The 70s, a time when avocado green ruled the world, shag carpets were found in every last room in the house, wood paneling was all the rage, and households were moving and groovin' to Barry Manilow and Eddie Money. As for the drinks they had in hand? These cocktails of the 70s are permanently etched in history.
Godfather
Nothing tells people not to ask you about your business like when you have this smokily sweet and nutty cocktail in hand. Released in 1972, few other movies have the quotability of The Godfather. A few sips, and you'll be talking like Brando.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces scotch
- ¼ ounce amaretto liqueur
- Ice
Instructions
- In a mixing glass, add ice, scotch, and amaretto.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
Pink Squirrel
The pink-hued and berry counterpart to the green and mint grasshopper, don't fret if you can't find crème de noyaux. Opt for amaretto liqueur with a splash of grenadine to get that signature color. And yes, this may have burst onto the scene in the 1940s, but there's something about the 70s and that beach music that made it an era for creamy and colorful cocktails.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce white crème de cacao
- 1 ounce crème de noyaux
- 2 ounces heavy cream
- Ice
- Raspberry for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, white crème de cacao, crème de noyaux, and heavy cream.
- Shake to chill.
- Double strain into a chilled glass.
- Garnish with a fresh raspberry.
Sloe Gin Fizz
Although the sloe gin fizz is from across the pond, Americans lapped up this sweet and fizzy cocktail in the 70s. Perhaps it was the easy drinkability or the outrageous color that made it so popular. Or it was just an alternative to the sweet Galliano or orange juice drinks that were all the rage, too.
Tequila Sunrise
Orange juice was the mixer of the 70s. Why? The availability made it easy to add to any cocktail. Orange juice for the kids in the morning and orange juice for the adult cocktails at night. This is perfect for sipping when you listen to The Eagles.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces silver tequila
- 3 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice
- ½ ounce grenadine
- Ice
- Orange wedge and cherry for garnish
Instructions
- In a rocks glass, add ice, orange juice, and tequila.
- Slowly add grenadine, pouring down the inside of the glass.
- Allow it to sink and do not stir.
- Garnish with cherry and orange wedge.
Related: Flash Back With Far-Out Items That Were in Every 70s Home
Harvey Wallbanger
If there was any spirit that could fight for the title of the 1970s favorite, Galliano certainly has quite the case. Earthy vanilla flavors made it easy to work with, not to mention all the coquettish riffs inspired by the Wallbanger.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces vodka
- 4 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice
- ½ ounce Galliano
- Ice
- Cherry and orange slice for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vodka, and orange juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice.
- Top off with Galliano.
- Garnish with a cherry and orange slice.
Grasshopper
Before the world had those green milkshakes from a certain fast-food joint, the world had the grasshopper martini. As sweet and minty as drinks come, this cocktail may have originated in the 1950s, but it really hit its stride in the 70s.
Amaretto Sour
Sweet and cloying was the name of the cocktail game in the 70s. Why? Exotic flavors were a hit, tiki drinks were in demand, and people just couldn't get enough. And the amaretto sour is the perfect tropical, sweet, and sour balance.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces amaretto liqueur
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ ounce simple syrup
- 2-3 dashes aromatic bitters
- 1 egg white
- Ice
- Orange peel and luxardo cherry for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add amaretto liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup, bitters, and egg white.
- Dry shake for approximately 45 seconds to mix ingredients and create a froth.
- Add ice to the shaker.
- Shake to chill.
- Double strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with orange peel and a luxardo cherry.
Golden Cadillac
All the signature notes of the 70s: creamy, Galliano, and a martini; of course, it's also named Cadillac. After all, you could say that it is a gold standard. Not unlike this cocktail.
Ingredients
- 1¼ ounces Galliano
- 1¼ ounces heavy cream
- 1¼ ounces white crème de cacao
- Ice
- Chocolate shavings for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, Galliano, heavy cream, and white crème de cacao.
- Shake well to chill and froth.
- Double strain into the chilled glass.
- Garnish with chocolate shavings.
Boogie Nights and Boozy Delights
Grab your dancing shoes, it's time to disco and have some drinks to celebrate the grooviest era in history: the 1970s. Whether you have something creamy and soft or biting and bold, the one thing these drinks all have in common is to drink with caution. The 70s sure knew how to party.
