Trendy Cocktails - Now and Then

The Spirit of '76 Happy Hour Barguide, a Sunday magazine advertising insert published by the Southern Comfort Corporation in 1975 (8 pages), named the the top 15 cocktails:

1. Dry Martini
2. Manhattan
3. Sour
4. Bloody Mary
5. Gimlet
6. Daiquiri
7. Collins
8. Old-Fashioned
9. Margarita
10. Screwdriver
11. Bacardi
12. Stinger
13. Wallbanger
14. Gin 'N Tonic
15. Sombrero

Included inside is a short paragraph:

"The College Influence: America's college-bred young adults have their own individualistic life-styles and preferences. They are trend-setters among not only their peer group, but all ages. In drinks, they prefer liquors that actually taste good. The same holds true in mixes; fruit juices and sodas were their favorites."

I fit into this age group in 1975 and the statement holds true with my memories. I was personally partial to Vodka Gimlets, with Screwdrivers coming in second. My friends prefered Wallbangers, Tequila Sunrises and Rum 'n Cokes.

In 2005 the most popular cocktails were Cosmopolitans, Margaritas, Martinis and Screaming Orgasms.

Some things change and some things don't.

Vodka Gimlet

4 parts Vodka
1 part Rose's sweetened lime juice

Shake well with cracked ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Serve with a small slice of fresh lime.

Flavored Whipped Toppings

I've mentioned before how I like Dream Whip Whipped Topping Mix because it reminds me of my grandmother. In the Jell-O Pudding Ideabook (1968, 44 pages) there are several ideas for adding some flavorings and colorings to a package of Dream Whip.

These toppings are a quick and easy way to dress up slices of plain pound cake or to use as fillings between cake layers. Several recipes in this cookbook use some of the flavored toppings shown below.

Flavored Whipped Toppings

1 envelope Dream Whip Whipped Topping Mix
1/2 cup cold milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Flavoring (see below)

Prepare Dream Whip with milk and vanilla as directed on package, adding the flavoring before or after whipping as directed below. Makes about 2 cups.

Peppermint Topping - After whipping, fold in 2 to 4 tablespoons crushed peppermint candy and a few drops red food coloring.

Mint Jelly Topping - Before whipping, add 2 to 4 tablespoons mint jelly. If desired, add green food coloring to make topping more colorful.

Mocha Topping - Before whipping, add 1 teaspoon Instant Maxwell House Coffee and 2 teaspoons cocoa. (For Coffee Topping, omit cocoa. For Cocoa Topping, omit coffee; use 1 tablespoon cocoa.)

Orange Topping - Before whipping, add 1 tablespoon grated orange rind. If desired, tint with red and yellow food coloring until orange colored.

Zebra Topping - After whipping, swirl 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup through topping--do not blend.

Rum Topping - Before whipping, add 1/4 teaspoon rum extract.

Peanut Butter Topping - Before whipping, add 1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter.

Spicy Topping - Before whipping, add about 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg or cinnamon.


After you've tried these, then dream up some new ones!