Watermelon juice from an Indian store, Smoke Lab vodka, lime juice, and a splash of simple syrup.

I was researching cocktails made with sugarcane juice when I came across something called the “Yo Yo Honey Singh Cocktail.” I vaguely knew Honey Singh as an Indian rapper, but had absolutely no idea what he had to do with a drink.

A little more research revealed that this was apparently a favorite of the rapper himself, and one he has often recommended publicly.

The recipe is simple: sugarcane juice, or “ganne ka juice” as it is called in India, with vodka. A squeeze of lime or a pinch of salt helps cut through the sweetness. I went with Himalayan pink salt, which also helped tone down the acidity.

I further learned that Honey Singh’s vodka of choice for this drink is Skyy. But to keep things authentically Indian, I used Smoke Labs vodka. The irony is that it is made in the very state Honey Singh originally hails from!

The drink is wonderfully smooth, thanks to the sugarcane juice’s sweetness. Perfect for a hot summer afternoon like today.