Alcohol has been an integral part of human history, with each civilization crafting its own beer, wine, or liquor. Over time, some drinks remain steadfast, while others fade into the history books. Cocktails seem especially susceptible to disappearing as they tend to reflect the current times and culture. However, this doesn’t mean they aren’t worth drinking. These 15 retro cocktail creations and creations are definitely worth a try. 

1. Grasshopper 

The Grasshopper came to be at a cocktail competition in New York City in 1918. The drink may have come in second place, but it won first place in the hearts of drinkers at the time. This drink gets its name from the bright green color of the drink. The drink was so popular that it inspired the Grasshopper pie, which used similar flavors and had the same bright green color. It is a drink low in alcohol, making it perfect for someone wanting a sweet guilty pleasure without getting drunk. 

• ¾ oz creme de menthe
• ¾ oz white creme de cacao
• ¼ oz heavy cream

Blend the ingredients well by shaking the ingredients in an ice-filled shaker. Strain into a chilled highball, coupe, or martini glass and garnish with a fresh mint sprig. 

2. Tom Collins 

No one is quite sure where or how the Tom Collins came to be. However, it was a popular drink in London bars during the 19th century. One theory is that the original cocktail used Old Tom gin, so people would simply call the drink Tom Collins. The drink gained popularity because it was light and refreshing, like an alcoholic lemonade. And it’s must-try retro cocktail.

• 2 oz London dry gin
• 1 oz lemon juice
• ½ oz simple syrup
• Club soda, to top

Start with a Collins glass filled with ice. Then add the gin, lemon juice, and syrup. Top with club soda and gently stir. Garnish with a lemon wheel and cherry. 

3. Sazerac

The sazerac originated in New Orleans apothecary in the mid-1800s. The rumors say that the original drink was served in an egg cup or coquetier. The drink’s name comes from the French brandy that was the original alcohol ingredient. Over time, it was replaced with American Rye-whiskey. 

• 1 sugar cube 
• 2 oz Sazerac Rye Whiskey
• ¼ oz. Absinthe, or anise liqueur
• 3 dashes of Peychaud’s Bitters

Use a mixing glass to soak the sugar cube with bitters and muddle. Add the whiskey and stir. Rinse a rocks glass with the absinthe and pour in the whiskey. Garnish with a lemon twist to enjoy this retro cocktail. 

4. Brandy Alexander 

The original brandy Alexander was a drink made specifically for a corporate party. Around the turn of the century, trains were the primary mode of transportation. Unfortunately, the coal used to power them created a huge mess. One train company started using anthracite, which was clean burning. The company created the Phoebe Snow campaign to get the word out. The brandy Alexander was the signature drink at the success celebratory party as it mimicked Snow’s white dress. The original drink used gin, but the retro cocktail everyone knows replaces the gin with brandy. 

• 1 ½ oz cognac
• 1 oz dark creme de cacao
• 1 oz cream

Mix and chill the ingredient in an ice-filled shaker. Strain into a coupe glass. Grate some nutmeg across the top of the drink as the garnish. 

5. Sidecar

The sidecar is a drink dating back to WWI when a bartender created the drink after getting inspired by an American army captain who rode a motorcycle with a sidecar. The original formulation was quite complicated and resulted in a sour drink. Over time, the recipe was simplified and sweetened. 

• 2 ounces VSOP Cognac, Armagnac, or good California brandy
• 1 ounce Cointreau
• 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice

Begin making your drink by sugaring the cocktail glass rim. Then shake for at least 10-12 seconds for proper mixing and delusion. Strain the cocktail into a cocktail glass and garnish with an orange or lemon twist. For the best-tasting drink, only use high-quality ingredients and shake for the proper amount of time. 

6. Gimlet 

The gimlet was once the cocktail of choice for British Officers in the 19th century. The name’s origin is debated. This retro cocktail could be named after the tool used for drilling small holes. Others claim that the name came from Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Gimlette, a surgeon in the British Royal Navy. It was thought he would add citrus juice to gin to curtail scurvy among the sailors. While you probably don’t have to worry about scurvy these days, the drink is still a delicious option for happy hour. 

• 2 ½ oz gin
• ½ oz lime juice, freshly squeezed
• ½ oz simple syrup

Totally chill the drink by shaking all of the ingredients in an ice-filled shaker. Strain the gimlet into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wheel. 

7. Pimm’s Cup 

In the mid-1800s, people drank alcoholic drinks as health aids. The Pimm’s Cup originally had the name “house cup” and offered digestive aid qualities. Over time, the name became Pimm’s cup, named after the owner of the London oyster bar where the drink originated. Today, this retro cocktail is the official drink of several summer events in the UK. 

• 2 oz Pimm’s No. 1
• ½ oz lemon juice
• Ginger ale, to top

Add ice to a highball glass and pour in the Pimm’s and lemon juice. Stir to combine. Add the ginger ale to fill the remaining space in the glass. Create a fruit cup effect by garnishing with a slice of cucumber, mint sprig, strawberry, lemon wheel, and orange wheel.  

8. Dark and Stormy 

The dark and stormy is a combination of ginger beer and Black Seal Rum. Legend has it that this retro cocktail is over 100 years old. The Gosling rum family first combined the two ingredients sometime after WWI. It became the unofficial drink of Bermuda. The sailors would compare the drink’s murky look to that of a storm cloud. Bermuda happens to be the leader in shipwrecks for as far back as anyone can remember. 

• 2 ounces Gosling’s Black Seal rum
• 4-5 ounces of ginger beer
• Lime

This simple retro cocktail is fast and easy to make. Add ice to a highball glass and pour the rum and ginger beer. Stir and garnish with a lime. 

9. Paloma 

The origin of the Paloma isn’t clear, only that it originates from Mexico. Unfortunately, while it is incredibly popular in its home country, it never achieved the same level of success in the United States. It has always played second fiddle to the margarita. This retro cocktail is light, refreshing, and perfect for sipping on a hot summer day. 

• 2 oz tequila
• ½ oz lime juice, freshly squeezed
• Grapefruit soda, chilled, to top

Enjoy this refreshing drink on a hot summer day by salting the rim of a highball glass. Then add the tequila, lime juice, and ice. Top with the soda and give it a gentle stir. Garnish with a lime wheel. 

10. Bee’s Knees

During the Prohibition Era in the United States, there was a slang term, “the bee’s knees,” that meant “the best.” So, this retro cocktail was, essentially, the best cocktail. During this time, alcohol was illegal, so those imbibing would drink something called bathtub gin. Without regulation, this DIY alcohol could be incredibly strong and harsh in flavor. This cocktail addresses that by masking the gin with lemon and honey, making it more palatable. 

• 2 oz gin
• ¾ oz lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• ½ oz honey syrup

Grab a shaker with ice and add the ingredients. Shake well until cold and string into a chilled cocktail glass. Add a lemon twist garnish and enjoy your much safer modern version of this vintage cocktail. 

11. Amaretto Sour 

The Amaretto sour is a retro cocktail that originated in the 70s. It was basically a marketing ploy by an amaretto importer to encourage people to drink cocktails with Amaretto, increasing its demand. Bars and restaurants picked up on it because the drink was simple to make, with the Amaretto being the main flavor ingredient. 

• 1 ½ ounces Amaretto liqueur
• 1 ounce simple syrup
• ¾ ounce fresh lemon juice
• 1 orange slice
• 1 maraschino cherry

Use an empty shaker to mix the ingredients together. Then add ice and shake to chill the drink. Then strain the cocktail into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Add the orange slice and cherry as a garnish. 

12. Rusty Nail 

There was a time when every bar menu included a rusty nail. These days, it isn’t a drink that people often order. The name of the drink’s origin isn’t clear. It could be inspired by the liquid’s golden hues. Or it could be that a rusty nail was used to stir the drink. Whatever the reason, the drink is simple to make and satisfying. 

• 1 ½ oz scotch
• ¾ oz Drambuie

Stir the two ingredients in an ice-filled mixing glass and then strain into a rocks glass. Add one extra large ice cube, and you are done. 

13. Gin Fizz

The gin fizz isn’t just a retro cocktail; it is one of the oldest on this list. The fizz first made an appearance in the 1800s. It caught on because the taste was light and refreshing. The egg white gives the drink a creamy texture that feels nice on the tongue. While the gin’s clean flavor profile doesn’t compete with the lemon’s strong flavors. 

• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz lemon juice
• ¾ oz simple syrup
• 1 egg white
• Club soda, to top

Add the lemon juice, simple syrup, gin, and egg white to an empty shaker and shake hard until the egg white gets frothy. Then add a few ice cubes and shake again until the drink is cold. Strain into a highball glass. Top with the club soda so that the glass is full.

14. French 75

The French military used a 75 millimeter field gun during WWI, which inspired this vintage cocktail. It became so popular that it even made appearances in Hollywood movies from the time. This light yet boozy cocktail is a perfect refreshment compliment for brunch. 

• 1 oz gin
• 1/2 oz lemon juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 3 oz Champagne (or other sparkling wine)

Combine the gin, simple syrup, and lemon juice in an ice-filled shaker. Strain the cocktail into a chilled Champagne flute and top with Champagne. Garnish with a lemon twist. 

15. Corpse Reviver 

It isn’t just drinkers of modern times who struggle with hangovers. During the Prohibition Era, people turned to a family of vintage cocktails called the corpse reviver. While there are several variations, the original was a mix of potent alcohols. The drinks got their name for being so strong they could wake the dead. Books from the time direct that you should consume the corpse reviver before 11 AM or whenever you need a boost of energy. 

• 2 parts cognac
• 1 part apple brandy or Calvados
• 1 part sweet vermouth

Add the ingredients to an ice-filled shaker and get them nice and cold. Use a lemon twist to garnish the drink in a coupe glass. 

Enjoy some of these iconic retro cocktail creations. They were legendary then and continue to be popular still today!