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.