Spirit Cruises January 2023 Leaderboard

What to Drink for the Mad Men Final Season Premiere

by Emily Lee on Mar 31, 2015 in Culture


Photo via AMC

From Don Draper’s Old Fashioneds to Roger Sterling’s Martinis, classic cocktails of the 1960s have played a major role on AMC’s Mad Men, igniting modern-day buzz over timeless takes on whiskey, vodka, gin and more. Here are a few of the era’s signature drinks to stir or shake up for the premiere of the show’s final episodes, airing April 5 at 10/9c on AMC.


Photo via The Drink Nation

Manhattan
With a name like that, it's a surprise that New York's hard-drinking ad men aren't shown sipping this elegant concoction of whiskey and sweet vermouth more often. Never the less, it's a quintessential cocktail of the era. In fact, the Manhattan came first, paving the way for the Martinez, the Martini and a whole host of other spirit and vermouth combinations.
 


Photo via AMC

Martini (Dry)
Mad Men’s second season picks up in 1962, the year Dr. No informed the world that James Bond opts for a vodka martini (“shaken, not stirred”) in favor of the more traditional gin version. One classic approach is 2 ounces vodka, 1/3 ounce dry vermouth and an olive garnish. Roger Sterling would surely take his with smuggled Russian Stoli (see: Season 3, Episode 1).



Photo via The Drink Nation

Old Fashioned
This masculine number is a heady mix of whiskey, bitters and sugar, served with nothing more than a strip of lemon or orange peel. It also happens to be Don Draper's drink of choice, and he considers himself somewhat of an expert on mixing them. In season three, he serves hotel baron Conrad Hilton his own take featuring rye and soda water.



Photo via The Drink Nation

Tom Collins
After a long day at the office, Don likes to come home and fix himself (yet another) drink – or, even better, instruct his daughter on how to make one. In season two, Don teaches Sally how to make this refreshing mix of gin, lemon juice, sugar and soda.
 


Photo via AMC

Vodka Gimlet
This is Betty Draper’s signature drink and would most likely have been made with vodka and Rose’s West India Sweetened Lime Juice. While the Cuban missile crisis looms and there’s trouble in her marriage, Betty orders a gimlet at a bar before engaging in a backroom tryst with a stranger.

 


Tags: Cocktails
Recent Articles
spacer

Feedback

How are we doing? Tell us what you like or don't like and how we can improve. We would love to hear your thoughts!

*Name:
*E-mail:
*Suggestions:
 
Canada's Next Level Response to Tariffs Removes All U.S. Wine & Spirits From the Shelves

Canada's Next Level Response to Tariffs Removes All U.S. Wine & Spirits From the Shelves

Part of Canada's response, their retaliation, to the tariffs imposed on Canadian goods coming into the U.S. ha...read more ›

by Lew Bryson Mar 17, 2025
Philadelphia Craft Ice Co: Inside Look at the Ice Elevating Philly's Cocktail Scene

Philadelphia Craft Ice Co: Inside Look at the Ice Elevating Philly's Cocktail Scene

Philadelphia Craft Ice is the first artisanal ice company in Philly focused on elevating the quality of cockta...read more ›

by Drink Philly Mar 9, 2025
The Drink Nation Presents: The Home Bar Project

The Drink Nation Presents: The Home Bar Project

Have you ever dreamed of having an amazing home bar, filled with bottles you actually use and the tools you need to execute a fine crafted cocktail? E...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Nov 14, 2014
SPONSORED
Spirit Cruises January 2023 Desktop Bottom Rectangle 1
Franklin Mortgage Launches Pop-up Flower Shop & Speakeasy for Flower Show, March 2-8

Franklin Mortgage Launches Pop-up Flower Shop & Speakeasy for Flower Show, March 2-8

The Franklin Mortgage in Rittenhouse is transforming their entire space into a pop-up flower shop featuring a ...read more ›

by Drink Philly Feb 25, 2025
Local Winery Spotlight: Vox Vineti Wines

Local Winery Spotlight: Vox Vineti Wines

Ed Lazzerini says his goal is clear - to make world class wine in Pennsylvania. From the taste of it, he is well on his way. ...read more ›

by Drink Philly Nov 21, 2020
The 12th Annual Philly Bierfest Celebrates the Rich History of Brewing German-Style Beers in Pennsylvania, February 22

The 12th Annual Philly Bierfest Celebrates the Rich History of Brewing German-Style Beers in Pennsylvania, February 22

The German Society of Philadelphia's 12 Annual Bierfest returns February 22 with a selection of over 50 German...read more ›

by Michelle Cryder Feb 18, 2025
Behind the Bar: Solomon Thomas - Ambassador, Bartender, & Industry Community Advocate

Behind the Bar: Solomon Thomas - Ambassador, Bartender, & Industry Community Advocate

In this segment of Behind the Bar, we get a chance to speak with bartender and industry community advocate, So...read more ›

by Drink Philly Feb 4, 2025
Best Oktoberfests, Festivals, Block Parties & Halloween Events to Celebrate Fall in Philly

Best Oktoberfests, Festivals, Block Parties & Halloween Events to Celebrate Fall in Philly

Crisp weather and shorter days bring a variety of autumn events to Philadelphia. From yacht parties to haunted...read more ›

by Drink Philly Sep 15, 2024
Bar Palmina: Inside Look at Fishtown's Newest No-Alcohol Bar

Bar Palmina: Inside Look at Fishtown's Newest No-Alcohol Bar

One of the hottest new cocktail spots to hit the Fishtown neighborhood serves cocktails with no alcohol at all...read more ›

by Drink Philly Sep 11, 2024
Rittenhouse Goes Car-Free Every Sunday in September: Here are the Best Bars to Hit

Rittenhouse Goes Car-Free Every Sunday in September: Here are the Best Bars to Hit

Center City District will close the streets allowing pedestrians to enjoy outdoor seating, music, and activiti...read more ›

by Michelle Cryder Sep 6, 2024
SPONSORED
Drink Nation Home Bar Project Bottom Rectangle 2
View all Articles

Sign up to get weekly drinking news, bar reviews, events and more sent directly to your inbox!

Close