I don’t think it’s as removed from skin color as you think. If someone saw the white kids saying it and didn’t know they grew up in the projects, would they still not care? Conversely, if a bunch of black kids who grew up in an affluent household said it, would people be offended?
More that it’s a shitty comparison since there’s so many other drinks that fit that category. Might as well try to say they’re related because they’re both a liquid.