Photo by Cherry Capri & the Martini Kings / Creative Commons
Cocktails in Song
Songwriters have been name-dropping cocktails in songs since at least the 1930s, using drink references in music the way other lyricists use flowers or moonlight.
Below: songs about cocktails spanning nearly a century, from Cole Porter's champagne-soaked party anthems to modern hip-hop shout-outs to Cosmos and Long Island Iced Teas — including, of course, Margaritaville, the song that turned one drink order into a lifestyle brand.
You can find a lot more cocktails in song on my Facebook Group “Cocktails in Media.” If you’re looking for something specific, then use the group search bar. Cheers!
1938 “You Go to My Head,” written by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie, performed by the Larry Clinton Orchestra
“Like the bubbles in a glass of champagne you go to my head, like a sip of sparkling burgundy brew I find the very mention of you, like the kicker in a julep or two.”
1939 “Well, Did Ya Evah?,” written by Cole Porter for the musical Du Barry Was a Lady
“What a swell party this is! What daiquiris! What sherry, please! What burgundy! What pommery!..What brandy, wow! What whiskey, here's how! What gin and what beer, will you sober up, dear?”
1945 “Rum and Coca-Cola,” written by Jeri Sullivan, Paul Baron, and Morey Amsterdam, performed by the Andrews Sisters
“Drinkin’ rum and Coca-Cola, Go down Point Koomahnah, both mother and daughter, workin' for the Yankee dollar.”
1958 “Scotch & Soda,” songwriter unknown, performed by the Kingston Trio
“Scotch and Soda, mud in your eye, baby do I feel high oh me oh my. Dry Martini, jigger of gin, oh what a spell you’ve got me in.”
1961 “One Mint Julep,” written by Rudy Toombs, performed by Ray Charles
“One early morning, as I was walking I met a woman, we started talking I took her home, to get a few nips, but all I had was a Mint Julep.”
1968 “The Gift,” written by John Davies Cale, Lou A. Reed, Maureen Tucker, Sterling Morrison, performed by The Velvet Underground
“I don't think I'll ever touch a daiquiri again.”
1970 “Bloody Mary Morning,” written and performed by Willie Nelson
“Well, it’s a bloody Mary morning, baby left me without warning, sometime in the night.”
1970 “The Ladies Who Lunch,” written by Stephen Sondheim, performed by Elaine Stritch
“Another chance to disapprove, another brilliant zinger. Another reason not to move, another vodka Stinger!”
1973 “Piano Man,” written and performed by Billy Joel
“Making love to his tonic and gin.”
1973 “Tequila Sunrise,” written by Glenn Frey and Don Henley, performed by the Eagles
“Take another shot of courage, wonder why the right words never come, you just get numb, It’s another Tequila Sunrise.”
1973 “Wovoka,” written by Pat Vasquez, performed by Redbone
“Gin, Ricky, ginny ricky, gin, gin, gin.”
1975 “Bad Sneakers,” written by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, performed by Steely Dan
“Bad sneakers and a Piña Colada, my friend.”
1975 “Emma-Jean,” written by Russell Smith, performed by the Amazing Rhythm Aces
“Won’t you unlock the back door screen and invite me in for some gin and lemonade?”
1975 “Nice Boy Like Me,” written and performed by Barry Manilow
“Dozin’ over rolls of Whiskey Sours.”
1975 “Savannah Woman,” written and performed by Tommy Bolin
“She stands out of tropical rains, she pulls her gin and tonics tight.”
1975 “Sour Whiskey,” written and performed by Dan Hill
“Hand me down another whiskey sour”
1977 “Love You Like a Brother,” written and performed by Daryl Hall and John Oates
“It was always you and me and him, a Whiskey Sour, beer and gin.”
1977 “Margaritaville,” written and performed by Jimmy Buffett
“Wastin’ away again in Margaritaville, searching for my lost shaker of salt.”
1977 “That Magic Touch,” written by Frank DiMino, performed by Angel
“Waiting by the moon, sipping Whiskey Sours.”
1978 “Cheeseburgers in Paradise,” written and performed by Jimmy Buffet
“Not just Havanas or bananas or Daiquiris.”
1978 “Werewolves of London,” written by LeRoy Marinell, Waddy Wachtel, and Warren Zevon, performed by Warren Zevon
“I saw a werewolf drinking a Piña Colada at Trader Vic’s.”
1979 “Cocktails for Three,” written and performed by Terry Allen
“Just as I clink, Your daiquiri to mine...Sittin' in these cocktail rooms.”
1979 “Escape,” written and performed by Rupert Holmes
“If you like Piña Coladas and getting caught in the rain.”
1979 “Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound,” written and performed by Hank Williams Jr.
The song mentions Piña Colada, Margarita, Manhattan, and Strawberry Daiquiri.
1981 “The Weather Is Here, Wish You Were Beautiful,” written and performed by Jimmy Buffet
“The beer is too cold, the Daiquiri's too fruitful."
1983 “Name Your Poison,” written by Richard Hartly and Richard O’Brien, performed by Richard O’Brien
The cocktails named in this song include Mai Tai, Old-Fashioned, Manhattan, Black Russian, Pink Lady, Singapore Sling, Moscow Mule, Bullshot, Gin & Tonic, Red Eye, Planter’s Punch, Whiskey Sour, Horse’s Neck, and Tequila Sunrise.
1984 “Golden Bodies,” written and performed by Anthony Phillips
“Sitting with my Daiquiri rum beside me.”
1984 “Touch,” written by John Crawford, David Diamond, Terri Nunn, performed by Berlin
“You can buy me a Daiquiri.”
1989 “Put Your Big Toe in the Milk of Human Kindness,” written and performed by Elvis Costello
“He wouldn’t change his Whiskey Sour for any bitter crop.”
1991 “Pass the Bone,” written and performed by GZA
“Took a bar seat, Got a tall glass of Sex on the Beach.”
1992 “Gin & Coconut Water,” written by Rick Carey, performed by Baha Men
“Gin & coconut water, cannot get it in America.”
1992 “Sprung on the Cat,” written by Anthony L. Ray, performed by Sir Mix-A-Lot
“Hit Red Lobster and went straight to the bar, But them drinks ain't cheap out there son, Five dollars for one of them daiquiris.”
1993 “Shorty Gotta Fat Ass,” written by Joseph Anthony Cartagena, Joseph L Kirkland, performed by Fat Joe
“I got me a Sex on the Beach from the bar.”
1994 “Cold Beverage,” written by Garrett Dutton, performed by G. Love & Special Sauce
“Back to the bar, Strawberry Daiquiris and a colada, I need a whole lotta them."
1994 “High Heeled Shoes,” written and performed by The Kingston Trio
“He puts it down beside her daiquiri and walks away to greet another guest."
1995 “We Are the Lonely,” written and performed by John Prine
“The waitress waits with Whiskey Sour at the single mingle happy hour.”
1995 “What's Up Sugar?,” written by Ronald Lawrence, Smead Ghoing Hudman, Barry White, K. Jasper, Toy Jackson, Deric Michael Angelettie, performed by Suga T
“Sex on the beach and gin & juice."
1996 “Cowboys,” written by Wyclef Jean, Lauryn Hill, Pras Michel, John Forté, Dewayne Battle, Rashia Fisher, and Jerome Hinds, performed by Fugees
“Write rhymes for hours, the ghetto missy, drinkin’ Whiskey Sours.”
1996 “Gin and Tonic Sky,” written by Jeff Scott Soto, performed by Mundy
“The moon was a slice of lemon in a Gin and Tonic sky.”
1996 “Giving You More,” written by J. Dibbs, performed by Aaliyah
“Yeah, bartender, can I get a Hennessey on the rocks and a Long Island Iced Tea?”
1996 “It’s Martini Time,” written by Jim Health, performed by the Reverend Horton Heat
“Martini time, vodka ice shaker, Martini time, olive or lime, Martini time, gotta have glasses, make it with a layer of ice this time.
1996 “Searchin',” written and performed by Eminem
“The Bacardi and Hurricane, If Daiquiris are in debate and not your thing.”
1997 “Hard on the Ticker,” written by Tim Wiseman, performed by Tim McGraw
“I gave up pimento cheese, Domino’s delivery, Whiskey Sours.”
1997 “Two Piña Coladas,” written by Shawn Camp, performed by Garth Brooks
“So bring me two Piña Coladas, one for each hand, let’s set sail with Captain Morgan and never leave dry land.”
1998 “Dionne,” written and performed by Prince
“We could have shared a martini, We could have danced 2 Mancini.”
1998 “I Useta Know Her,” written by Jason Lewis, David Marvin Blake, performed by AMG
“Buzzin off the kamikaze that I consumed.”
1999 “Body Bumpin',” written and performed by MyTown
“But there she was at the bar, Drinkin' "Sex on the Beach."
1999 “Mope,” written by Jimmy Pop, performed by Bloodhound Gang
“Hanging out like double Ds sip Long Island Iced Teas.”
2001 “Back Back,” written by Lil’ O, performed by Lil’ O and Big Hawk
“I’m at the bar taking sips of Long Island Iced Tea.”
2001 “Beachball,” written by Peter Buck, Michael Mills, Michael Stipe, performed by R.E.M.
“A tequila tome, ti punch, mojito, sling.”
2002 “Big Mama (Unconditional Love),” written and performed by LL Cool J and Dru Hill
“We sipped daiquiris, but you never told moms, We even shared beers, Big Mama my dear.”
2002 “Rap Name,” written by Obie Trice, performed by Obie Trice and Eminem
“And I Long Island Iced Tea when I roll with Keith, that’s right.”
2002 “Satellite” written and performed by Kay Hanley
"Red cosmos pink, They all toasted you blind, I needed another drink."
2003 “Ignition,” written and performed by R. Kelly
“Sippin’ on Coke and rum, I’m like so what I’m drunk, it’s the freakin’ weekend, baby, I’m about to have me some fun.”
2003 “It’s Five O’clock Somewhere,” written by Jim “Moose” Brown and Don Rollins, performed by Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett
“Pour me somethin’ tall an’ strong, make it a Hurricane before I go insane.”
2003 “Son of Detroit,” written by Ronald Brooks, David Allan Coe, Tom Deluca, Harold E Tipton, performed by Kid Rock
“I like my whiskey straight up, daiquiri's make me ill.”
2003 “The Adventures of Al Boo Boo,” written and performed by Mac Dre
“Bartender give me Stoli with rose’s lime, I don’t want no Ice Tea Island Long.”
2004 “Barfly,” written by John K. Wozniak , performed by Marcy Playground
“Looks like a Tanqueray and Kamikaze night, That's alright.”
2004 “Bastardo,” written and performed by Charlotte Hatherley
“Stayed drinking Mojitos.”
2004 “Bug a Martini,” written and performed by Tori Amos
“Bug a Martini, send me to Moscow.”
2004 “Drinks,” written and performed by Twista
“Sexy like Champagne glass, you what I’m talking about, her skin tone was like a Piña Colada, I saw two Japanese chicks that got bodies, so I ordered them a Mai Tai and hot Saki.”
2004 “Here To Forget,” written by Billy Alcorn, Jeff Smith, Phil Vassar, performed by Phil Vassar
“Joe's drinking Tequila Sunrise, And Kati's safe and Sex on the Beach, Maria loves those Blue Margaritas, She likes 'em garnished with peach, I dig these dirty Martini's
And I like 'em shaken not stirred.”
2004 “Martini Kiss,” written by Buddy Nielsen, performed by Senses Fail
“Martini kisses land on my blistered bloody scarlet lips.”
2004 “Piña Colada in a Pint Jar,” written by Patrick Murphy, performed by Gaelic Storm
“She wants a Piña Colada in a pint glass, she wants to be where the summer won’t stop.”
2004 "The Girl's Gone Wild" written by Bob Dipiero, Rivers Rutherford, performed by Travis Tritt
“Passin around the Cosmo, wearin' out the cell phone.”
2004 “Virgo,” written by Christopher Brian Bridges, Douglas L Davis, Nasir Jones, Salaam Remi, performed by Ludacris
“Bartender put a Cosmo in that girl hand...Just you and me, two glasses, sip on Patron.”
2005 “Be as You Are,” written by Kenny Chesney and Dean Dillon, performed by Kenny Chesney
“Man, I could use a Piña Colada, little bit of sun on my skin.”
2005 “Doreen,” written by Ken Bethea, Murry Hammond, Rhett Miller and Philip Peeples, performed by Turnpike Troubadours
“She was drinking Whiskey Sours in the bar.”
2005 “If I Could Do it Again,” written and performed by Corey Smith
“Sex on the Beach never tasted so good.”
2005 “Martini,” written and performed by Incubus
“Don’t be a fly in my Martini, baby come on down.”
2005 “Red Dress,” written by Graham Walker and performed by Babyface
“Stop for some cocktails, Let's set the mood, Have a Martini Cosmo or two.”
2006 Cherry Capri and the Martini Kings Creamy Cocktails and Other Delights with songs
Singapore King, One Mint Julep, Tie Another Mai Tai On.
2007 “Love Me, Hate The Game,” written and performed by M-flo
“Cosmo cocktails, topless models.”
2008 “But It's Better If You Do,” written by Brendon Urie, Brent Wilson, George Ross, Ryan Ross, Spencer Smith, performed by Brendon Urie
“Smirking between dignified sips of his dignified peach and lime daiquiri.”
2008 “Going Down to Cuba,” written and performed by Jackson Browne
“I'm going to drink the rum mojito.”
2008 “Danny Callahan,” written and performed by Conor Oberst
“Some wander the wilderness, Some drink cosmopolitans.”
2008 “Landy in My Eggnog,” written and performed by Bad Lucc and Soopafly
“I need some Landy in my eggnog.”
2008 “Secrets,” written and performed by Steve Winwood
“You drink Mojitos with the boys.”
2008 “Sour Mash,” written by Mark Hodges, Darrin Lindsay, and Joey Putnam, performed by Hours Eastly
“Drop the bower fast, splice the main brace, Whiskey Sour mash.”
2008 “We Got the Hood on Smash,” written and performed by 50 Cent
“I’m outta sight B, Long Island Iced Tea.”
2008 “Whiskey Sour,” written and performed by Molly Nilsson
“A girl next to me spills out her Whiskey Sour and I pretty sour you made me wait too soon half an hour.”
2009 “Grown Thangs,” written by Kenneth B Edmonds, Luther Vandross, performed by Luther Vandross
“Grab two more Cosmos, we ain't thinkin' about tomorrow.”
2009 “I Hate California,” written by Brett James, Matthew L Shafer, performed by Uncle Kracker
“Drinkin' pink Cosmos at the Sky Bar.”
2009 “Let's Stay Here,” written and performed by Oleta James
“Sipping Mojitos and listening to Miles, playing our favorite games.”
2009 “The Martini,” written by Aaron Dontez Yates, performed by Tech N9ne
“The names have been kept the same to reflect the strange, this is the Martini.”
2010 “After Hours,” written by Dick Valentine, performed by Electric Six
“They’re getting nice on Whiskey Sours.”
2010 “Coastal,” written by Michael Mobley, Wendall Mobley, Neil Thrasher, performed by Kenny Chesney
“Holds up a frozen orange Daiquiri, And laughs, here's to the boys at the factory.”
2010 “Down The Street Below,” written by Neil Hannonand performed by The Divine Comedy
“Knocking back mojitos at the cocktail bar.”
2010 “Five O’Clock Angel,” written and performed by Luke Bryan
“You can have your beer and Whiskey Sour, I don’t need no Happy Hour.”
2010 “Planetarium,” written by Unnsteinn Manuel Stefánsson, performed by Retro Stefson
“Monkey Gland and Moscow Mule, tasty and good for you.”
2010 “Sex on the Beach,” written by Kenneth L. R. Whitehead, performed by Spankers
“I want a cocktail...Caipirinha, Cuba Libre, Long Island, Martini, Champagne, Mojito!
Tequila boom boom! Tequila boom boom!...Caipirosca, Piña Colada, Margarita, Daiquiri, Gin-Tonic, Chupito! ”
2010 “Sex on the Beach,” written by Jamie Foxx, Joseph A. Bereal Jr., Ainsworth James Prasad, Richard Preston Butler Jr., performed by Jamie Foxx
“Somebody pour me a Sex on the Beach, ”
2010 “Taxi Cab,” written and performed by R. Kelly
“We sipped mojitos then she told me all about her dreams.”
2011 “Hell Yeah, I Like Beer,” written and performed by Kevin Fowler
“I bought her a Sex on the Beach.”
2011 “Hotel Nacional,” written by Arbise Gonzalez, Emilio Estefan, Gloria Estefan, Danielle Marie J Schoovaerts, Dirk Jean Pierre Schoufs, Una Margaret M Balfe, Jean Michel Henri Gielen, performed by Gloria Estafan
“One, two, Daiquiris, Dancin' to the Cuban beat.”
2011 “Nonstop Disco Powerpack,” written and performed by Beastie Boys
“I max and relax Champagne Mojito.”
2011 “Piña Colada Girl,” performed by David Hasselhoff
“Piña Colada girl, you make the boys go ahh.”
2011 “St. Croix,” written by Christina Elisabeth Schroeter, James Edward Buckey, Joe Keefe, Sebastian David Keefe, performed by Family of the Year
“Umbrella in his daiquiri, Sipping, listening to Bob Marley.”
2011 “The Trumpeter,” written and performed by Ray Fox
“Ya taste like a mojito.”
2011 “Yes,” written and performed by Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino
“It’s the man of the hour, check the Whiskey Sour.”
2012 “Hours and Whiskey Sours,” written by Thomas Erak, performed by Just Like Vinyl
“Give me up, count the hours and whiskey sours.”
2012 “I Told You So,” written by Nick Noonan, performed by Karmin
“Whiskey Sour lemonade, fence is up my barricade.”
2012 “I’ve Landed,” written by Danny Alexander, performed by Rehab
“I was gonna have a few drinks, maybe stop after fo’ Long Island Iced Teas, take the me outta me.”
2012 “Rusty James,” written by Billie Joe Pritchard Armstrong, performed by Green Day
“This Whiskey Sour, amateur hour, raise your glass and toast your friends.”
2012 “Tipsey Love,” written by Brittany Coney, Nayvadius Wilburn, Bobby Wilson, Denisia Andrews, performed by Bobby V
“Imma get whatever you drink, And tell the bartender, Pour you another one.. vodka, Patron, Sex on the Beach.”
2013 “Going Hamilton,” written and performed by Horst Christian Simco aka Riff Raff
“Long Island Iced Tea filled up with butter rum.”
2013 “Hollywood,” written by Oliver Jao Smith, performed by Maggie Rose
“Cosmos - everybody nurses, They get as trashed as we do.”
2014 “Alcohol Abuse,” written and performed by Marshall Dane
“High Ball, Bloody Mary, Fuzzy Navel, cookin’ sherry, Mudslide, Margarita, Whiskey Sour, straight tequila, Screwdriver, Hurricane, Shirley Temple, down the drain.”
2014 “The Golden Hour,” written and performed by Jonathan Ivo Gilles Vandenbroeck aka Milow
“Now you’re drowning in the Whiskey Sour, always use it in the golden hour.”
2014 “Velvet,” written by Alex Lacasse, Elof Loev, Kellen Pomeranz, performed by Chris Jamison
“Mojito in your hand, close in the sense till the morning light.”
2015 “You Never Know,” written by Troy Barrington Mclean, Kevin Blair, O'neil Edwards, Jerome Jackson, Paul Crossdale, Lowell Dunbar, Steven Marsden, Robbie Shakespeare, performed by Alan Jackson
“Two Daiquiri's later, lord, we're walking hand in hand.”
2015 “Better Call Saul,” written and performed by Adam Dorn aka Mocean Worker
“You drink one, drink two, drink three Long Island Iced Teas but your buddy’s worse off and he throws you his car keys.”
2015 “Christmas Tipsy,” written by Ben Jaffe and Suzanne Santo, performed by HoneyHoney
“Christmas tipsy, have a whiskey, have a holiday, tip ’em back, have a Sazerac, have a candy cane cocktail, it don’t matter ’cause we’ve got our Brandy Alexander, Don’t you ration that Old-Fashioned, we got plenty to pour, you should cash in that Manhattan.”
2015 “Drink On It,” written by Jessi Leigh Alexander, Jon Randall Stewart, Rodney Clawson, performed by Blake Shelton
“And your Cosmo's gettin' low.”
2015 “Lo-Fi,” written and performed by Shannon Saunders
“Whiskey Sour in your breath.”
2015 “Negroni Eyes,” written and performed by Wallace
“Wading through Negroni eyes.”
2015 “Street Dogs for Breakfast,” written by John Bell, John Hermann, Jimmy Herring, Domingo Ortiz, Dave Schools, Todd Nance, and Duane Trucks, performed by Widespread Panic
“Whiskey Sours for lunch.”
2016 “Cheaper To Drink Alone,” written by Brandon Kinney, Jon Lawhon, Chris Robertson, Ben Wells, John Fred Young, performed by Black Stone Cherry
“High heels and high dollar Cosmos.”
2017 “Getaway Car,” written and performed by Taylor Swift
“I knew it from the first Old Fashioned, we were cursed.”
2017 “Girl On The Coast,” written and performed by Jesse James Decker
“And we're sipping our mojitos.”
2017 “Powers That Be,” written and performed by Rick Ross
“Tell the waiter bring over that Moscow Mule.”
2018 “Paradise,” written by Benjamin Ingrosso, performed by Ofenbach
“We're sipping Moscow Mule.”
2018 “Sun Kiss You,” written by Jon Mark Nite, Mike Busbee, and Ryan James Hurd, performed by Chris Lane
“Lean in and taste the salt from your lips, From the last round margarita sip.”
Looking for more cocktails mentioned in songs?
Try the search bar on my Cocktails in Media Facebook group.
Between the two, you should find it.