If we’re all about ‘80s and ‘90s fetishism these days (acid-wash denim fans, rejoice!), you gotta believe it’s not too long before whoever’s in charge of exploiting cultural nostalgia turns our collective attention to the 1970s.
Maybe not the worst idea. Think about it: the ’70s have everything we need right now: showy chest hair to give hipster beard growers new terrain; musicians who generally got by without massive image management or Twitter feuds; and, oh yes, the lily-voiced, strut-worthy confidence of Mr. Barry Gibb. Sure, bring it on.
One thing we can’t imagine reviving from the Me Decade: the cocktail culture. And that’s a term we use loosely, especially when you compare the ’70s bar scene to the modern era, with its house-made bitters and speakeasy passwords and $15 craft drinks. Back in the ’70s, drinking was an accompaniment to night life, not the lead act. Which is how you got a drinks culture divided between cheap beer and watered down whiskey on one hand, and hyper-sweet, rich and creamy drinks on the other. (Yes, the latter generally “intended for the ladies.” Ugh.)
We’re not necessarily recommending you make all of these. You’ll notice a prevalence of “crème” — and cream — which may make a bunch of these drinks seem like just … too much. Then again, maybe you need a little more ’70s glam in your life. And if you’re not quite ready to wear it, drink it.
Brandy Alexander
One of the many “crème” vehicles of the 1970s. And actually just damn delicious. How could it not be? Brandy, crème de cacao, and heavy cream. No idea how people fit into those tight suits. And then went dancing.
Harvey Wallbanger
You know that funky bottle of yellow stuff sitting almost totally unused on the back bar? That’s Galliano, a sort of vanilla-sweet Italian liqueur. Together with ‘70s favorite vodka and a bunch of OJ, they create the sweet, golden lovechild that is the Harvey Wallbanger.
Piña Colada
Creamy tropical vacation in a glass. Maybe an archetypal ’70s drink, it’s got everything: sweet juice, booze, and something rich and creamy.
The Pink Squirrel
Maybe you’re noticing a pattern here? Another pink drink that’s basically evenly divided between booze, crème de something (noyeaux, or almond), and heavy cream. Don’t worry, you can work it off with the Hustle. (Which is apparently an incredibly complicated dance.)
Grasshopper
Ah, the cloyingly sweet glory days of crème de menthe. Some recipes are more like melted mint chocolate chip ice cream that’ll also get you buzzed. Ours is a bit more balanced, cool and refreshing, like a shirt unbuttoned to let that chest hair breathe.
Tequila Sunrise
Serious ‘70s claim to fame, since it was the booze that fueled (at least half) of The Rolling Stones 1972 American Tour, aka “The Cocaine and Tequila Sunrise Tour.” Yet more juice and a flare of color from (sweet, surprise?) grenadine.
Tom Collins
This may seem like a comparatively “clean” cocktail compared with the others — just gin, lemon, simple syrup, and some soda. But in the 1970s the drink was made with a prepackaged mix, chock full-o-sugar.
The Pink Lady
There was a lot of implicit (and not so implicit) genderizing in 1970s drink culture. The Pink Lady, born in the ‘50s, stuck around to supply women in the ‘70s with a pink, creamy way to get naughty. Yeah. Yuck.
The Golden Cadillac
Another hit for Galliano (remember Mr. Harvey Wallbanger). Add more crème de cacao and heavy cream/coconut milk, and you have a ridiculously rich drink that sort of weakly nods at the idea of getting a buzz.
