9 Old-School Cocktails That Will Take You Back To The Mad Men Era
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In the words of Don Draper, “Could you keep it down? I’m trying to drink.” The iconic AMC drama Mad Men, set in 1960, follows the lives of the ruthless men and women of the Madison Avenue advertising world, where big egos run the game. Don Draper, the main character and fearless antihero of the series, is just about the biggest ad man in the biz and he struggles to navigate his way through a rapidly changing world. Alcohol is just about the only constant throughout the entire seven seasons.
The show introduced and inspired a new generation of consumers to the realm of old-fashioned cocktails. Whether you’re having a classy Mad Men-themed dinner party or looking to play some drinking games, channel your inner Don or Peggy and shake up some of these old-school libations.
1. Gimlet
This is a pretty simple, citrus-infused drink and a favorite of Betty, Don’s first wife. Shake some gin with lime juice and simple syrup, strain it into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a lime wedge.
2. Old Fashioned
This is Don Draper’s drink of choice and he’s a pro at making his own. The old fashioned is one of the most revered simple cocktails out there with a bold mixture of whiskey, Angostura bitters, orange peel and rich simple syrup. Get yourself a few Cuban cigars, put your feet up and get your whiskey on.
3. Manhattan
Popular theories suggest that the Manhattan was created at the Manhattan Club in New York City in the early 1870s in honor of the then-presidential candidate Samuel J. Tilden. Combine whiskey (straight rye is the original choice), sweet vermouth and Angostura bitters in a shaker with ice. Some people might add a Maraschino cherry for a little extra sweetness.
4. Brandy Alexander
Basically a spiked milkshake, the Brandy Alexander is made with Cognac, creme de cacao liqueur, heavy cream and nutmeg. In season one, Peggy orders the rich and sweet cocktail on her fail of a date with Carl the truck driver.
5. Tom Collins
Yet another favorite of Don, the Tom Collins is made with fresh lemon juice, gin, sugar and carbonated water. It’s usually garnished with a cherry and an orange slice. In season two, Don teaches his then 6-year-old daughter how to make a Tom Collins for their party guests.
6. Mint Julep
Known as the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, a Mint Julep is made with bourbon, sugar, water, crushed or shaved ice and fresh mint leaves. Serve it in a highball glass or a pewter cup. Betty makes a bunch of mint juleps for the grown-ups at her daughter Sally’s birthday party in season one.
7. Blue Hawaiian
Joan prepares a Hawaiian-themed New Year’s Eve dinner for her husband Greg in season four before he deploys to Vietnam. All you’ll need is rum, blue curacao, creme de coconut and pineapple juice. Next time you’re at a tiki bar, ask the bartender to whip you up one of these tropical treats.
8. Whiskey Sour
Lemon or lime juice and sugar, along with any liquor, create what’s known in the cocktail world as a sour. When Ted, Peggy and Pete were having dinner and drinks after their meeting with Ocean Spray, Peggy opts for a whiskey sour and then Pete decides to switch to sours in hopes of impressing her. This drink involves whiskey, lemon juice, sugar and an optional dash of egg white. It’s usually garnished with a lemon wedge and a cherry.
9. Gibson
While the Gibson hasn’t received as much national acclaim as the other classic cocktails, it made an appearance in the Mad Men universe as a favorite of Roger Cooper. Stir gin and vermouth with ice and strain it into a chilled cocktail glass. Add a pickled onion as a garnish.
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