Iowa Fall 21-Winter 22 - 12

that had recurring roles in " Mad Men " have
regained popularity in today's bars: Old Fashioned,
Manhattan, Whiskey Sour, Vodka Martini, Vodka
Gimlet and Bloody Mary.
Probably no sitcom of the '60s had more characters
downing cocktails-in the office and at home,
with friends and clients-than " Bewitched " (19641972).
Just what was in those highball and martini
glasses? Darrin and his coworkers
likely downed some of the same
drinks that the " Mad Men " men did,
with perhaps a gin Gimlet and
Sidecar added to the mix.
Men " preference for a Vodka Gimlet.
" By 1970, all the classic, well-made cocktails were
considered old-fashioned and unpopular, " drinks
expert David Wondrich says. The rise of recreational
drugs led to the declining use of alcohol, he adds,
so " liquor companies started churning out sweet
gimmick cocktails featuring fruit juices, dairy and
crazy names. "
In 1976, the creation of the Kamikaze marked the
advent of shooters. Others soon followed, such as
the Training Bra (1981) and Jell-O Shots (1980s).
FORGET HISTORY BOOKS - ASK THE
HISTORY MAKERS
THE THREE-MARTINI
LUNCH: GIN
RICKEY
A D.C. lobbyist is credited with dreaming up
the sugar-free Bourbon Rickey in the late 19th
century. Variations followed, with the Gin
Rickey becoming the most popular. As evidence
of its stature, the cocktail was served in F. Scott
Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby (1925).
2 ounces gin
½ ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
Club soda, to top
Lime wheel for garnish
 Add gin and lime juice to a highball
glass with ice and stir gently. Top with
club soda. Garnish.
Today, we see the contemporary cocktail scene as,
well, the bee's knees, but Gramps, Granny, Mom
and Pop had some worthwhile tipples, too!
A social media straw poll of elder drinking habits
reveals that whiskey graced many an after-work
glass, often with still-familiar liquors: Old Grand-Dad,
Jack Daniel, Wild Turkey, Seagram's and Crown
Royal.
Scotch was a favorite: neat, on the rocks, or with
a splash of club soda. People were drinking Dewars,
Chivas, and Johnny Walker Red. They drank the
occasional Scotch cocktail, too.
There were fans of Tennessee, rye, and Irish whiskey.
One favorite cocktail was Rock and Rye: chunky
rock candy on a stick in rye whiskey.
Then, as now, bourbon loyalists abounded. It was
Midcentury also saw increasing attention to culinary
convenience: frozen foods, TV dinners,
Hamburger Helper and packaged mixes. The movement
sloshed over into drinks, too. Bottled sour
mixes, simple syrups and mass-produced juices
replaced fresh-made options behind the bar, and
cloyingly sweet drinks rose in popularity. Classic herbaceous
liqueurs like Benedictine made way for
sweet schnapps. Gin-based Gimlets of the time used
Rose's lime cordial, pre-mixed lime juice and sugar.
Vodka sales surged, delivering the buzz without
interference from flavor. This may explain the " Mad
enjoyed neat, with a splash of water, or on the rocks
as well as in a diversity of cocktails. One couple's
evening ritual was Southern Comfort Manhattans
with shrimp cocktails. One man had a shot of bourbon
after work, chased with a non-alcoholic beverage.
Bourbon whiskey was mixed with Wink
grapefruit-based soda, diet cola or ginger ale.
Other favored liquors from a generation or two
past included cream sherry, Heering cherry liqueur,
Drambuie, applejack, amaretto, moonshine,
schnapps, Mickey Finn green apple whiskey, cognac
and Ricard anise liqueur.
Other favorite whiskey cocktails were-and still
are-the Manhattan and Old Fashioned as well as
the Whiskey Sour. Canadian whiskey had a place in
many home bars, too: Seagram's 7, Seagram's VO,
Crown Royal and Windsor Canadian whisky. The 7
& 7 cocktail-6 ounces 7UP and 1 ounce Seagram's
7-saw plenty of action.
Other go-to cocktails included Vodka Tonic, Gin
& Tonic, Sours with a variety of liquors, Screwdriver,
Tom Collins, and, of course, Martinis.
12 IOWA SPIRITS
Iowa Fall 21-Winter 22

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