The Best 90s Cocktails to Recreate at Home Today
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90s cocktails are back, baby! And they’re bringing all the neon lights, sugar-rimmed Martini glasses, and sweet mixers with them. This was the decade of dancing under strobes, sipping fruity drinks in cargo pants and crop tops, and watching TV shows where cocktails were practically supporting characters themselves.
Now, those colourful classics are making a comeback at house parties, rooftop bars, and themed nights everywhere. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most iconic ’90s drinks, show you how to recreate them at home, suggest clever spirit swaps, and share a few pro tips that’ll level up your cocktail game. Ready to party like it’s 1999? Let’s do this!
What defined 90s cocktails?
Bold flavours. Bright colours. A whole lot of vodka. That’s the heart of the 90s sipping scene. This was the era when bartenders leaned into fruity cocktails that were fun, easy to drink, and made to please the crowd. Think electric blue hues, juicy mixers, and sweet liqueurs, served with a side of sass.
Pop culture had a major say in what was hot. When Sex and the City made the Cosmopolitan cocktail a must-have accessory, Martini glasses started flying off the shelves. The influence didn’t stop there; music videos, teen movies, and glossy magazines all helped shape a colourful wave of neon cocktails and other iconic clinkers.
The liquor cabinet of the decade was also one for the books. Vodka was king, especially SKYY Vodka. But you’d also find bottles of peach schnapps, blue curaçao, and triple sec adorning every back bar. If you’ve ever wondered how to make 90s cocktails at home, it all starts with this unforgettable mix of spirits and pop-inspired sparkle.
Most popular retro cocktails from the 90s
1. Cosmopolitan
The Cosmopolitan, a beloved cocktail from the 1970s, became a cultural icon in the 1990s thanks to the TV show Sex and the City. This classic drink, made with vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry juice, and fresh lime, is a perfect combination of sweet and tart.
“A great Cosmo should be beautifully balanced with a very subtle pink hue. Adding a little splash of extra dry vermouth to this drink is one of my favourite things to do because it just adds an herbaceous note to the back of the cocktail.” – Tris Fini (Campari Academy, UK)
Make it with: Grand Marnier
2. Sex on the Beach
Popular cocktails from the 90s do not come any more tongue-in-cheek than the Sex on the Beach sipper. The first half of the drink contains intensely fruity peach schnapps, which is combined with orange and pineapple juice to push the flavour profile into a tropical space. The second layer contains vodka shaken with tart cranberry juice and a splash of raspberry liqueur – simply delicious.
Make it with: SKYY Vodka
3. Tequila Sunrise
The classic Tequila Sunrise is arguably one of the easiest 90s cocktail recipes to shake up if you love a layered cocktail. Orange juice, tequila, and grenadine layer prettily on top of one another in a tall glass with ice, which makes it a very photogenic cocktail, that’s also super tasty. A win-win!
Make it with: Espolòn Tequila Blanco
Learn more: The Vintage Cocktail Comeback (Why Old School Cocktails are Trending)
4. Appletini
The Appletini is one of the most popular 90s drinks for good reason. Combining a simple mix of vodka, apple schnapps, orange liqueur, sugar syrup, and lemon juice, the recipe is easy to follow. It shot to fame at the same time as the Spice Girls and, just like them, became an instant hit overnight.
Make it with: Homemade Sugar Syrup
5. Amaretto Sour
As far as classic 90s sippers go, the Amaretto Sour will always remain a true icon. This nutty spin on the classic Whiskey Sour incorporates an almond-flavoured liqueur that imparts beautiful, rich notes of vanilla and a subtly bitter finish. We love serving this as an after-dinner drink with a cheese platter and plenty of dark, red fruit like plums and grapes.
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6. Long Island Iced Tea
No lineup of iconic 90s drinks would be complete without the Long Island Iced Tea. This American classic combines the big 4 of the spirit world (vodka, rum, gin, and tequila), plus Grand Marnier with a splash of cola and sugar syrup. To serve, combine all the ingredients in a highball glass with ice, give it a quick stir, and garnish with a lemon wedge. Now you’re ready for a wild ride of flavours that’ll have you dreaming of 90s summer nights and endless fun.
Make it with: Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum
7. Blue Lagoon
The Blue Lagoon is a retro fave that goes down a treat on a hot day or whenever you’re in the mood for something tall and cool. Best of all, the cocktail ingredients are easy to come by, shake up, and serve to a crowd, so it’s the ideal drink to include when you’re hosting a 90s shindig.
Read next: 17 Must-Try Cocktails with Flavoured Vodka
8. Margarita
Ah, the beloved Margarita—it’s the queen of tequila cocktails. While there are loads of variations, the lime version remains a crowd favourite. This classic drink features a tangy mix of tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur. Served over ice and rimmed with salt, it strikes the perfect balance of sweet and sour. The tequila brings the punch, while the lime juice adds a zesty kick, and the orange liqueur adds a touch of sweetness.
9. Mojito
The Mojito is a minty-cool classic that always makes a splash. The white rum’s bright citrus and vanilla flavours bounce off the fresh lime and fragrant mint. The sugar adds a touch of sweetness to temper the acidity, and club soda brings it all together with tongue-tingling vibrancy. It’s one of the best 90s party drinks to sip slowly in pretty places on sweltering days with good friends.
10. White Russian
The White Russian is a creamy, indulgent after-dinner drink that combines vodka, coffee liqueur, and heavy cream. Served over ice, it’s rich and smooth with a delightful coffee kick. Often associated with the laid-back vibes of the 90s film The Big Lebowski, this iconic cocktail is perfect for folks who enjoy a sweet, luxurious sip (robes optional).
Modern twists on 90s classics
Ready to kick things up a notch behind the retro cocktail shaker? Check out these articles to get some ideas to put your own modern spin on the classics:
Nostalgic throwbacks (aka excellent conversation starters!)
The 1990s cocktail scene was a fascinating mix of innovation, excess, and rediscovery. The decade saw bartenders experimenting with bold flavours, creative presentations, and an undeniable sense of flair.
Flair bartending was big in the 90s, with bartenders juggling bottles and mixing drinks with a dash of theater. Cocktail, the 1988 Tom Cruise movie, set the tone for the decade, and many bartenders took it as a challenge to perfect tricks like flipping shakers and bottles. The 1990s also saw the rise of bottle service, which quickly became a status symbol in high-end nightclubs. Customers would pay a premium for a whole bottle of liquor, complete with all the mixers, delivered to their table instead of simply ordering a drink at the bar.
This service was often accompanied by extravagant sparklers and a personal host, turning the cocktail scene into something more luxurious and exclusive. Some bars had week-long waiting lists for these bottle service experiences!
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90s Cocktail snacks
Here are some easy eats and snack ideas that tap into the fun, nostalgic vibe of the 90s:
- Classic nachos with melted cheese, salsa, and jalapeños.
- Pigs in a blanket.
- Mini sandwiches or sliders with a variety of fillings.
- Savoury snack mixes with cereal, pretzels, nuts, and seasonings.
- Trail mix with nuts, dried fruit, and chocolate pieces.
- Crispy chicken nuggets or tenders.
- Fresh spring rolls.
- Sweet treats like cookies with a frosting dip or fruit leather.
- Pretzels in various shapes and flavors.
- Buttered popcorn or flavoured popcorn.
- Veggie sticks with a creamy ranch dip.
- Colourful fresh fruit kebabs.
Tools & tips for making 90s cocktails at home
The best thing about 1990s drinks? They’re super easy to shake up. Most recipes call for a cocktail shaker, a blender, or just a good stir; no fancy equipment required!
Lean into the fun factor with nostalgic garnishes. We’re talking maraschino cherries, paper umbrellas, citrus wheels, and maybe even some edible glitter if you’re feeling wild. A colourful rim or a novelty straw doesn’t hurt either.
To bring these classics into the now, upgrade the base spirits. Swap a basic bottle for a smoother option like Espolòn Tequila or SKYY Vodka for a more polished pour. Whether you’re after the best 90s cocktails to wow your guests or just want a throwback moment in your kitchen, quality ingredients make all the difference.
PS! Did you know that SKYY has a range of ready-to-serve Martinis that you can simply decant from a pretty bottle to serve to the fly? It’s a game-changer when it comes to effortless hosting.
There you have it, besties! Ten classic 90s cocktails to try at home, along with some tasty snacks and a few interesting conversation starters to celebrate this epic era. Sign up for our newsletter to receive more drinkspiration, and visit the Wild Turkey and Bulldog Gin websites to learn more about using top-tier liquor in sweet cocktails from the 1990s and other captivating clinkers.
