Top 10 Cocktails Made Famous by Film and TV
#10: Orange Whip
“The Blues Brothers” (1980) Well… that’s a cocktail name that’s sure to turn a few heads. But then again, we wouldn’t expect anything less from a film so infinitely quotable as 1980’s “The Blues Brothers”. The orange whip consists of orange juice, vodka, rum and cream. The ingredients are blended (without ice) and then poured into a glass on the rocks. It’s sweet, it packs a punch and is basically a boozy orange milkshake. When the beverage was featured in the film, it gained a notable boost in name recognition, which is funny, because neither of the Blues Brothers order an orange; it’s actually their decidedly uncool parole officer, Burton Mercer. Fun fact: John Candy actually improvised the line at the director’s prompting.
#9: Sweet Vermouth (on the Rocks with a Twist)
“Groundhog Day” (1993) In this classic early 90s comedy, Bill Murray plays Phil Connors, a TV weatherman who finds himself reliving the same day over and over again. To make matters worse, this time loop keeps him stuck in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, a small town for which he has great disdain. While it might not be quite as vibrant or bustling as Pittsburgh, Punxsutawney now bears the distinction of having popularized this particular cocktail. “Sweet vermouth on the rocks with a twist” is certainly a mouthful, and - as Phil’s face reminds us - it’s not for everyone. That being said, the botanical qualities of sweet vermouth (Italian in origin), with a hint of lemon might be just what the doctor ordered - especially if you’re dreaming of Rome [phil talks about roman sun].
#8: Singapore Sling with Mezcal on the Side
“Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” (1998) As a general rule, viewers should not attempt to emulate ANYTHING that Raoul Duke and Dr. Gonzo do in this psychedelic black comedy. The film is a cult classic and truly one-of-a-kind, but it’s the sort of wild ride that’s best observed from a safe distance. If you want a beverage to pair with your screening however, a round of Raoul and Gonzo’s preferred one-two punch of alcohol likely won’t do too much harm. A Singapore Sling is made with gin, cherry brandy, cointreau, Bénédictine, pineapple juice, grenadine, fresh lime, and a dash of Angostura Bitters. It’s dangerously easy to drink and packs a wallop, especially when served with a shot of mezcal on the side.
#7: Red Eye
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“Cocktail” (1988) This film might have been deemed Razzie-worthy by critics, but that didn’t stop it from making a ton of money at the box office - or popularizing this distinct cocktail. Now… using alcohol as a hangover cure isn’t the greatest idea, but as many a bartender has argued, sometimes the hair of the dog is a necessary last resort. A variant of the bloody caesar or bloody mary (two other popular morning or brunch cocktails), the Red Eye replaces vodka with beer, and adds raw egg to a base of chilled tomato juice. Throw in a bit of tabasco and you’ve got yourself an appropriately named Red Eye!
#6: French 75
“Casablanca” (1942) There are few films as enduringly romantic as “Casablanca”. The 1940s classic is packed with iconic elements: quotable dialogue, the instantly recognizable song “As Time Goes By”, one of the most memorable kisses in cinema history, and… French 75. Though many of the drinks on our list today are admittedly an acquired taste, this sweet, bubbly, yet strong and sophisticated cocktail is a real crowd pleaser. The recipe is simple: champagne, gin, lemon juice and simple syrup. Mix them together in appropriate proportions and you’ve got an instant classic. So named for the French 75mm field gun, this cocktail has got kick and an important place in cinematic history.
#5: Cosmopolitan
“Sex and the City” (1998-2004) Cocktails seem to have more difficulty making an impression on TV than in film, but that makes the ones that do stand out all the more impressive. The origins of this drink are much-contested, with about a dozen different people claiming to be its inventor. What everyone can agree on however, is that a cosmo requires vodka (often lemon-flavored), cranberry juice, fresh lime juice and triple sec. There’s also no debate as to how the cosmopolitan went from a newly trendy cocktail in the early 90s, to a household name; bartenders everywhere have Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha to thank for that. These four influential girlfriends made it their drink of choice, and women across America followed suit.
#4: Manhattan
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“Some Like It Hot” (1959) Funnily enough, the “manhattan” actually owes its pop culture presence to a film set in Chicago and Miami. This black and white genderbending comedy was released in 1959 and stars Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon. Aboard a train where alcohol and men are both forbidden, a makeshift batch of Manhattan’s are whipped up in a hot water bottle. It’s charming and risque in equal measures. Made using whisky, sweet vermouth, and bitters, the Manhattan was already a relatively popular cocktail by the time this film was released, with roots going back to 1870, but this scene added an extra layer of appeal through association.
#3: Old Fashioned
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“Mad Men” (2007-15) To call this show influential is a gross understatement. Much as “Sex and the City” inspired the fashion, vocabulary and ideals of a generation, so too did “Mad Men” have a major impact on its dedicated audience. In fact, the show was such a cultural phenomenon that it gave birth to a term known as the “Mad Men Effect”. Now, thankfully not everything from this 1960s-set series is portrayed as “cool”, most notably the decade’s overt misogyny; but alongside his fashion sense, Don Draper’s drink of choice certainly drew a lot of attention and imitators. Bourbon or whiskey, a healthy splash of angostura bitters, a sugar cube plus a citrus twist, and you’ve got yourself a delicious drink that your grandfather would’ve been proud of.
#2: White Russian
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“The Big Lebowski” (1998) This 1998 Coen Brothers film made a modest return at the box office, but its pop culture legacy continues to pay dividends. Endlessly quotable and extremely rewatchable, “The Big Lebowski” endures on the strength of its slacker protagonist, the Dude. Let’s be completely honest with one another: a drink made of vodka, coffee liqueur and cream is a hard sell. Then again, you probably wouldn’t be very impressed if you saw somebody doing groceries in their housecoat either. But such is the magic of Jeffrey “the Dude” Lebowski, his attitude imbues his every action and choice with an effortless sense of cool. And you know what? Having given it a try, we had to admit that a white russian is absolutely delightful. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions Mississippi Punch “Breakfast at Tiffany's” (1961) Tom Collins “Meet the Parents” (2000) Mai Tai “Blue Hawaii” (1961) 7&7 “Saturday Night Fever” (1977) J&B Straight & a Corona “American Psycho” (2000)
#1: Vodka Martini
James Bond franchise (1962-) Suave, sophisticated, and deadly, Agent 007 has been the definition of cool for decades. It’s only fitting that his drink of choice be equally omnipresent within the pop culture landscape. So influential is Bond, in fact, that he’s muddled the definition of a martini; as director of the New York Bartending School Tom Sisson told Time magazine in 2008, before Bond hit the big screen, a martini was made with gin by default, and never shaken. Of course, diehard fans of Ian Fleming’s novels might be more drawn to the “vesper martini”, introduced in “Casino Royale” - made with gin, vodka, and aromatised wine.
