Retro alcohol-based drinks that will impress at any party

From the black Russian to the Hervey Wallbanger, there were some off-the-wall alcohol-based drinks doing the rounds in the 1980s. How many of these do you remember?

Rebecca Nittolo

3 min read

January 19, 2024 - 2:30PM

Food

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Riccadonna, Blue Lagoon, B52: the gang’s all here.

Aussies can’t get enough of retro food right now.

When you’re not eating mornay and apricot chicken for dinner, you’re baking tea cakes and loaves just like Nanna used to. But how many retro drinks do you remember?

We’ve rounded up all the best old-school alcoholic drinks from the 80s, so you can reminisce about the good old days of psychedelic cocktails, punches made with canned fruit and layered liqueur shooters.

Cinzano.

Cinzano

The ultimate aperitif at 1980s soirees and dinner parties, the Bianco version of Cinzano was a clear yellowish vermouth served in cocktails or just on its own. It’s still around now (our very own Matt Preston loves cooking with it – it’s perfect in seafood dishes and risottos).

Black Russian.

Black/White Russian

It might seem like the less-cool uncle of espresso martini, but a black Russian cocktail (made with coffee liqueur and vodka) used to be bang on trend. The indulgent white version with added heavy cream was also so popular that we’ve paid tribute to it by turning it into a mousse.

Sunshine Punch.

Punch

Remember the days where we all tipped cartons of Golden Circle Sunshine Punch juice, canned fruit, glace cherries and whatever alcohol we could find into a huge bowl? Even though the ladle always resulted in lots of spillage, we persisted in serving punch this way for years.

Riccadonna.

Riccadonna

The sparkling asti spumante version of Riccadonna has been around since the 20s and is still one of the most popular imported wines in Australia. Back in the 80s though, a vermouth version of it was also huge.

Long Island Iced Tea.

Long Island Iced Tea

It came from New York, so it was the height of 80s and 90s cool. Super sugary, served over ice with an abundance of booze (our version has vodka, tequila, rum, gin AND Cointreau!), it made an appearance at many a retro shindig.

Tropical cocktail.

Malibu

The coconut spirit perfect in a pina colada (which has made a comeback, BTW) was also served with coke or as the hero of a tropical cocktail (umbrella not optional).

Negroni.

Martini Rosso

Often sitting alongside Cinzano in the drinks cabinet, this herby red vermouth is cool again thanks to the revival of the Negroni.

Blue Lagoon.

Blue Lagoon

A blue lagoon might have looked a bit like mouthwash, but it tasted like a tropical holiday.

B52s.

B52s (& friends)

Layered shots were all the rage in the 80s and 90s. B52s consisted of Kahlua and Baileys, while a slippery nipple was the sambuca version.

ReCold Duck.

Cold Duck

A sparkling, sweet red wine that came in a champagne bottle, Cold Duck gave many people a monster headache throughout the late 70s and early 80s.

Harvey Wallbanger.

Harvey Wallbanger

We always thought this was a pretty awesome name for what is essentially vodka and orange. It’s a classic!

Advocaat.

Snowball

Perfect for 80s Christmas celebrations, this cocktail starred yellow Advocaat liqueur, lemonade and lime. Don’t forget the maraschino cherry on top!

Tequila cocktail.

Tequila

A Sunrise when you wanted to relax. A Slammer when you wanted to get the party going. There was a tequila cocktail for every mood in the 80s…

Sheridan’s.

Sheridan’s

Remember this half white, half black bottle? The black was coffee liqueur, while the white was smooth vanilla cream – and you could mix and match to your own preference.

Calypso cocktail.

Midori

The bottle of this psychedelic green melon liqueur hasn’t changed in 40 years! This Calypso cocktail must have made an appearance at many an 80s gathering.

Coolabah.

Coolabah

Who could forget that sweet cask wine with the tap emerging from the silver sack inside? They never actually called it “wine” on the box: it was just “soft fruity white” or “dry red”. They still sell 5 litres of the stuff for just $15, which is a bit terrifying.