70s Retro Drinks

Mixed drinks from the 1970s exude a unique and enduring awesomeness that has stood the test of time. This era was a golden age of cocktails, characterized by creativity and innovation in mixology. Iconic concoctions like the Tequila Sunrise, Piña Colada, and the Harvey Wallbanger were born in the '70s, each sporting vibrant colors and tantalizing flavors that continue to tantalize taste buds today. These drinks embodied the carefree spirit of the disco era, bringing a sense of fun and indulgence to social gatherings. 

The '70s cocktail scene celebrated the fusion of various ingredients and spirits, creating a harmonious symphony of flavors that captured the essence of the times. Whether sipping a classic Moscow Mule or a funky Blue Lagoon, mixed drinks from the 1970s evoke nostalgia and a sense of timeless coolness, making them a beloved part of cocktail culture.


Here are ten favorites...

Brandy Alexander

1 - Brandy Alexander
A Brandy Alexander is a brandy-based cocktail consisting of cognac, crème de cacao, and cream that became popular during the early 20th century. It is a variation of an earlier, gin-based cocktail called simply an Alexander. The cocktail known as Alexander today may contain gin or brandy.

Cuba Libre

2 - Cuba Libre
Rum and Coke, or the Cuba Libre, is a highball cocktail consisting of cola, rum, and in many recipes lime juice on ice. Traditionally, the cola ingredient is Coca-Cola, and the alcohol is a Cuban light rum such as Bacardi.

Grasshopper

3 - Grasshopper
A Grasshopper is a sweet, mint-flavored, after-dinner drink. The name of the drink derives from its green color, which comes from crème de menthe. The drink reputedly originated at Tujague's, a bar in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana in 1918, and was invented by its owner, Philip Guichet.

Harvey Wallbanger

4 - Harvey Wallbanger
The Harvey Wallbanger is a mixed drink made with vodka, Galliano, and orange juice.

Manhattan

5 - Manhattan
A Manhattan is a cocktail made with whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters. While rye is the traditional whiskey of choice, other commonly used whiskeys include Canadian whisky, bourbon, blended whiskey and Tennessee whiskey.

Old Fashioned

6 - Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned is a cocktail made by muddling sugar with bitters, then adding alcohol, originally whiskey but now sometimes brandy and finally a twist of citrus rind. It is traditionally served in a short, round, tumbler-like glass, which is called an Old Fashioned glass, after the drink.

Pink Lady

7 - Pink Lady
The Pink Lady is a classic gin-based cocktail with a long history. Its pink color is due to adding grenadine. Wikipedia

Rob Roy

8 - Rob Roy
The Rob Roy is a cocktail consisting primarily of whisky and vermouth, created in 1894 by a bartender at the Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan, New York City.

Singapore Sling

9 - Singapore Sling
The Singapore Sling is a gin-based cocktail from Singapore. This long drink was developed sometime before 1915 by Ngiam Tong Boon, a Hainanese bartender working at the Long Bar in Raffles Hotel, Singapore.

Tequila Sunrise

10 - Tequila Sunrise
The Tequila Sunrise is a cocktail made of tequila, orange juice, and grenadine syrup and served unmixed in a tall glass. The modern drink originates from Sausalito in the early 1970s, after an earlier one created in the 1930s in Phoenix, near Scottsdale.