Imbibe & Vibe: Moon Boots

The multidimensional work highlights Dougherty’s signature blend of house music, soul and disco stylings—with a zesty touch of unadulterated joy, which shines through each track. My favorite, “Come Back Around,” featuring indie sensation Cherry Glazerr, has me ready for sunny days ahead with the vibrancy of a syncopated bassline.

Read on to find out more about what Dougherty likes to drink and how he thinks music and cocktails are perfect partners.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I hear you’re a mezcal fan, true?

Yes, it’s true.

Do you have a favorite place to order a Mezcal Negroni?

Fresh Kills Bar in Brooklyn. I like the cocktail’s mixture of bitterness and smokiness. It seems like it would be a lot, but the mezcal, Campari, and vermouth balance each other well.

Last summer, you dropped the singles “Come Back Around” and “Hot Minute.” These tracks are now on your new album, Ride Away. So what do you envision someone drinking while they listen to these songs?

“Hot Minute” is a shot of tequila because the song is like ‘I'll be there in a hot minute.’ So, you don’t have time to hold and nurse a drink. So, take a shot, and let’s go.

What cocktail would you pair with “Come Back Around?”

It’s like hanging out by the pool and having a drink that won’t get you drunk. It’s more like a summertime drink, like an Aperol Spritz.

Is tequila something you typically request on your rider when you tour?

Sometimes, but lately, not as much because I’m a new dad. So, cocktails are more of a special occasion now.

What do you think is the correlation between music and drinks?

They’re in a very symbiotic kind of relationship. I know this because before I could tour as a DJ, I was paying my bills by DJing at bars in Chicago three nights a week. So, I did that for a couple of years before I had enough gigs to be a full-time artist. I also like to think that if I were born in a different time and weren’t a DJ, I would play piano at a saloon or speakeasy—which was sort of like the DJ back then. I think they’ve sometimes brought out the best in each other. So, if you’re in a bar and there’s no music, there’s something wrong.

In our series, Imbibe & Vibe, Flaviar Times columnist Gabrielle Nicole Pharms explores the connections between drinks and music.

*This interview has been edited & condensed