Classic Cocktails That Defined the 1960s

The 1960s were an era of style, swagger, and sophistication, from Mad Men to moon landings, the decade had a vibe all its own. And when it came to cocktails, the drinks were as bold and iconic as the times. Whether served at smoky supper clubs or swinging house parties, these mid-century favorites remain timeless. Here’s a look at some of the most popular cocktails of the 1960s, with recipes to bring them back to life behind your own bar.

🍸 1. Old Fashioned

A true classic that never really went out of style, but the ’60s saw it front and center thanks to the cocktail culture revival. It’s bold, boozy, and endlessly smooth.

Ingredients:

2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
1 sugar cube
2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
Splash of club soda or water
Orange peel and cherry for garnish

Instructions:
Muddle the sugar cube and bitters with a splash of water in a rocks glass. Add ice, pour in the whiskey, stir gently, and garnish with an orange peel and a cherry.

🍒 2. Whiskey Sour

Simple, sour, and refreshingly balanced—this one was a hit at both bars and home cocktail parties.

Ingredients:

2 oz bourbon
3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
Optional: egg white for a smoother texture
Cherry and orange slice for garnish

Instructions:
Shake all ingredients with ice (dry shake first if using egg white), then strain into an old fashioned glass over ice. Garnish with a cherry and orange slice.

🍸 3. Martini

While its roots go back further, the Martini dominated the ’60s, especially the dry version, often made with gin and just a whisper of vermouth.

Ingredients:

2 1/2 oz gin
1/2 oz dry vermouth
Lemon twist or olive for garnish

Instructions:
Stir gin and vermouth with ice until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a twist or olive.

🍹 4. Mai Tai

Tiki culture was booming in the ’60s, and the Mai Tai was a tropical standout that brought Polynesian flair to any party.

Ingredients:

1 oz light rum
1 oz dark rum
1/2 oz orange curaçao
1/2 oz lime juice
1/4 oz orgeat syrup
Lime wheel and mint for garnish

Instructions:
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into an old fashioned glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with lime and mint.

🧊 5. Tom Collins

This tall, fizzy gin cocktail was perfect for backyard barbecues and hot summer days.

Ingredients:

2 oz gin
1 oz lemon juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
Club soda to top
Lemon wheel and cherry for garnish

Instructions:
Shake gin, lemon juice, and syrup with ice, strain into a Collins glass filled with ice, and top with club soda. Garnish with lemon and cherry.

🥃 6. Harvey Wallbanger

A late-’60s party staple, this fun and fruity drink came with a mysterious backstory and a lot of orange juice.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz vodka
3 oz orange juice
1/2 oz Galliano (Italian herbal liqueur)

Instructions:
Build vodka and orange juice over ice in a highball glass. Float Galliano on top. Serve with an orange slice.

🍊 7. Sidecar

Popularized before the ’60s, the Sidecar held strong thanks to its refined balance of tart and sweet.

Ingredients:

2 oz cognac
3/4 oz triple sec (or Cointreau)
3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
Sugar rim (optional)

Instructions:
Shake all ingredients with ice, strain into a chilled coupe glass (rimmed with sugar if desired).

Raise a Glass to Retro Cool

Whether you’re channeling Don Draper vibes or just want to impress at your next cocktail night, these 1960s favorites offer a crash course in vintage flavor. They’re also great foundational drinks for bartending students, teaching core techniques like muddling, balancing citrus, and layering liqueurs.

Want to master these and more?
Check out our hands-on mixology classes at National Bartending School and learn the art of crafting timeless cocktails like a pro.

Looking to host a ’60s style cocktail soiree? National Bartender Staffing can make it swing! Learn more!

Cheers to the classics—because good taste never goes out of style.