REVIEW
The scoop on the latest products and best places
READ
The latest trends, tips and news reported
CHICKCHAT
Give and get advice from our supportive community
GET STARTED

Login with Facebook
or
 

8 Retro Cocktails + Recipes

Thursday September 15, 2011 by Claire


TIFF's in town, the delightful Jane Lynch is hosting the Emmy Awards this weekend, and somehow all the excitement making us a little nostalgic for old Hollywood.

We're thinking that some classic Bogart & Hepburn movies plus swanky retro cocktails are in order, no?


Mint Julep (since 1800s)

3 oz Bourbon whiskey
4-6 fresh mint leaves
granulated sugar (to taste)

Using a mixing glass, muddle (ie. lightly mash) a small amount of whiskey with sugar and mint leaves (this allows the mint leaves to release their flavour).  Strain into a julep cup or highball glass, fill with ice, and top up with remaining whiskey.  Garnish with mint leaves if desired.






Tom Collins
(a modified Gin Fizz, since 1870s)

2 parts gin
1 part lemon juice, freshly squeezed
drizzle of simple syrup
club soda

Mix gin, lemon juice and simple syrup in a tall glass (or a "Collins glass") with ice, top up with club soda and serve.








Singapore Sling (popular since 1920s)

8 parts gin
4 parts Heering Cherry liqueur (cherry brandy)
1 part Cointreau
1 part DOM Bénédictine
2 parts Grenadine
16 parts pineapple juice
6 parts fresh lemon juice
dash Angostura bitters

Pour all ingredients into an ice-filled shaker and shake well.  Strain into a tall glass and garnish if desired (eg. pineapple wedge, maraschino cherry, etc)



Sidecar (1930s must-try)

8 parts brandy or cognac
2 parts Cointreau
1 part fresh lemon juice

Combine all ingredients in an ice-filled shaker, strain into a sugar-rimmed martini glass and garnish with a strip of lemon peel if desired.








Mary Pickford (named for the 1940s screen siren)

2 oz light rum
2 oz pineapple juice
dash grenadine
dash maraschino cherry juice

Combine all ingredients in an ice-filled shaker, strain and serve.









Hurricane (popular New Orleans-signature cocktail from the 1940s)

2 parts light rum
2 parts dark rum
1 part grenadine (or passion fruit syrup)
1 part fresh lime juice
superfine sugar to taste (optional)

Combine all ingredients in an ice-filled shaker and mix until sugar is dissolved.  Strain into a hurricane glass and garnish if desired (eg. orange wedge, maraschino cherry, etc)





Moscow Mule
(rose to popularity in the 1950s)

2 parts vodka
3 parts ginger beer (can substitute for ginger ale for a milder flavour)
1 part lime juice, freshly squeezed

Combine in an ice-filled shaker, strain into a tall glass and garnish as desired (eg. lime wedge)








Manhattan (classic 1960s tipple)

1 part sweet vermouth
3 parts Rye (or Canadian whiskey)
dash Angostura bitters

Combine all ingredients in a mixing cup and stir.  Strain into a cocktail glass and serve with a twist of orange peel and a maraschino cherry as garnish.








Which retro cocktail is your favourite?  Please share your picks and recipes in the comments!

*ChickAdvisor encourages you to please serve and enjoy alcoholic beverages responsibly.
*recipes adapted from IBA (International Bartender Association) and common ingredient combinations found everywhere

More by Claire
More on Recipes, Entertaining


Facebook Comments


3 Comments

on Sep 20, 2011  mamaluv said:

@Steffikah - Adding lime to almost any drink makes it that much more fabulous! I love it most in Coke, cranberry juice, and sparkling water. I'm sure ginger beer with lime would be delish too.

on Sep 20, 2011  Steffikah  4,244 said:

I'd drink a virgin Moscow Mule! Seems like an interesting combo. I don't drink alcohol, and since most of these drinks have multiple liqueurs in them if I simply made it without alcohol it might change the flavour drastically. That's the other reason why I picked the Mule.

on Sep 15, 2011  mamaluv said:

I'm going to take one for the team and have a Moscow Mule this weekend. Tough work, but someone's gotta do it :)

What I found interesting while researching for this article is that most cocktails were gin-based until the 1940s or so. It's only then that vodka and rum became more common. I really don't care for gin, but then again - I have yet to try the Tom Collins.

Time for some really integrative "research" methinks.

Add Comment:

Name:
Blog URL:


Join Our Newsletter

Stay in the loop for the latest news, contests, deals and more!


Previous Articles