirits veteran Brent Hocking, Virginia Black is a distinctive American Bourbon Whiskey that diverges from the light, fruity profile of his tequila cocktail.
Virginia Black is a high-rye blended bourbon, aged for two to four years to achieve its smooth, decadent profile. It is known for its rich flavors of vanilla, caramel, and toffee, with a slightly spicy finish. Unlike the simple Ondalini, Virginia Black is designed for a more sophisticated drinking experience, appealing to both seasoned whiskey drinkers and newcomers. The rapper's involvement brought significant marketing exposure, with the brand known for its stylish black and gold packaging.
A Classic Cocktail with Virginia Black
For those who prefer a whiskey-based cocktail, Virginia Black is an excellent choice for a timeless Old Fashioned. To make one, you'll need:
-
Ingredients
- 2 oz Virginia Black Whiskey
- 1/2 oz simple syrup or a sugar cube
- 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters
- Orange peel for garnish
-
Method
- Place the sugar cube in a rocks glass and saturate it with bitters (or add simple syrup and bitters).
- Muddle gently if using a sugar cube to dissolve it.
- Add a large ice cube or several smaller ones.
- Pour the Virginia Black whiskey over the ice.
- Stir gently until well-chilled.
- Express the oil from an orange peel over the glass and drop it in as a garnish.
This simple preparation allows the whiskey's sweet and smooth character to shine through, offering a direct contrast to the fruity Ondalini.
Comparing Drake's Drink Selections to Other Celebrity Spirits
Drake's beverage choices, from a personal tequila seltzer mix to a proprietary whiskey, illustrate the diverse ways celebrities engage with the spirits industry. Here is a comparison of his choices with other well-known celebrity brands:
| Celebrity | Signature Spirit | Type | Primary Flavor Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drake | Onda Tequila | Tequila Seltzer | Tequila, Passionfruit, Citrus |
| Drake | Virginia Black | American Whiskey | Vanilla, Caramel, Spice |
| Kendall Jenner | 818 Tequila | Tequila | Sweet, Citrus, Smooth |
| Ryan Reynolds | Aviation Gin | Gin | Citrus, Botanical, Smooth |
| George Clooney | Casamigos Tequila | Tequila | Agave, Sweet, Herbal |
This comparison highlights how different celebrities lend their name to a variety of spirits. While Jenner and Clooney focus on premium tequilas, Reynolds has created a renowned gin, and Drake offers both a personal mixed drink and a branded whiskey. This multi-faceted approach allows Drake to cater to different tastes and occasions, from casual drinks to more traditional cocktail sipping.
The Viral Success of the Onda and the Popularity of Celebrity Brands
The reason Drake's mixed drink has garnered so much attention is rooted in the powerful influence of celebrity endorsement and social media virality. When a star like Drake shares their personal preferences, it often inspires fans to emulate their lifestyle. The Ondalini's simple, appealing nature—a fresh, fruity tequila cocktail—makes it highly shareable and easy for anyone to recreate, contributing to its widespread popularity.
Furthermore, Drake's business-savvy nature means he promotes brands he is connected with, such as Virginia Black. His partnerships lend a certain mystique and desirability to the products, turning them into objects of pop culture status. This strategy effectively leverages his fame to build a brand, a tactic echoed by many other celebrity-founded spirits like 818 Tequila and Aviation Gin. The success of both the Ondalini recipe and the Virginia Black brand demonstrates the immense impact that a celebrity's taste can have on consumer trends in the beverage industry.
Conclusion
So, what is Drake's mixed drink? For a simple, vibrant tequila cocktail, it's the Ondalini, a mix of Onda tequila seltzer, passionfruit, and ice. However, his spirit of choice extends to his own brand, Virginia Black Decadent American Whiskey, which offers a rich, smooth, and more classic drinking experience. By promoting both a casual tequila mix and a premium whiskey brand, Drake effectively appeals to a wide range of tastes, solidifying his influence in both music and the spirits market. Whether you're in the mood for a tropical, effervescent refresher or a smooth, decadent bourbon, Drake has a mixed drink for you.
Visit the official Virginia Black Whiskey website for more information on Drake's whiskey brand.