1. Harvey Wallbanger
If you walked into a disco in the ’70s, there’s a good chance someone was sipping a Harvey Wallbanger. This bright, citrusy drink was basically a screwdriver with a splash of Galliano on top, giving it that golden hue and an herbal kick. It was so popular at the time that you could even find cartoons and ads featuring the drink’s mascot, a goofy-looking surfer guy. People loved how easy it was to make, and bartenders loved that it added a little flair with the floating layer of liqueur.
But like many disco-era trends, its fame fizzled out quickly. By the ’80s, the Harvey Wallbanger was mostly remembered as a kitschy relic of the decade before. These days, you’d be hard-pressed to find one on a bar menu unless it’s at a retro-themed party. Still, for those who were there, the sight of that golden Galliano bottle is enough to trigger instant nostalgia.
2. Tequila Sunrise
The Tequila Sunrise looked just as fun as it tasted. With its layers of orange juice and grenadine creating a sunrise effect in the glass, it became one of the most photographed drinks of the era. It was sweet, colorful, and easy to drink, which made it especially popular with the disco crowd.
The drink even got a boost from the Eagles’ hit song “Tequila Sunrise” in 1973, cementing its place in pop culture. While tequila cocktails eventually grew more sophisticated, this one still represents a carefree moment in time. Today, it’s more of a vacation drink than something you’d see on a Saturday night out, but it will forever be tied to the disco dance floor.
3. Grasshopper
The Grasshopper was the perfect cocktail for anyone with a sweet tooth. Made with crème de menthe, crème de cacao, and cream, it was more like a liquid dessert than a drink. Its bright green color made it stand out in a sea of neon lights and mirrored disco balls.
People loved that it felt indulgent without being too strong, making it a favorite for those who didn’t want to down shots all night. While creamy cocktails aren’t nearly as popular today, the Grasshopper remains a nostalgic reminder of when drinking could be playful and fun. Order one now, and you might feel like you’ve stepped right back into the ’70s.
4. Pink Squirrel
The Pink Squirrel was another disco-era dessert cocktail, and its name alone probably made people smile. This drink combined crème de noyaux (which gave it that rosy color), crème de cacao, and cream. Like the Grasshopper, it was rich, sweet, and a little over-the-top—perfect for the era.
Though it had been around since the 1940s, it found a second life in the disco years. By the ’80s, though, people turned away from cream-based cocktails in favor of lighter, sharper drinks. These days, the Pink Squirrel is mostly found in old cocktail books or as a novelty at retro bars.
5. Brandy Alexander
If you wanted something classy yet still fun, the Brandy Alexander was the drink of choice. This creamy cocktail mixed brandy, crème de cacao, and cream, often topped with a sprinkle of nutmeg. It was rich, smooth, and felt just a little luxurious, making it a go-to for a night out.
Celebrities even helped keep it in the spotlight. John Lennon reportedly loved the drink and once called it “milkshake.” Though it’s rarely ordered today, the Brandy Alexander will always be tied to a certain kind of glamorous night out in the disco age.
6. White Russian
The White Russian might be best remembered now thanks to The Big Lebowski, but it first had its heyday in the disco years. Combining vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream, it was smooth, sweet, and had enough caffeine to keep the party going. It looked elegant in a glass, and its simplicity made it easy to order again and again.
For many, it was the perfect after-dinner drink that seamlessly turned into a late-night cocktail. By the ’80s, it faded a bit in popularity, but fans of retro cocktails still enjoy its creamy charm. At the height of disco, though, the White Russian was as much a part of the scene as a mirrored ball.
7. Singapore Sling
The Singapore Sling might have been around since the early 1900s, but it found fresh life during the disco craze. Its fruity mix of gin, cherry brandy, and citrus juices made it sweet and approachable, while its exotic name added a sense of adventure. It was the kind of drink that made you feel like you were traveling without leaving the dance floor.
Colorful, fun, and often served with a garnish that matched its dramatic look, it fit right into the flashy disco vibe. Over time, though, bartenders grew tired of its complicated recipe, and it became harder to find. But for those who danced all night in platform shoes, the Singapore Sling was part of the soundtrack.
8. Tom Collins
The Tom Collins was a staple long before disco, but the ’70s gave it a whole new spotlight. Light and refreshing, it was made with gin, lemon juice, sugar, and club soda. It was crisp, fizzy, and less heavy than some of the cream-based concoctions of the time, which made it perfect for dancing without feeling bogged down.
Even though it wasn’t flashy, it was reliable—everyone knew what they were getting with a Tom Collins. While it never fully disappeared, its moment as a dance floor classic has faded. Still, it’s one of those drinks that instantly recalls a different era when cocktails didn’t need to be complicated.
9. Pina Colada
Nothing screamed “vacation” quite like a Piña Colada, and in the ’70s, it was everywhere. Made with rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice, it was tropical indulgence in a glass. Add in a paper umbrella, and you had a cocktail that practically begged to be photographed.
Its popularity soared thanks to Rupert Holmes’ 1979 hit “Escape (The Piña Colada Song).” Suddenly, everyone wanted to sip on one, whether they were at a beach bar or a disco in the city. Though it’s still found in resort towns, it doesn’t hold the same cultural weight it once did. Back in the disco years, though, it was a symbol of fun and escape.
10. Rum Runner
The Rum Runner was one of those drinks that embodied the anything-goes spirit of the ’70s. Originating in Florida, it blended multiple rums with fruit juices, grenadine, and banana liqueur. It was strong, sweet, and came in vibrant colors, making it irresistible to anyone looking to keep the party alive.
It quickly spread from tropical bars to discos across the country. With so many fruity layers, it was almost impossible to taste the booze, which made it a little dangerous. By the time the ’80s hit, simpler drinks took over, but the Rum Runner remains one of the most colorful relics of the disco era.
11. Blue Lagoon
If you saw a neon-blue cocktail in someone’s hand under the disco lights, it was probably a Blue Lagoon. Made with vodka, blue curaçao, and lemonade, it was as eye-catching as it was refreshing. The electric color matched the flashy outfits and glowing dance floors of the time.
While it was never the most sophisticated drink, it didn’t need to be. The Blue Lagoon was about fun, spectacle, and standing out. Today, it’s considered a kitschy throwback, but in the ’70s, it was part of the atmosphere. Just seeing one now feels like a direct flashback to the disco years.
12. Slow Comfortable Screw
With a name designed to make people laugh, the Slow Comfortable Screw was pure disco-era cheekiness. This cocktail mixed vodka, orange juice, Southern Comfort, and sloe gin. The combination made for a sweet, fruity drink that was easy to sip while joking about its playful name.
Variations popped up too, with bartenders adding Galliano or amaretto to keep the fun going. It was never about being serious—it was about letting loose and enjoying the moment. While the name might make some blush today, in the ’70s, it was just another sign that the nightlife was bold and carefree.
13. Fuzzy Navel
Near the end of the disco era, the Fuzzy Navel started showing up and quickly gained popularity. Made with peach schnapps and orange juice, it was fruity, simple, and had a name that was just as silly as the era itself. Sweet and approachable, it was especially loved by people who didn’t want strong-tasting cocktails.
Though it really took off more in the ’80s, it was already being sipped in the late ’70s disco clubs. Its easy recipe made it one of the first cocktails many people learned to make at home. These days, it’s considered a bit of a novelty, but for those who lived through disco, the Fuzzy Navel was part of the transition from one wild decade to the next.