Drink classic cocktails for the final season of Mad Men

It’s the end of an era. After the final half of the last season of Mad Men, we’ll have to say goodbye to torrid office affairs, lush apartments (complete with sunken living rooms), and Jon Hamm at his dead sexist. One thing you won’t have to bid farewell, however, is a classic cocktail. Don Draper is known as the Old Fashioned King, but if bourbon isn’t your thing, there are plenty of retro cocktails that might suit you. Here are five choices and instructions on how to make them.

The Old Fashioned

Have an Old Fashioned in honor of the final season of Mad Men

Okay, so it wouldn’t be right to not include this surprisingly sweet drink. Even if you’re not a huge whiskey fan, give it a shot.

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Ingredients:

  • ⅕ Oz Bourbon
  • 2 Dashes Angostura bitters (or something similar)
  • 1 Sugar cube

In a lowball, muddle (crush) the sugar cube, add the bitters, and flick in a bit of water. Make sure everything has dissolved before filling the glass with ice and bourbon. Stir a bit, garnish with a maraschino cherry and an orange slice, and enjoy.

The Gimlet

Drink a Gimlet in honor of Mad Men's final season

Betty Draper, anyone?

Ingredients:

  • 2.5 Oz Gin
  • ½ Oz Lime juice
  • ½ Oz Simple syrup

In a shaker filled with ice, add all the ingredients and shake for 15 seconds. Strain into champagne coupe or a martini glass. Simple, delicious, and refreshing.

The Gin & Tonic

Drink a Gin & Tonic for Mad Men's final season

Easy, but hardly basic, you can’t get much more old-man-classy than the G&T. Plus, you can order this at any bar. Even the grimiest. But a looker like you is only seen in the poshest of parlors, am I right?

Ingredients:

  • 5 Oz Tonic Water (there are all sorts of cool ones out there, like Fever Tree)
  • 2 Oz Gin
  • Lime wedges

In a highball filled with ice, pour in the gin and tonic. Stir, and garnish with the lime wedges. Feeling ultra fresh? Add a sprig of mint.

The Americano

Have an Americano cocktail for Mad Men's final season

This cocktail is ravishing in red, like Joan Holloway. And as far as cocktails go, it’s pretty low proof, so enjoy two!

Ingredients:

  • 1 Oz Campari
  • 1 Oz Sweet Vermouth
  • Club soda to top
  • Lemon/orange slice for garnish

In a tall glass filled with ice, pour in the Campari and vermouth and top with club soda. Having a sweet tooth? Replace club soda with Sprite. Garnish with citrus slice.

The Grasshopper

Drink a Grasshopper cocktail for Mad Men's final season

I truly think it doesn’t get much more retro than the Grasshopper, easily the most Sci-Fi looking cocktail on IBA’s (International Bar Association’s) official cocktail list.

Ingredients:

  • 1 Oz Crème de menthe (preferably green)
  • 1 Oz Crème de cacao (preferably white)
  • 1 Oz Heavy cream

In a shaker filled with ice add all ingredients and shake for 15 seconds. Strain into a martini glass. My goodness, you look adorable holding that Grasshopper.

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