20 Drinks That Were "All The Rage" Back In The Day But Have Basically Disappeared From Bars Today

Claudia Santos
·3 min read

As much as I'm a fan of impressive mixology today, I sometimes even like returning to those classic and retro cocktails that my parents so often rave about. Recently, redditor tshirtguy2000 asked older adults of the r/AskOldPeople community to share the drinks from their youth that they believe deserve to make a comeback. Here are the old-school, nostalgic beverages they shared.

1."Singapore Sling."

Cocktail in a tall glass with a pink umbrella and red lantern, accompanied by a bottle of Bombay Bramble gin, on a balcony table

2."I don't know if I want them to make a comeback, and I'm not sure it qualifies as a cocktail, but remember wine coolers? Bartles & Jaymes, California Cooler, Seagram's Escapes, etc."

—DeludedSwoledMan

"I used to like these — they tasted like fruity beers. Also, the commercial with Bruce Willis singing about Seagram's Golden Wine Coolers is embedded in my memory (it was a '90s commercial)."

—fanatiqual

3."The Gimlet. It's such a simple drink, but I've yet to find a bartender at a non-mixology bar who makes it right: It's gin, simple syrup, and lime juice. I've received it with vodka and lemon juice (after being asked, 'What kind of vodka?' and replying, 'Hendricks'), and with gin and simple syrup with a lime wedge."

A cocktail glass with a lime slice garnish is on a coaster, next to a bottle of Roku Gin in a casual setting

4."Harvey Wallbanger."

—Important_Stroke_myc

5."Brandy Alexander."

A hand holds a frothy cocktail in a coupe glass, overlooking a snowy cityscape from a high vantage point

6."I drink whiskey sours almost every evening. Very tasty. I also make my own simple syrup, which saves money."

—Kingsolomanhere

"Yup, I'm still drinking them. Over the years, I've just upgraded the whiskey I use."

—HardRockGeologist

7."Bee's Knees. It's a gin martini made with lemon juice and honey simple syrup. Delish!"

A bottle of Bombay Sapphire gin, a framed pasta guide, and a martini glass with a lemon twist on a counter

8."I'm a gin and tonic person. What really annoys me is when bars pour both 'tonic' and soda from a hose. That's not real tonic."

—Tristan_Booth

9."The Sloe Gin Fizz livened up many a party from my youth."

Tall cocktail with frothy top, garnished with a dried citrus slice, beside a copper shaker and bottle of sloe gin on a bar mat

10."Vodka sunrise using real raspberry cordial and fresh pineapple juice."

—notjustanotherdino

11."White Russian."

A glass filled with a dark cocktail topped with foam sits on a countertop. A bottle of Tito's Handmade Vodka is in the background

12."A real Tom Collins, not the nasty mix."

—DasderdlyD4

13."Grasshopper."

Creamy cocktail in a coupe glass, garnished with fresh mint leaves on a wooden table, surrounded by jars and bottles

14."The Lime Rickey."

—TheRealJamesWax

15."Mai Tai."

A cocktail with crushed ice, mint garnish, and a small bottle of Underberg on top in a decorated glass on a bar counter

16."The Midori Melon Ball."

—Moxie_215

17."Kir Royale. It was my 'fancy' drink back in the '80s in DC."

A glass of pink champagne, a bottle of Mathilde liqueur, a bottle of Taittinger, and a bowl of strawberries on a wooden surface in a forest setting

18."I'm going way back here, but a Sidecar made the original way, with a raw egg."

—Any-External-6221

19."Boulevardier. It hasn't been popular since the 1920s, I don't think, but they're delicious and usually come with a gigantic square ice cube in the glass, which I like."

A Negroni cocktail with an orange twist on a table, set against a backdrop of books and assorted containers

20."The original Daiquiri, not the frozen strawberry shit."

—GuitarJazzer

Are there any retro cocktails that you'd love to make a comeback? Tell us in the comments or fill out this anonymous form!

Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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