Sip, Stream, Repeat: DJ Gonnie Garko Mixes The Perfect Playlist For Smirnoff

Nothing pairs better with sunshine than a chilled cocktail and the perfect playlist—and Smirnoff Canada just delivered both. To celebrate the launch of their nostalgic-but-fresh new ready-to-drink flavours, the brand tapped Toronto-based genre-bending DJ and cultural curator Gonnie Garko to spin a sonic backdrop to match. The result? Shake Up The Classics—a playlist that blends old-school hits with modern flair, made to vibe with Smirnoff’s Raspberry Mule, Cosmo Bellini, and Passion Fruit Martini. We caught up with Gonnie to talk flavour, flow, and the magic of remixing the classics. —Noa Nichol

You curated the “Shake Up The Classics” playlist for Smirnoff’s latest launch—what was your creative vision when blending nostalgic tracks with fresh, modern energy?

I feel my main vision was to blend things in a way that wasn’t too stark or abrasive..I wanted listeners to question when a song was made, blurring the lines between eras. My mind naturally gravitated toward house music, which feels inherently fresh to me—even though its roots go back to ’80s Chicago. There’s something about that sound that still feels futuristic, and it’s evolved in so many exciting ways today. I tried to rack my brain for what recent songs felt reminiscent of the 80’s sound in general, because I think a lot of artists have connected with the sounds of the 80’s in terms of drum patterns, bass and different tones, whereas with the 90’s you see a lot of copy paste and direct sampling. I also wanted to have fun with it so the playlist also includes music I grew up listening to along with songs I dance to in my room when I’m cleaning. Ultimately, I wanted the playlist to feel like a good time.

Nostalgia clearly plays a big role in this project. Why do you think throwback music (and flavours!) feel so especially resonant right now?

I feel that specifically for my generation, we sit in such an interesting timeframe where we know of life before phones, music before algorithms, and the journey from that to now with how overwhelming the current climate can be, there is almost a sacredness to nostalgia. I think honestly there are many explanations, but personally for me I just feel more connected to the past. Everything seemed to have more love in it, while being less geared to perfection.

Were there any specific eras, genres, or artists you kept coming back to while creating the playlist? How did you decide which tracks made the final cut?

Jazz era, Disco era and her aftermath, 90’s party. Janet, Prince & his artists, Rick James & friends – they had a lot going on in the 80’s, really working everyday it seems! Kaytranada and Austin Millz, I knew I had to have some tracks from them on the playlist.I think they are amazing at keeping things fresh but still with a base of heart and soul. I of course had to include Beyonce as well! In the end, personal connection played a big role too—if a track held a strong memory or feeling for me, that definitely influenced its place on the final list.

Sound and flavour are both deeply sensory experiences. How did you approach connecting the vibes of the new Smirnoff cocktails to the music selections?

I see music as colour at times, so I definitely started with that, I also thought of different summer experiences to pull from the lightness of it all. For the Smirnoff Cosmo Bellini flavour for example, I wanted things to feel sweet and sexy, fun, intense and pink.

When you picture the perfect summer moment—Smirnoff cocktail in hand and playlist on—what does that scene look like to you?

I’d say either in my backyard, or a friend’s rooftop, around sunset with a barbecue going. I think that eating and drinking together is very special, and the ability to gather outside with an iconic Smirnoff ready-to-drink cocktail in hand and good tunes playing as the weather gets warmer is really wonderful to me.

Finally, we have to ask: which of the new Smirnoff flavours—Raspberry Mule, Cosmo Bellini, or Passion Fruit Martini—is your personal favourite, and what would be the ultimate song pairing for it?

• Cosmo Bellini – The Glamorous Life by Sheila E.
• Think pink, think red, think purple, & think Sex and the City.