No matter what we do, we never feel like we can be as cool as Don Draper, Roger Sterling, and the other guys from Mad Men. Granted, they’re fictional TV characters… but still, they’re just so smooth. Well, they’re returning to our television screens tonight to kick off the show’s 7th season – which is technically the last season of the series, even though it’s being split into 2 parts with the second half airing next year. (Don’t you hate how they do that?)
The show’s first season started in 1960 and Don & Co. were drinking those classic manly cocktails like the Old Fashioned, Martini, and Whiskey Sour. Season 7 is presumably going to take place in 1969, and those times, they’re a-changin’. Don and Roger are still “good ole boys” and will probably still be fans of their classic drinks, but with this season taking place mostly in California instead of New York and in such a huge year in American history (Man walks on the moon, Woodstock!, Vietnam), the drinks are undoubtedly going to start looking a little different.
What types of cocktails might we see make an appearance in this new season of Mad Men? Only time will tell, but here are a few popular drinks from the late 1960s to keep an eye out for:
Sea Breeze: The Sea Breeze (and slight variations, like the Cape Codder and Greyhound) was one of the most popular drinks during the late 60s. Vodka was becoming more popular than gin at this time and when you mixed it with cranberry and grapefruit juices, it made a great Sea Breeze cocktail.
Screwdriver: Along the same lines as the Sea Breeze, the Screwdriver became popular a) because of vodka and b) because it’s one of the easiest cocktails you can make…ever.
Daiquiri: Modern times have found special ways to ruin the daiquiri, but it’s important to remember that it has humble, more simple beginnings. With just a little rum, lime juice and simple syrup, the late 60s knew how to do daiquiris.
Moonwalk: This cocktail was created in 1969 specifically to celebrate the first moon-landing. It’s just some grapefruit juice, Grand Marnier orange liqueur, rose water and Champagne.
The Season 7 premiere of Mad Men airs tonight on AMC at 10/9c.