The Martini, the Bloody Mary, the Cosmopolitan, the Old Fashioned – what do all of these drinks have in common? While there are countless mixed drinks out there in the present day, history’s best cocktail drinks are the ones that have stood the test of time.
The Old Fashioned
To start off the list of historical cocktails, let’s look at this classic beauty, which originated around the early 1900s in New York. The mixture of sweetened bourbon and club soda made for an icon of the beginning of the 20th century. This drink could be considered the mother to all other cocktails!
The Singapore Sling
This versatile recipe, born around the 1920s, is still a staple. While the original recipe has been lost to history, the mixture – alcohol, water, and some flavor – has not, and is still popular in the present day.
The Bloody Mary
This was the world’s pick-me-up nearly a hundred years ago. It’s thought to have originated in New York City, and while today’s recipe calls for a long list of ingredients, the original Bloody Mary was much more simple. In the 1930s, the recipe only called for equal parts tomato juice and vodka!
The Daiquiri
In the early 1900s, an American engineer working in Cuba began mixing drinks in his spare time. This classic beauty was born, became an instant hit, and made its way back to the United States around the 30s. It’s safe to say the Daiquiri is here to stay!
The Bellini
This tasty mix of prosecco and peach puree was created around the 1940s in Venice. The creator of the drink was inspired by a painting by Giovanni Bellini, saying the drink’s color was similar to one found in the piece of art, therefore giving the Bellini its name. The drink eventually found its way across the globe, and is still a charming springtime favorite.
The Martini
This mix of dry vermouth and gin defined the middle of the 20th century. While many disagree on the origin story of this cocktail, it is known by all as a staple. The recipe later changed to more commonly including vodka; this sparked the popularity of many vodka-based cocktails.
The Mai Tai
This lovely tropical mix of rum and juices marked the beginning of the world’s passion for fruity mixed drinks. Born in the late 60s, the Mai Tai became a fast favorite among American soldiers in Vietnam. This drink gets its name from a Tahitian word meaning “good”, which is very fitting!
The Harvey Wallbanger
The Harvey Wallbanger was the drink of the 1970s, a time when the alcohol lovers of the United States began to look to other countries for different flavors in their drinks. This cocktail features Galliano, an Italian liquer, which still remains popular today.
The Pina Colada
It wouldn’t be a complete list of historical cocktails without mentioning the Pina Colada! Legend has it that Puerto Rican pirates first created this drink sometime in the 1800s. Reborn around the 1980s, this gem sparked an even bigger growth of the world’s love for cocktails.
The Cosmopolitan
The Cosmopolitan was created around the 1990s, but took off in the 2000s. Its popularity spiked due to its publicity within TV’s Sex and the City. Its origin before its popularity arose is still debated, but it’s likely that the Cosmo got its start in the New England states.
Today…
What are the alcohol lovers of the world requesting today? It seems that new spins on old favorites are popular at the moment! As an example, nearly a century later, the classic Old Fashioned has made a comeback, making its mark as one of the most world famous cocktail drinks. It comes back with a twist, however, occasionally adding fruity flavors. Another new twist on a classic is the Appletini, which mixes the fresh flavor of apple with the dryness of a classic Martini.
Some popular drinks may come and go, but the classics will always be, well, classics. Building on the basics is a way to make sure the cocktails of the past stay fresh, while maintaining a nod to history.