1. Whiskey Smash
The Whiskey Smash is like the ancestor of the modern mojito, but with whiskey taking the lead instead of rum. It mixes muddled citrus and fresh mint with sugar and a healthy pour of whiskey, creating a refreshing yet potent drink. In the 1800s, this was a go-to for summer gatherings, especially in the South where whiskey was abundant. Its simple ingredients made it easy for bartenders to whip up quickly during busy nights.
What makes the Whiskey Smash memorable is how it balances sweet, tart, and herbal notes without overpowering the whiskey. While it’s mostly forgotten today, cocktail enthusiasts occasionally resurrect it for a taste of pre-Prohibition America. Its influence is seen in modern “smash” cocktails that use seasonal fruits and fresh herbs. It reminds us that sometimes the classics were classics for a reason.
2. The Brandy Crusta
The Brandy Crusta was the precursor to the Sidecar and had a loyal following in New Orleans during the mid-19th century. Served in a glass with a sugared rim and a twist of lemon peel, it’s bright, boozy, and a little theatrical. Its combination of brandy, lemon, sugar, and a hint of orange liqueur makes it a well-rounded cocktail that’s both citrusy and warming. Bartenders loved it for its eye-catching presentation as much as its flavor.
Its significance comes from being one of the first cocktails to use a rim garnish as an integral part of the drink. While modern mixologists focus on more complex creations, the Brandy Crusta reminds us that elegance and simplicity can coexist beautifully. It’s a drink that bridges the gap between classic French brandy cocktails and contemporary craft cocktails. Sipping one today feels like stepping back into a parlor from another century.
3. Ramos Gin Fizz
The Ramos Gin Fizz is almost mythical for its labor-intensive preparation, involving egg white, cream, citrus, and gin, all shaken to foamy perfection. Invented in New Orleans in the 1880s, it was popularized in soda fountains before Prohibition shut many of them down. Its unique texture—light, creamy, and frothy—sets it apart from other gin cocktails of the era. The labor of shaking it for 12 minutes was legendary, but it proved just how dedicated bartenders were to creating the perfect drink.
Beyond its technique, the Ramos Gin Fizz influenced the modern approach to texture in cocktails. Today, you see bartenders experimenting with foams, creams, and emulsions, a direct nod to this historic beverage. It’s more than a drink; it’s a statement of patience, precision, and showmanship. Remembering it helps highlight how craft and creativity were never new concepts behind the bar.
4. The Sazerac
The Sazerac is often cited as one of America’s first cocktails, originating in New Orleans in the 1830s. Its recipe combines rye whiskey, absinthe (or a substitute), a sugar cube, and Peychaud’s bitters, creating a robust, aromatic drink. It was considered both medicinal and pleasurable, bridging the gap between apothecary tonics and social drinking. Its ritualistic preparation—rinsing the glass with absinthe—added a layer of drama to drinking.
Its influence on American cocktail culture is undeniable, inspiring a generation of bitters-heavy, spirit-forward cocktails. The Sazerac embodies the city’s French and Creole heritage while showcasing the creativity of early bartenders. It’s also an early example of a cocktail that relies on a balance of bitter and sweet rather than just alcohol strength. Appreciating the Sazerac means appreciating the artistry and history of American mixology.
5. Gin Rickey
The Gin Rickey is refreshingly simple: gin, lime, and soda water over ice. Invented in Washington, D.C., in the late 19th century, it gained popularity because it was low in sugar and easy to drink. Unlike the sweeter cocktails of its time, the Gin Rickey was crisp, tart, and almost medicinal, making it perfect for hot summer days. Its simplicity made it a staple in political circles and high society alike.
Its significance lies in its pioneering role in sparkling, spirit-forward drinks that emphasize citrus and carbonation over syrupy sweetness. Modern bartenders often revisit the Gin Rickey when they want a crisp, refreshing template to showcase unusual gins or fresh herbs. It’s a reminder that some of the most memorable cocktails are the ones that feel effortless. And despite its elegance, it never lost its approachability.
6. Tom and Jerry
Tom and Jerry is less a cocktail and more a holiday ritual, a warm blend of eggs, sugar, spices, and spirits. Invented in the 1820s, it was the seasonal equivalent of eggnog, but with more showmanship and a fluffier texture. The drink required whipped batter mixed with hot milk or water and brandy or rum, making it decadent and warming. It was a favorite in 19th-century American households and taverns during winter celebrations.
Its influence is cultural as much as it is culinary, shaping the way Americans approached holiday drinks. It predates modern hot cocktails like hot buttered rum and mulled wine. While rarely found on bar menus today, it captures a sense of communal celebration that defined early American drinking traditions. Enjoying one is like tasting history in a mug.
7. Champagne Cocktail
The Champagne Cocktail is deceptively simple: sugar, bitters, and a splash of brandy topped with champagne. It dates back to the mid-1800s and was one of the first cocktails to elevate sparkling wine from mere celebration to mixology material. Its charm lies in its elegance and adaptability, allowing bartenders to play with garnishes and bitters to suit the occasion. Early drinkers appreciated it as both festive and refined, a drink that felt indulgent but approachable.
Its lasting significance is in showing that cocktails don’t need to be complicated to be revolutionary. The Champagne Cocktail paved the way for other sparkling wine mixes and inspired celebratory drinks still used in modern mixology. Its presence on menus today is rare, but it represents a bridge between simple elegance and creative experimentation. This drink reminds us that fizz and flair have been partners in American cocktails for centuries.
8. Sherry Cobbler
The Sherry Cobbler was a runaway hit in the 1800s, especially with socialites and the upper class. Sherry, sugar, and fresh fruit mixed with ice created a refreshing, slightly sweet drink perfect for afternoon sipping. Its easy-to-drink profile and visually appealing garnishes made it the Instagram of its day. It even sparked a bit of a craze, leading to the invention of specialized cobbler glasses.
Its importance is in its role as one of the first cocktails to popularize the concept of muddled fruit. Many modern fruity cocktails borrow the Sherry Cobbler’s philosophy of combining alcohol with seasonal produce. It also represents early American experimentation with European spirits. Remembering it gives insight into how elegance and accessibility drove early cocktail trends.
9. Brandy Alexander
The Brandy Alexander became popular in the early 20th century as a creamy, dessert-like cocktail. Made with brandy, crème de cacao, and cream, it offers a smooth, chocolaty flavor perfect for after-dinner indulgence. Its richness made it a favorite at fancy parties, and it even appeared in literature and film as a symbol of sophistication. Despite its decline, it remains a classic template for creamy cocktails.
Its significance comes from influencing a whole generation of dessert cocktails, showing that indulgence and balance could coexist. Bartenders learned to integrate cream and liqueur without overpowering the primary spirit. It also represents a bridge between cocktail culture and culinary dessert experiences. Sipping a Brandy Alexander today evokes nostalgia for a more glamorous era of American nightlife.
10. Clover Club
The Clover Club cocktail hails from a Philadelphia men’s club of the same name in the late 1800s. It blends gin, lemon juice, raspberry syrup, and egg white for a frothy, tart, and slightly sweet drink. Once a staple of high-society bars, it fell out of favor during Prohibition but is now admired by cocktail historians. Its beauty lies in the balance of gin’s botanicals with the fruity and creamy elements.
Its historical importance is tied to its early use of egg whites for texture, inspiring many modern frothy cocktails. It also reflects the pre-Prohibition cocktail culture where appearance and presentation were as important as taste. The Clover Club reminds us that early American bartenders were experimenting far beyond the basic highball. Rediscovering it is like finding a lost chapter in cocktail history.
11. Blood and Sand
Blood and Sand is a striking Scotch-based cocktail that first appeared in the 1920s, named after a Rudolph Valentino movie. Mixing Scotch, sweet vermouth, cherry liqueur, and orange juice, it’s balanced, fruity, and smoky at the same time. Its unusual combination of flavors was daring for its time and stands out among other whiskey or Scotch cocktails. The drink’s cinematic name gave it a touch of glamour that kept it on menus for decades.
Its significance comes from introducing Scotch whisky to the cocktail world in a sophisticated, approachable way. Many people in America at the time primarily drank Scotch neat, so this was revolutionary. The Blood and Sand demonstrates that cocktails can tell a story while challenging palates. It’s a reminder of how movies and popular culture shaped drinking trends.
12. Martinez
The Martinez is considered the forebear of the modern martini, originating in the mid-1800s. Gin, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and bitters combine to create a complex, slightly sweet, and aromatic cocktail. Its elegance and depth made it a favorite in San Francisco and New York, often served as a pre-dinner drink. Some historians even credit it as the inspiration for James Bond’s preference for martinis.
Its importance lies in its role as a bridge between old-school gin cocktails and the minimalist martini we know today. It also highlights how early bartenders experimented with flavor layering using bitters and liqueurs. Rediscovering the Martinez provides insight into how cocktail culture evolved from ornate, complex recipes to sleek, spirit-forward classics. It’s a sip of history that reminds us where many of today’s iconic drinks began.
This post 12 Forgotten Drinks That Shaped American Cocktails was first published on American Charm.
