1960s – 1980s

The Dark Ages

The craft died. Sour mix replaced fresh juice. Blenders replaced shakers. Frozen drinks dominated. Most bars couldn't make a Manhattan if you asked. The famous cocktail inventions of this era are few and dubious. A handful of drinks from this period are genuinely good (the Bramble, 1984; vodka cocktails like the Espresso Martini, 1983; the Vodka Martini's complete takeover) — but mostly this is the period that craft bartenders spent the next thirty years recovering from.

Common spirits:Vodka (everything was vodka)

Flavors:Sour mix, Grenadine, Blue curaçao, Cream

Good for:Nostalgia, irony, a frozen margarita on a hot day if you must.

9 drinks from this era

BrambleThe Dark Ages CosmopolitanThe Dark Ages Espresso MartiniThe Dark Ages Jungle BirdThe Dark Ages Negroni SbagliatoThe Dark Ages PainkillerThe Dark Ages RositaThe Dark Ages SaturnThe Dark Ages Vodka EspressoThe Dark Ages