The pendulum of cultural trends, from fashion to home décor to cocktails, is ever-shifting from subdued minimalism to excessive, glittering maximalism. The 2010s, rounded out by the global gut-punch that was the COVID-19 pandemic, were a melancholy procession of neutral color palettes, Mari Kondo-fication and an almost self-flagellant obsession with “clean” eating and drinking.
The pendulum of cultural trends, from fashion to home décor to cocktails, is ever-shifting from subdued minimalism to excessive, glittering maximalism. The 2010s, rounded out by the global gut-punch that was the COVID-19 pandemic, were a melancholy procession of neutral color palettes, Mari Kondo-fication and an almost self-flagellant obsession with “clean” eating and drinking.
While we were all stuck inside, we longed for simpler, carefree times. ‘90s fashion trends, like chokers, slip dresses and bucket hats, made a comeback on social media, and all things ‘90s soon followed suit.
You may have noticed the effects of ‘90s nostalgia seeping into cocktail bar menus as well. The ‘90s bar scene was characterized by fruity, fun and (usually) sugary drinks. In playful defiance of the sophisticated Old Fashioneds and Manhattans on the bar menu, the ‘90s’ favorite it-girl cocktails were kitschy ‘tinis in a variety of candy-inspired flavors that didn’t seem to take themselves too seriously. Consider the fact that fashion with tons of layers and mixed patterns and water concoctions with oodles of flavored powder packets and syrups are what’s trending on TikTok these days, and it should come as no surprise that the ‘90s’ flirty, tongue-in-cheek cocktails are back in vogue.
We respectfully request that you slip into your favorite velour tracksuit and grab your Tamagotchis for today’s round-up of 7 ‘90s cocktail recipes you should try.
The Cosmo is technically an ‘80s baby, but this pale pink drink became a GNO staple when Carrie Bradshaw and the rest of the Sex and the City ladies started sipping these on the small screen in the late ‘90s. Some find this drink to be a bit too cloying, but we promise that a Cosmo mixed with freshly squeezed juice is guaranteed to be tasty, tart and most refreshing.
1 ½ ounces SKYY Infusions Citrus Vodka
½ ounce Charles Regnier Triple Sec
1 ounce cranberry juice
¼ ounce fresh lime juice
lime wheel
In a shaker with ice, add vodka, liqueur, cranberry juice and lime juice. Shake and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.
We might as well start calling this cocktail era the nineTINIs for how often ‘tinis are featured in throwback recipes. Pretty much anything served in a martini glass had the ‘tini moniker slapped on the end of the drink name, illustrating the ‘90s bar scene’s devil-may-care attitude toward drink flavors, ingredients and naming conventions alike. The lemon drop martini is one such drink, but we won’t lie: we still crave this saccharine-sweet and sour tipple whenever we hear Destiny’s Child playing.
Lemon wedge
Sugar
2 ounces Grey Goose Le Citron Vodka
¾ ounce Charles Regnier Triple Sec
¾ ounce fresh lemon juice
½ ounce simple syrup
Lemon twist
Rim glass with lemon wedge and dip into sugar. Place glass in refrigerator to chill. In a shaker with ice, add vodka, triple sec, lemon juice and simple syrup. Shake well and strain into chilled, prepared glass. Garnish with lemon twist.
The undisputed queen of the ‘90s cocktail menu (and our hearts), the espresso martini has taken the world by storm all over again in 2023. When you need something to perk you up to make it through last call, the espresso martini is there in all her frosty, caffeinated glory. Check out our video below for how to make the perfect espresso martini or click here for a round-up of the best espresso martini recipe variations.
1 ⅓ ounces Absolut Vodka
⅔ ounce Kahlúa Coffee Liqueur
⅔ ounce espresso
3 whole coffee beans
Place a martini glass in freezer to chill. Combine vodka, coffee liqueur and espresso in a shaker with ice. Shake well. Strain into chilled glass. Garnish with coffee beans.
As the signature order of designated drivers, the Shirley Temple is a beloved classic mocktail. But what could be more meta, nay, more recalcitrant, than adding alcohol to such an innocent mixed drink? That’s ‘90s cocktail culture for you. Dirty your next Shirley with a couple glug-glugs of tequila for a good time.
6 ounces lemon-lime soda
2 ounces 818 Tequila Blanco by Kendall Jenner
¾ ounce grenadine
Maraschino cherries
In a glass with ice, add 2 ounces of lemon-lime soda, tequila and grenadine. Top with remaining soda. Garnish with cherries.
Some ‘90s cocktails are best left in the bars and clubs of the past, but the whiskey sour is a simple, three-ingredient cocktail that’s always right on time. Bright citrus, smooth bourbon and sweet simple syrup with a cherry on top come together in a classic cocktail that we’re always in the mood for.
1 ½ ounces Cooper’s Mark Bourbon Whiskey
¾ ounce fresh lemon juice
¾ ounce simple syrup
Cherry
Combine bourbon, lemon juice and simple syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice and garnish with a cherry.
The Appletini led the charge of fruity, brightly colored drinks in the ‘90s, using sour apple pucker liqueur to achieve the drink’s neon green hue. For an elevated version of this playful favorite, swap the liqueur for apple vodka. The result is all green apple crispness with none of the nauseating sweetness. For a non-alcoholic version, use CleanCo Clean V Apple Vodka Alternative instead of real vodka.
1 ½ ounces CÎROC French Apple Vodka
¾ ounce fresh lemon juice
¾ ounce simple syrup
Apple slices
Add vodka, lemon juice and simple syrup to a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a glass. Garnish with apple slices.
Despite the overwhelming majority to the contrary, not ALL ‘90s cocktails were syrupy sweet. When in doubt, a classic dry martini (yes, a real martini this time) is always a pro move. It’s simple, clean and oh-so chic.
1 ½ ounces Ketel One Vodka
½ ounce Martini Dry Vermouth
Lemon twist
Place martini glass in refrigerator. In a mixing glass, add vodka, vermouth and ice. Stir until chilled. Strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.
