The Best Cocktails From the 1970s That No One Remembers

If you were born closer to the turn of the century (and beyond), you might not realize just how wild the cocktail world was before the cocktail renaissance of the early aughts. And while the 90s and 80s had some unique drinks and bartending experiences (never forget flair bartending), nothing beats the absolutely wild cocktails of the 1970s.

The 1970s was the decade that brought us ‘Jaws’, ‘Star Wars’, Watergate, the pet rock, shag carpets, and Atari. It also gave the world some of the strangest cocktails ever conceived. Some were created during the decade, and others were rediscovered. The decade was known for its over-the-top garnishes, unique flavors, fruit flavors, and liberal use of cream.

Popular drinks that are still often ordered today include the Pina Colada, White Russian, and Tom Collins. But for every drink that has stood the test of time, there’s a cocktail that’s seemingly lost to time. Sure, you might know some of the names, but chances are you’ve never tried a Harvey Wallbanger, Singapore Sling, or Tequila Sunrise. Well, now is your chance to try these and a handful of other 1970s-era mixed drinks. 

While the history of the Brandy Alexander can be traced back to the early 1900s, made with brandy, crème de cacao, and heavy cream, the Brandy Alexander gained in popularity in the early 1970s. This creamy dessert cocktail is the perfect addition to your fall and winter table.

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce brandy
• 1 ounce dark crème de cacao
• 1 ounce heavy cream

Preparation: In an ice-filled shaker, add brandy, dark creme de cacao, and heavy cream. Shake vigorously to combine and chill. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with grated nutmeg.

This iconic cocktail is believed to have been created by bartender Donato “Duke” Antone in the 1950s but gained in popularity in the 70s thanks to an advertising campaign from Galliano. Made with vodka, orange juice, and Galliano, it was supposedly named for a surfer named Tom Harvey who was known to bang his head against a wall when he lost a competition.

Ingredients:

•  1 ounce premium vodka
• 4 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice
• .5 ounce Galliano L’Autentico liqueur

Preparation: Add ice to a Collins glass. Pour in the vodka and freshly squeezed orange juice. Gently stir to combine and chill. Pour the Galliano over the back of a bar spoon to create a float of the liqueur. Garnish with an orange wheel.

This simple, fruity cocktail was created by bartender Bobby Lozoff at the Trident in Sausalito, California. The drink consisting of tequila, freshly squeezed orange juice and grenadine gained in popularity when the Rolling Stones made it their drink of choice during their 1972 tour.

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces blanco tequila
• 4 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice
• .5 ounce grenadine

Preparation: Add ice to a Collins glass. Pour in the blanco tequila and freshly squeezed orange juice. Gently stir to combine. Slowly pour the grenadine over a bar spoon to make it look like a sunrise. Garnish with an orange slice.

The Rainbow Paradise is a fruity, multi-layered, Tiki-style drink that was created in the 1920s but gained in popularity in the 1970s. Made with grenadine, pineapple juice, Malibu coconut rum, and blue curaçao, it’s as visually stunning to look at as it is delicious to drink.

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce grenadine
• 4 ounces pineapple juice
• 2 ounce Malibu coconut rum
• 1 ounce blue curaçao

Preparation: In a Collins or Hurricane glass, pour in the grenadine. Add crushed ice. In a separate glass, combine the Malibu and pineapple juice. Slowly pour the combination into the Hurricane glass over a bar spoon. Layer blue curaçao on top. Garnish with an orange wheel.

The Singapore Sling was originally created by a bartender named Ngiam Tong Boon at the Raffles Hotel’s Long Bar in Singapore in the early 1900s, but like many vibrant, fruity, layered cocktails, it gained in popularity in the 1970s. This complex drink features gin, Cherry Heering liqueur, Bénédictine, triple sec, bitters, and fresh juices.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 ounces gin
• 4 ounces fresh pineapple juice
• .5 ounces fresh lime juice
• .5 ounces Cherry Heering liqueur
• .25 ounces Bénédictine
• .25 ounces triple sec
• .25 ounces grenadine
• 1-2 dashes Angostura bitters

Preparation:  In an ice-filled cocktail shaker, add gin, fresh pineapple juice, fresh lime juice, Cherry Heering, Bénédictine, triple sec, grenadine, and Angostura bitters. Shake vigorously to combine and chill. Strain into an ice-filled Hurricane glass. Garnish with a slice of pineapple.

Popularized in the 1970s, the Slow Screw is a take on the classic and simple screwdriver. But, instead of using vodka, it’s made with sloe gin (hence the name) and London dry gin. The result is a citrus-driven, fruity drink with a kick of pine and botanicals.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 ounces sloe gin
• 1 ounce London dry gin
• 4 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice

Preparation: Add ice to a Collins glass. Pour in the sloe gin, London dry gin, and orange juice. Gently stir to combine and chill. Garnish with an orange wheel.