2019 marks Zipps Liquors’ 58th year in business. Established in 1961, our family-owned store is as passionate about authenticity as we are about the craft beers, liquors, and wines we stock. To celebrate our birthday, we decided to kick it old school and take you with us back to the beginning. Our knowledgeable staff is ready to take you on a journey with old drinks of the days when Zipps was just starting out.

The 1960s – The Days of Flower Power 

Come with us for a groovy trip back to the days of the Fab Four, flower power, and moonwalks where we’ll partake in some far-out brews and old school cocktails. Showing you what we are about is our bag. We’re jazzed about our birthday and promise this party will be a gas. You are going to really dig it!

Brews

Many popular beers of this era were local or regional to the drinker. From Lone Star Beer in San Antonio (which would soon become part of the Miller Brewing family) to Shaefer in Brooklyn, your dad’s favorite brew was made just around the corner. 

The Hard Stuff

The ’60s liquor advertisements were dominated by bourbon. Images of the hardworking family man taking a boozy lunch or coming home after work to a stiff drink of liquor were iconic for the time. An after-dinner aperitif of Hennessy and Remy, the go-to cognacs of the day, was de rigueur for the sophisticated man (or woman)-about-town.

Cocktails

Since Mid-century bars were totally ruled by whiskey, the Old Fashioned and Manhattan were popular choices among the old school alcoholic drinks. However, whiskey sours were the ultimate party drink—especially because the sour mix was such a staple at the time. One of the most famous and often-ordered drinks of the time, the Tom Collins, was actually created to mock a man who’d been besmirching the names of hundreds of New Yorkers. This sweet-and-sour gin drink became a go-to thirst-quencher. You’ll recognize some of these old fashioned drink names:

• Martini – This classic drink is made with vermouth and either vodka or gin. A twist (of lemon), an olive, or a cocktail onion was a popular finishing garnish. 
• Black Russian – A delicious, sweeter drink, this one is made with a mixture of vodka and coffee liqueur.
• White Russian – Add cream to a Black Russian and you get….a White Russian.
• Old Fashioned – This whiskey or rye drink is made by muddling sugar with bitters before adding alcohol, then finished with a twist of citrus rind. 
• Tom Collins – This ode to a purportedly odious man is concocted of lemon juice, sugar, and gin.
• Whiskey Sour – Similar to a Tom Collins, the whiskey sour is made with whiskey instead of gin.
• Manhattan – The iconic cocktail consists of bourbon, sweet vermouth, and bitters.
• Gimlet – Originally made with fresh lime juice and vodka, this drink is usually made today with bottled lime juice. 
• Daiquiri – The classic daiquiri is basically just rum, lime juice, and simple syrup, commonly made with fruit and blended with ice.
• Bloody Mary – Your classic brunch favorite, the bloody, was also popular in the ’60s. Need we say more?

Don’t know much about vintage drinks from the ’60s? Don’t flip your wig, you won’t be a square for long. Zipps Liquors isn’t all show and no go, we know our stuff and we don’t bogart it. Shop Zipps Liquors for any spirit, beer or ingredient – to make cocktails from the past or today!