Vintage Drinks That Need To Make A Comeback... NOW!

If we’re all about ‘80s and ‘90s fetishism these days (acid-wash denim fans, rejoice!), you gotta believe it’s not too long before whoever’s in charge of exploiting cultural nostalgia turns our collective attention to the 1970s. Maybe not the worst idea. Think about it: the ’70s have everything we need right now: showy chest hair to give hipster beard growers new terrain; musicians who generally got by without massive image management or Twitter feuds; and, oh yes, the lily-voiced, strut-worthy confidence of Mr. Barry Gibb. Sure, bring it on. One thing we can’t imagine reviving from the Me Decade: the cocktail culture. And that’s a term we use loosely, especially when you compare the ’70s bar scene to the modern era, with its house-made bitters and speakeasy passwords and $15 craft drinks. Back in the ’70s, drinking was an accompaniment to night life, not the lead act. Which is how you got a drinks culture divided between cheap beer and watered down whiskey on one hand, and hyper-sweet, rich and creamy drinks on the other. (Yes, the latter generally “intended for the ladies.” Ugh.) We’re not necessarily recommending you make all of these. You’ll notice a prevalence of “crème” — and cream — which may make a bunch of these drinks seem like just … too much. Then again, maybe you need a little more ’70s glam in your life. And if you’re not quite ready to wear it, drink it. 14. BRANDY ALEXANDER One of the many “crème” vehicles of the 1970s. And actually just damn delicious. How could it not be? Brandy, crème de cacao, and heavy cream. No idea how people fit into those tight suits. And then went dancing. RECIPE: 1 1/2 oz brandy 1 oz dark creme de cacao 1 oz half-and-half or heavy cream 1/4 tsp grated nutmeg Combine brandy, crème de cacao, and half-and-half or heavy cream in a mixing glass with ice and shake vigorously. 13. HARVEY WALLBANGER You know that funky bottle of yellow stuff sitting almost totally unused on the back bar? That’s Galliano, a sort of vanilla-sweet Italian liqueur. Together with ‘70s favorite vodka and a bunch of OJ, they create the sweet, golden lovechild that is the Harvey Wallbanger. RECIPE: 1 1/2 ounces vodka 4 ounces orange juice 1/2 ounce Galliano 1 orange slice for garnish Fill a highball glass with ice cubes. Mix vodka and orange juice and stir. Float Galliano on top. Garnish with orange slice. 12. TEQUILA SUNRISE Serious ‘70s claim to fame since it was the booze that fueled (at least half) of The Rolling Stones 1972 American Tour, aka “The Cocaine and Tequila Sunrise Tour.” Yet more juice and a flare of color from (sweet, surprise?) grenadine. RECIPE: 2 msr tequila orange juice 2 dashes grenadine syrup Pour tequila into ice-filled highball glass. Top with orange juice and stir. Add grenadine. Let sit at bottom of glass. Do not stir. Garnish with a straw and cherry or orange. (Little umbrella optional.) 11. TOM COLLINS This may seem like a comparatively “clean” cocktail compared with the others — just gin, lemon, simple syrup, and some soda. But in the 1970s the drink was made with a prepackaged mix, chock full-o-sugar. The story behind how it got it's name is fascinating! RECIPE: 1 1/2 cups ice 2 fluid ounces gin 3/4 fluid ounce lemon juice 1/2 fluid ounce simple syrup 1 cup ice 2 fluid ounces club soda 1 lemon wedge Fill a Collins glass with 1 1/2 cups ice, set aside in the freezer. Combine gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add 1 cup ice, cover and shake until chilled. Strain into the chilled Collins glass. Top with club soda and garnish with a lemon wedge. 10. GRASSHOPPER Ah, the cloyingly sweet glory days of crème de menthe. Some recipes are more like melted mint chocolate chip ice cream that’ll also get you buzzed. Ours is a bit more balanced, cool and refreshing, like a shirt unbuttoned to let that chest hair breathe. RECIPE: 3/4 oz green creme de menthe 3/4 oz white creme de cacao 3/4 oz light cream Shake all ingredients with ice, strain into a cocktail glass, and serve. 9. MANHATTAN Also known as the "Drinking Man's Cocktail," the Manhattan has a much-debated history, but everyone agrees the drink was indeed invented in New York City in the second half of the 1800s. Whiskey, sweet vermouth, and maraschino cherries are the unwavering ingredient list. RECIPE: 3/4 oz sweet vermouth 2 1/2 oz bourbon whiskey 1 dash Angostura® bitters Combine whiskey, vermouth, and bitters in an ice filled shaker. Stir well and strain into cocktail glass. Add cherry and orange slice. 8. ROB ROY The Rob Roy is a cocktail created in 1894 by a bartender at the Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan, New York City. The drink was named in honor of the premiere of Rob Roy, an operetta by composer Reginald De Koven and lyricist Harry B. Smith loosely based upon Scottish folk hero Rob Roy MacGregor. A Rob Roy is similar to a Manhattan but is made exclusively with Scotch whiskey, while the Manhattan is traditionally made with rye and today commonly made with bourbon or Canadian whiskey. RECIPE: 2 oz Scotch whiskey .75 oz Sweet vermouth 3 dashes Angostura Bittersgarnis Add ingredients to mixing glass and fill with ice. Stir and strain into rocks glass. Garnish with cherry. 7. GIN RICKEY The gin rickey is the only cocktail mentioned in The Great Gatsby and was reportedly F. Scott Fitzgerald's favorite drink. As simple to prepare as it is delicious, this classic cocktail mixes premium dry gin, fresh lime juice, and bubbly soda water. Another drink of politically charged origins, the Gin Rickey was named for Missouri politician "Colonel Joe" Rickey, who invented this concoction during the hot, muggy summer of 1883 in Washington, DC. RECIPE: 1 shot gin 1/2 shot freshly squeezed lime juice Seltzer water Lime zest Pour the gin and the lime juice into a chilled high ball glass, add plenty of ice, and top off with seltzer water or club soda. Garnish with lime wedge or zest. This recipe should be adjusted to taste. If you like gin, up the ratio. If you’re hoping to disguise the gin on your breath, or if you’re looking for a more refreshing version, just up the seltzer. 6. SIDECAR Like many drinks, the precise origin of the sidecar is lost to history, but this simple yet tasty cognac drink is said to have been invented at the Ritz hotel in Paris after the growing popularity of the motorcycle sidecar. RECIPE 1 1/2 ounce cognac (or any brandy) 3/4 ounce orange liqueur (typically Cointreau or Triple Sec) 3/4 ounce lemon juice (or lime) Sugar (for the rim of the glass) Rim a chilled cocktail glass with sugar. Shake all the ingredients with ice, strain into the glass. The sugar rim is optional. Garnish with a strip of lemon rind. 5. WHITE RUSSIAN The White Russian is the signature drink of "the Dude", the protagonist of the cult classic The Big Lebowski (played by Jeff Bridges). In the movie, the Dude refers to it as a "Caucasian." The cocktail's prominence in the film has been connected to a revival in its popularity. Before the movie, the cocktail was considered passé and likened to an alcoholic milkshake. RECIPE: 2 fluid ounces vodka 1 fluid ounce coffee-flavored liqueur 1 cup ice 1 fluid ounce heavy cream Pour coffee liqueur and vodka into an Old Fashioned glass filled with ice. Float fresh cream on top and stir slowly. Poured over ice 4. WHISKEY SOUR The oldest historical mention of a whiskey sour was published in the Wisconsin newspaper, Waukesha Plain Dealer, in 1870. In 1962, the Universidad del Cuyo published a story, citing the PeruviannewspaperEl Comercio de Iquique, which indicated that Elliott Stubb created the "whiskey sour" in 1872. RECIPE: 1 1⁄2 oz Bourbon 3⁄4 oz Fresh lemon juice 3⁄4 oz Simple syrup (1 part water, 1 part sugar) 1 Cherry Add all the ingredients to a shaker filled with ice and shake. Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a cherry and lemon wedge. 3. GIMLET Around the beginning of the 20th century, rumor has it a naval surgeon recommended sailors drink a concoction of gin and lime juice to ward away scurvy, a vitamin C-deficient ailment. Not a bad way to get your C. RECIPE: 2 ounces gin 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice 3/4 ounce simple syrup Cucumber wheel or lime wedge, for garnish Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and pour in the gin, lime juice, and simple syrup. Stir vigorously with a long cocktail spoon until very cold. Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass, or strain over a rocks glass filled with ice, depending on preference. Garnish with the cucumber wheel and serve immediately. (Recipe courtesy of Geoffrey Zakarian from Food Network) 2. HOT TODDY Bourbon, spiced and sugared, takes center stage in this cold-weather cocktail. Traditionally imbibed for relaxation or to cure a cold, Hot Toddies were reputedly born in Scotland in the early 1700s. (Talk about retro!). This cocktail takes center stage in cold-weather months. 1.35 oz. George Dickel bourbon 1 tsp. fine grain sugar 2 small cloves 1½ oz. boiling water Add George Dickel, fine grain sugar, and cloves in old-fashioned glass or mug.Add 1-2 oz. (or more, if desired) boiling water and stir. 1. WHAT'S MISSING FROM OUR LIST? SHARE YOUR COMMENTS AND RECIPES BELOW! (Sources: Delish, Vine Pair, A Plus and SheKnows) If you LIKE this story, please SHARE this story!

Vintage Drinks That Need To Make A Comeback… NOW!

By K. Gitter
8 years ago

1. WHAT’S MISSING FROM OUR LIST? SHARE YOUR COMMENTS AND RECIPES BELOW!

If you LIKE this story, please SHARE this story!

1. WHAT’S MISSING FROM OUR LIST? SHARE YOUR COMMENTS AND RECIPES BELOW!

If you LIKE this story, please SHARE this story!

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