Many drinks have skyrocketed to popularity in bars and restaurants after appearing on the big screen. Of all the beverages that have become associated with specific movie scenes and characters, cocktails may be the most iconic. You’ll find cocktails setting the mood or enhancing the moment throughout motion picture history, whether you’re watching a glamorous film of Hollywood’s Golden Age or a modern television series.
If you want to try these drinks for yourself or impress friends with movie-themed cocktails, here are some of the most famous movie drinks and the films that popularized them.
1. James Bond — Vodka Martini
James Bond’s effortless cool extends from his crisp suits to his choice of drink. The Vodka Martini first appeared in the 1962 Bond film “Dr. No” and has been a constant in the world of 007 ever since. Bond also has perhaps one of the most well-known preferences for drinking Vodka Martinis — “Shaken, not stirred.”
To make this classic Vodka Martini, you’ll need the following:
- 2 measures of vodka
- ½ to ¾ measure of dry vermouth
- A fresh twist of lemon peel
2. Casino Royale — Vesper
This variation on Bond’s typical martini appeared in the 2006 film “Casino Royale,” with Bond played by Daniel Craig. Ian Fleming, the author of the Bond novels, invented the Vesper Martini in the 1953 novel of the same name.
The ingredients for the Vesper Martini are:
- 3 measures of gin
- 1 measure of vodka
- ½ measure of Lillet Blanc
- Lemon peel garnish
3. Casablanca — French 75
The setting of this classic film is Rick’s Café Americain, a gin joint owned by Humphrey Bogart’s character Rick Blaine. When Blaine’s ex-girlfriend Yvonne, played by Madeliene Lebeau, shows up at the cafe with her new Nazi boyfriend, he orders the French 75. This drink is named after the World War I French 75-millimeter artillery gun and is said to carry the same kick.
For a French 75, you’ll need:
- ½ ounce of lemon juice
- 1 ounce of gin
- ½ ounce of orange liqueur
- 3 ounces of champagne
- Lemon peel garnish
4. Mad Men — Old Fashioned
Although not a movie, the “Mad Men” television show singlehandedly brought the Old Fashioned back from the brink. This cocktail had largely fallen out of favor until the show’s 2007 premier and its debut as the favorite cocktail of Don Draper, the high-profile advertising executive. As one of the most classic movie-themed drinks, the Old Fashioned is here to stay.
Have these ingredients to make an Old Fashioned:
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 2 ounces of bourbon
- 3 dashes of Angostura bitters
- 1 teaspoon of water
- A twist of orange peel
5. The Blues Brothers — Orange Whip
This musical comedy from the 1980s popularized the Orange Whip, a cocktail made with rum, vodka and orange juice. After “The Blues Brothers” debuted, the drink made a resurgence.
Here are the ingredients for an Orange Whip:
- 4 ounces of fresh orange juice
- 1 ounce of vodka
- 1 ounce of white rum
- ½ ounce of triple sec
- 2 ounces of heavy cream
- Orange slice to garnish
6. The Big Lebowski — White Russian
“The Big Lebowski” became an instant cult classic upon its release in 1998, as did the White Russian. The lead character “The Dude,” played by Jeff Bridges, was nearly inseparable from this creamy cocktail made with vodka and coffee liqueur.
To make a White Russian, you’ll need:
- 1 ¼ ounce of vodka
- 1 ¼ ounce of half-and-half or milk
- 1 ¼ ounce of coffee liqueur
7. Cocktail — The Red Eye
This drink from the 1988 romantic comedy-drama is a must on any list of iconic drinks in movies. Young Tom Cruise plays Brian Flanagan, a business student who takes up flair bartending to help pay his way. In the film, the Red Eye is purported to be a hangover cure.
For a Red Eye cocktail, get these ingredients:
- 1 measure of vodka
- 6 measures of tomato juice
- 6 measures of beer
- 1 egg
8. Groundhog Day — Sweet Vermouth on the Rocks With a Twist
If you’ve watched “Groundhog Day,” you have the refrain of “Sweet vermouth, rocks with a twist” burned into your memory. Whether you end up hating it like Phil, played by Bill Murray, or love it like Rita, Andie MacDowell’s character, it’s an easy enough drink to make. Here are the ingredients:
- 3 ounces of vermouth
- Ice
- Lemon peel garnish
9. The Bonfire of the Vanities — Sidecar
In “The Bonfire of the Vanities,” Bruce Willis plays an adventurous reporter named Peter Fallow, who meets up with Arthur Ruskin, played by Alan King. King orders a Sidecar since his wife, who never let him drink, isn’t present. This drink remains popular today.
To make a Sidecar cocktail, you’ll need the following:
- 1 ½ ounces of cognac
- ¾ ounce of orange liqueur
- ¾ ounce of fresh-squeezed lemon juice
- Orange twist garnish
10. Some Like It Hot — Manhattan
This classic comedy crime film features jazz music, mobsters and Marilyn Monroe — a truly iconic combination. The movie’s signature drink is the Manhattan, a combination of whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters.
You’ll need the following to make a Manhattan cocktail:
- 2 ounces of whiskey
- 1 ounce of sweet vermouth
- 2 to 3 dashes of Angostura bitters
- Maraschino cherries for garnish
11. Zodiac — Aqua Velva
In “Zodiac,” Jake Gyllenhaal plays Robert Graysmith, a political cartoonist receiving encrypted letters from the serial killer who calls himself “the Zodiac.” Graysmith’s drink of choice is the Aqua Velva, a sugary, fruity drink named for the blue Aqua Velva aftershave popular in World War II.
Here are the ingredients for the Aqua Velva:
- 1 ¼ ounce of vodka
- 1 ¼ ounce of dry gin
- ¾ ounce of blue curaçao liqueur
- 1 ounce of lemon-lime soda
- Orange slice and maraschino cherry garnish
12. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas — Singapore Sling With Mezcal on the Side
Although “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” was a flop at the box office, it has since earned cult classic status among fans. In one scene, Johnny Depp’s character, Raoul Duke, says he’ll have “Singapore Slings with mezcal on the side.” While the drink order is bizarre and fits with the drug-induced escapades of the characters, the cocktail itself has a fascinating history starting with its invention in the early 1900s at Raffles Hotel in Singapore.
To make the Singapore Sling, you’ll need:
- ¾ ounces of gin
- ¼ ounce of Grand Marnier
- ¼ ounce of Benedictine
- ¼ ounce of cherry liqueur
- ½ ounce of lime juice
- 1 ounce of pineapple juice
- 1 dash of Angostura bitters
- 1 ounce of club soda
- Orange slice and cherry garnish
Recreate Famous Movie Cocktails at Home
These iconic movie drinks have become icons for a reason — their connection to classic movie scenes and, of course, their taste. From hosting a movie watch party with themed food and drinks to learning something new for your cocktail party guests, these famous movie drinks are sure to impress.
A successful cocktail requires quality ingredients. With Marketview Liquor, you can order all the spirits you need straight to your door. Whether you need a bottle or a case, Marketview Liquor ships to over 40 states. Browse our vast collection of spirits and buy the ingredients you need to thrill any movie and cocktail lover.