Anyone who’s watched Netflix’s rendition of the universally beloved “Queer Eye” franchise knows the name Karamo Brown. He is the grounded, calming soul of the Fab Five. As the show’s culture expert, Brown brings earnest compassion to every episode.
A peek into the Houston native’s personal life shows that his good nature goes far beyond the screen. As a volunteer youth counselor for the Los Angeles LGBT Center, an ambassador for both the National Black Justice Coalition and the Centers for Disease Control, founder of an organization dedicated to fighting HIV stigma and providing support to the black LGBT community, and the winner of the 2018 Human Rights Campaign Visibility Award (to name a few), Brown stays busy making the world a better place, all while maintaining his home life as a father of two.
Like regular civilians, he does find time to kick back with a good drink. A gin fan, he recently started a partnership with Hendrick’s. In the spirit of his latest venture, he indulges us in a rapid fire round of VinePair’s Lucky Sevens. In between sips of Martinis, Brown divulges his desert-island drink, and how he plans to go out in style.
1. What’s your desert-island drink?
French 75. Gin, lemon, and Champagne … these are a few of my favorite things!
2. What’s the first drink you bought when you turned 21?
Some kind of cheap beer, I think. Thankfully I’ve upgraded since those days.
3. FMK three cocktails: Negroni, Margarita, Manhattan.
M: Negroni. I would absolutely spend the rest of my life with one. Oh, and I guess you too, Jordan baby!
F: Margarita, because sometimes you need to spice things up.
K: Manhattan. Too dark and boozy for me. I need something light and crisp.
4. You’re on death row. What’s your final drink?
A well-made Martini. Strong, sophisticated, classy. If I’m going, I’m going out in STYLE!
5. You can only drink at one bar for the rest of your life. What is it?
My home bar at our house in L.A. My fiancé and I tricked it out with slick new wood furnishings and my bar cart essentials. There’s no place I’d rather enjoy a cocktail than at home with him!
6. What’s the best and worst bottle on your shelf?
Best: Orbium… It makes the perfect Martini. It’s amazing. Worst: None. I don’t have any bottles I wouldn’t want to drink!
7. What cocktail will you never order again and why?
Red Bull vodka. It’s too basic and questionable for my overall well-being.
