Cocktails in Television:
 1950s to 2020s

Cocktails have been quietly stealing scenes on television almost as long as television has existed. Sometimes they sit in a character's hand. Other times they're ordered by name, mixed behind the bar, used as part of a joke, woven into the plot, or become so closely associated with a character that the drink becomes part of their identity.

This timeline follows those moments—from Martinis and Scotch & Waters on early

black-and-white television to Cosmopolitans, Grasshoppers, Moscow Mules, Negronis, newly created cocktails, celebrity talk-show drinks, and today's streaming series.

 

A 1950s character ordering a Martini, a 2010 Sheldon Cooper scrolling through a cocktail app, or a modern series digging up an obscure 19th-century drink such as General Harrison's Eggnog each captures a different moment in drinking history.
 

And sometimes television doesn't just reflect cocktail culture—it changes it. A drink appears on a popular show, viewers learn its name, bartenders start hearing customers order it, and an old cocktail can suddenly find itself famous all over again.
 

So grab the remote. We're drinking our way through television history.

And yes, somebody eventually orders a Cosmopolitan. 🍸📺

For more cocktails on television, use the search bar on my Facebook Group

Cocktails in Media.

 

1952 — The Jack Benny Program
In a murder-mystery sketch, Mary Livingstone orders a Martini from her butler. When Jack questions how she can drink Martinis when her husband has

just been murdered, she reconsiders—then tells the butler to put a black olive in it.

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1954 Dragnet

S4 E8 Sergeant Joe Friday is investigating a murder at the Green Light Tavern, where a bar-robbing killer has developed a disturbing routine: order a Scotch & Water, hold up the bar, take the cash, and kill the victims.

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1958–1959 — Yancy Derringer
Yancy Derringer is set in 1868 New Orleans, during Reconstruction—just three years after the Civil War ended. Yancy is a former Confederate Army captain who returns home to New Orleans and becomes a secret agent for the city's Federal administrator.
S1 E3 — Yancy Derringer & Billie Jo James: Champagne Cocktails. In “Ticket to Natchez,” Yancy asks Billie Jo if she'd like a drink and orders two Champagne Cocktails. Billie Jo jokingly responds, “And the same for me.”

S1 E13 — Yancy Derringer & Goldy: Champagne Cocktails. In “Two of a Kind,” Yancy arrives at the club and orders Champagne Cocktails for himself and Goldy. Moments later, Romilly Vale enters and fires at Yancy—the bullet hits his Champagne Cocktail glass.

 

1961 White Horse Scotch Whisky (Commercial)

White Horse Scotch Whisky releases a stop-motion TV commercial featuring its famous white horse galloping around the world. As it travels through France, Hong Kong, Australia, Mexico, and New York City, people enjoy White Horse cocktails in bars and on balconies and patios—turning the brand’s mascot into a globe-trotting drinking companion.

1960-1968 The Andy Griffith Show
S3 E2  Andy takes his date to the nearby town of Mt. Pilot. She talks about New Orleans and orders a Sazerac.

S7 E12 Andy carries a tray of three Tom Collins.

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1964–1972 Bewitched

S1 E1 — Darrin: Old Fashioned and Highballs. After Samantha reveals that she’s a witch, a stunned Darrin wishes for a drink and one magically appears. He changes his order to an Old Fashioned and asks for a straw, which magically appears at an odd angle in the glass. In the original pilot script, however, Darrin asks for the Old Fashioned “with a cherry on top,” and a cherry magically appears instead.
 

Still trying to process the news, Darrin goes highball drinking with his friend Dave. Darrin tries to talk about Samantha being a witch while Dave dispenses marriage advice, and neither man really listens to the other. Dave finally rushes off, assuring Darrin that if he ever needs help or advice again, he should feel free to call him.

Darrin then takes his troubles to the bartender: “My wife is a witch.” The bartender’s wonderfully unsympathetic response: “Cheer up, you should see my wife.” 😂
 

Good to know: At the end of the scene sequence, Samantha suggests they drink to making their unusual marriage work—with another Old Fashioned. This time Darrin requests the cherry on top, and Samantha promises to make it without witchcraft.

 

S1 E4 — Endora: Very Dry Martini. Darrin offers Endora a cocktail during their first meeting. She requests a very dry Martini with Italian vermouth, Spanish gin and a Greek olive. When Darrin doesn't have the ingredients, Endora simply says she'll fix it herself—with a little witchcraft.

S1 E8 — Liza: Scotch, Gin & Root Beer. Teenage student reporter Liza raids Darrin’s office bar while interviewing him. Holding the Scotch and gin bottles in both hands, she glug-glugs both into an Old Fashioned glass, stops to make sure Darrin is still occupied on the phone, then sneaks in a little more before topping the concoction with a small splash of root beer. When Darrin finally asks, “What’s in that drink?” she innocently answers, “Root beer.” He follows with, “Root beer and what?” “Scotch...gin”

S1 E12 — Samantha, Louise & the gang: Martinis. Darrin suggests Martinis before dinner and everyone joins in. Louise downs hers so quickly that she immediately asks for another, prompting Larry to warn her to take it easy.

S1 E22 — Darrin: Martinis. Darrin drinks Martinis with his friend Dave while worrying about Samantha’s age. As Dave rambles on with marriage advice, Darrin tries to tell him, “I think Samantha’s older than I am.” Then, “A lot older,” and finally, “Maybe two or three hundred years older.” The two talk right over each other, neither realizing what the other is saying, before Dave leaves. Darrin later continues his quest for advice at a bar, asking bartender  Pete, "what do you do when you find out your wife is a witch—a very old witch?” Pete replies, “You do just what I done, Pal. I mean, you just gotta learn to live with it.” 😂

S1 E33 — Darrin: Martini. Upset after Endora and Samantha magically alter his appearance, Darrin drinks Martinis with his friend Dave while the two once again carry on completely different conversations without listening to each other. After Dave leaves, Darrin asks bartender Joe, “Has your wife ever tried to change your face?” Joe replies, “Twice. Once with a rolling pin and once with a seven-iron.” 😂
And the bar scene continues: a woman sits beside Darrin and orders whatever he's drinking, so Joe brings two of the same drink. She begins complimenting Darrin's face and eventually propositions him. Darrin turns her down because he's married.
Good to know: Darrin's favorite bartender apparently had an identity crisis. Actor Paul Barselou played the recurring bartender throughout the series, but depending on the episode, he was called Al, Pete, Joe, Max—or simply Bartender. 🤣

S2 E19 — Darrin: Martini. While Samantha keeps questioning Darrin about the stock market, he tries to change the subject by asking for a Martini. After answering her questions, he finally tells her she can make him that Martini.

S2 E22 — Frank: Manhattan, Tom Collins & Old Fashioned. Recently retired Frank Stephens pitches his latest business idea: cocktail vending machines for lounges. Press a button and out comes a Manhattan, Tom Collins or Old Fashioned. Endora calls the idea “a little primitive” but approves of the labor-saving concept.

S2 E29 — Endora: Bloody Mary. After Samantha and Endora suspect witchcraft debunker Osgood Rightmire might secretly be a warlock, Endora decides to test him. She concocts a fiery mixture of cayenne, red peppers, hot sauce and tomato juice, reasoning that if he can drink it, he must be a warlock. Conveniently, someone announces, “After midnight, everyone. Time for Bloody Marys.” Endora serves Rightmire her doctored version—and nearly chokes the poor man. He fails the test, proving he isn't a warlock.

S3 E8 — Darrin & Larry: Martinis. After discovering that a rival advertising agency has been using a hidden microphone to steal Darrin’s ideas, Larry becomes so paranoid that he suspects the olive in Darrin’s Martini may be bugged and examines it for a hidden microphone.

S4 E12 — Darrin: Martini. While preparing for Thanksgiving dinner, Darrin deals with Aunt Clara’s visit by making himself another Martini.

Then Aunt Clara accidentally transports everyone back to Plymouth in 1620 to see the first Thanksgiving, so in retrospect, Darrin may have been wise to make that second drink. 😂

S5 E15 — Clio: Very Dry Martini. Clio orders a very dry Martini but insists that Darrin not stir it with a spoon because the metal will spoil the taste. Instead, she tells him to stir it with his finger. Louise decides she'd like to try one too.

S5 E27 — Maurice: Very Dry Martini. Samantha’s father Maurice requests his usual elaborate Martini: Spanish gin, Italian vermouth and a Greek olive. When Darrin says they probably don’t have the ingredients, Maurice announces he’ll fix it himself—and magically produces an enormous Martini in a comically oversized glass.

Good to know: This episode, “Daddy Does His Thing,” marked Dick York’s departure from Bewitched. York collapsed while filming the episode and was taken to the hospital; the production was subsequently rewritten around the footage already shot.

S6 E14 — Darrin: Double Martini. Samantha offers Darrin a double Martini as a warning that Esmeralda is in the house. After witnessing some witchcraft, Darrin accepts—but tells her to leave out the vermouth. Soon he asks for another, then decides she'd better make a whole pitcher.

S6 E14 — Larry: Brandy Eggnog. Samantha suggests Darrin give Larry a Brandy Eggnog, but Larry says he’s already had a couple. Darrin offers to make him one “without the eggnog.” Larry replies, “Now you’re talking.”

S6 E23 — Rodney: Highball & Scotch-Gin. A young Richard Dreyfuss guest-stars as Rodney, a boy magically transformed into an adult. Enjoying his sudden grown-up privileges, Rodney drinks a highball and later mixes four ounces of Scotch with two ounces of gin—a combination that sounds like adulthood may not have been explained to him properly.

S6 E27 — Mr. Jones: Martini. Six-year-old Tabitha is entertaining imaginary guests in her playhouse and announces that Mr. Jones wants a Martini while Mrs. Jones wants ginger ale because she's a teetotaler. When Darrin asks for a taste of Mr. Jones's Martini, Tabitha objects to him drinking from her guest's glass. 😂

S7 E16 — Bloody Mary. Samantha deliberately spills a Bloody Mary on Mary the Good Fairy's costume as part of her plan to persuade Mary to resume her fairy duties.

S7 E21 — “Louise”: Extra-Dry Martini. While Samantha and Louise have magically switched appearances, Samantha—looking like Louise—orders an extra-dry Martini. Darrin immediately points out that Louise hates Martinis, forcing Samantha to explain that it's just another one of the evening's “surprises.”

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Bewitched Confirmed named cocktails include:

Old Fashioned, Martini, Dry Martini, Double Martini, Champagne Cocktail, Champagne, Heavenly Himalayan, Highball, Cocktail, Punch, Champagne Punch, Wine Punch, Eggnog, Hot Toddy, Brandy Alexander, Tom Collins, Manhattan, Whiskey Sour, Gin and Tonic, Vodka Tonic, Screwdriver, Bloody Mary, Daiquiri, Margarita, Mai Tai, Planter’s Punch, Singapore Sling, Sidecar, Grasshopper, White Russian, Black Russian, Stinger, Rusty Nail, Rob Roy, Irish Coffee, Rum and Coke, Seven and Seven, Scotch and Soda, Brandy and Soda, Vodka and Orange Juice, and Gin and Juice.

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Bewitched Fictional cocktails:

The Heavenly Himalayan

S8, E25 of Bewitched, “Samantha’s Witchcraft Blows a Fuse.”

Mr. Fong invented the Heavenly Himalayan. He served it as a new cocktail whose ingredients are deliberately kept secret. The only disclosed garnish or ingredient is a Himalayan cinnamon stick.

​Bar names in the show include:
Happy Times Bar, Joe’s Bar and Grill, the Diamond Slipper, Purple Popsicle Night Club, Elbow Room Cocktail Lounge, and Dundee’s Bar.

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1972–1983 M*A*S*H

MASH did not feature only Martinis. Martinis dominate because Hawkeye, Trapper, and later Charles repeatedly discuss, prepare, and drink them, including homemade versions from the camp still. The complete DVD collection is actually titled Martinis and Medicine. 

The series also includes or references other named cocktails, including:
Mint Juleps, Punches, Highballs, Whiskey-Based Drinks, Champagne Cocktails, and

Gin-Based Improvisations. 

1972–1978 Maude

S6 E9 “The Gay Bar.” Maude was the first TV show in history to show a gay bar. Maude drinks what appears to be vodka on the rocks.

S2 E1 Bloody Mary.

 

1977–1987 The Love Boat

There are 245 episodes. Teddy Wilson plays Isaac, the bartender. 
Explicitly named cocktails include:

Bloody Mary, Martini, Dry Martini, Vodka Martini, Champagne Cocktail, Piña Colada, Daiquiri, Strawberry Daiquiri, Margarita, Frozen Margarita, Mai Tai, Tequila Sunrise, Screwdriver, Gin and Tonic, Vodka Tonic, Rum and Coke, Whiskey Sour, Brandy Alexander, Manhattan, Old Fashioned, Sidecar, Grasshopper, White Russian, Black Russian, Harvey Wallbanger, Tom Collins, Singapore Sling, Planter’s Punch, Bloody Bull, Irish Coffee, White Wine Spritzer, Sangria, Brandy Sour, Amaretto Sour, Bay Breeze, Blue Hawaii, Sex on the Beach, Painkiller, Banana Daiquiri, and Frozen Strawberry Margarita.

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1977-1984 Three's Company
Explicitly named cocktails plus clearly identifiable mixed-drink orders include:

Brandy Alexander, Martini, Champagne Cocktail, Bloody Mary, Whiskey Sour, Brandy Sour, Daiquiri, Margarita, Tom Collins, Manhattan, Old Fashioned, Gin and Tonic, Vodka Tonic, Vodka Martini, Screwdriver, Tequila Sunrise, White Russian, Black Russian, Pink Lady, Grasshopper, Sidecar, Stinger, Rusty Nail, Rob Roy, Negroni, Mai Tai, Singapore Sling, Irish Coffee, White Wine Spritzer, Champagne Punch, Sangria, Planter’s Punch, Harvey Wallbanger, Brandy and Ginger Ale Highball, Rum and Coke, Scotch and Soda, Seven and Seven, Vodka and Cranberry, Vodka and Orange Juice, and Gin and Juice.

 

​1982–1993 Cheers
The pilot episode, “Give Me a Ring Sometime,” provides one of the clearest named drink sequences. Carla gives Diane a rapid-fire order including:

Scotch on the rocks.

Two vodka gimlets—one on the rocks and one blended.

Chivas Regal on the rocks.

Soda.

Comfort Manhattan, with the cherry held.

White wine spritzer, with a twist.

Old Bushmills Irish whiskey, decaffeinated coffee, and no sugar.

 

The other cocktails throughout Cheers’ eleven-year run include:

Bloody Mary, Black Russian, Blue Moon, Gin and Tonic, Manhattan, Martini, Perfect Martini, Negroni, Old Fashioned, Screwdriver, Tequila Sunrise, Vodka Gimlet, Vodka Martini, White Russian, Shirley Temple, Mai Tai, Daiquiri, Brandy Alexander, Champagne Cocktail, White Wine Spritzer, Irish Coffee, Tom Collins, Pink Lady, Grasshopper, Sidecar, Margarita, Singapore Sling, Rob Roy, Rusty Nail, Harvey Wallbanger, Stinger, Bloody Bull, Brandy Sour, Whiskey Sour, Amaretto Sour, Midori Sour, Vodka Sunrise, Kangaroo—a Vodka Martini variation, Comfort Manhattan—a Manhattan made with Southern Comfort, and Screaming Viking—a fictional drink invented for the show.

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1983 Archie Bunker's PlaceS4 E16 Archie balks when a female bartender applies, believing bartending is a man’s job. She quickly sets him straight: ten years behind the bar, 200+ drinks memorized, sports knowledge, jokes, listening skills, and plenty of experience throwing out drunks. Then she proves it by making a Sidecar and a Grasshopper.

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1985-1992 The Golden Girls

S4 E4 — Rose & Sophia: Gin & Tonics. While traveling by train to St. Olaf, Rose wants to explore the scenery. Sophia happily joins her because she's a sucker for natural beauty—“And a gin and tonic. Let's find the bar car.”

S5 E6 — Sophia: Manhattan; Martha: Harvey Wallbanger. Sophia meets her friend Martha at a bar and orders a Manhattan, warning the bartender not to slip her any of the cheap stuff. Martha orders another Harvey Wallbanger, prompting Sophia to observe that she's been seeing quite a bit of Mr. Wallbanger that evening.

S7 E7 — Blanche: Margarita. In a New Year's Eve flashback, Blanche admits she was thrown out of the Rusty Anchor. Her defense: “Like I'm the only person who ever mixed a margarita in a sailor's mouth.” 😂

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1998- 2003 Sex and the City
HBO's Sex and the City premiered on Sunday, June 6, 1998.

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The show became forever linked with the Cosmopolitan. A Cosmo appears in the first episode, although viewers aren't told what the women are drinking.

The first spoken reference identified in my research occurs in Season 1, Episode 7, “The Monogamists,” broadcast July 19, 1998. 🍿 ROLL THE CLIP →  

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Across the show's six seasons and 94 episodes, I video-documented the Cosmopolitan being seen 27 times and mentioned by name six times.

Season 2 appears to have been especially important because characters repeatedly began saying “Cosmopolitan” rather than simply holding one. That distinction matters: millions of viewers could now put a name to the pink drink they were seeing on television.

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Other memorable cocktails included the Flirtini 🍿 ROLL THE CLIP →   
made with vodka, pineapple juice, and Champagne and served at the rooftop party in the Season 3 finale, Cock-a-Doodle-Do!, and the Staten Island Iced Tea, which helps make Charlotte's trip to Staten Island particularly memorable.

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The show didn't invent the Cosmopolitan, but it gave the cocktail something no marketing campaign could buy: four fashionable women drinking it on one of the most talked-about television shows in the world.

And just like that… a pink cocktail became a pop-culture icon. 👠🍸
View my Cosmopolitan Cocktail History Research.

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​​1999–2007 The Sopranos

Confirmed named cocktails include:

Martini, Dry Martini, Very Dry Martini, Vodka Martini, Martina, Negroni, Manhattan, Old Fashioned, Bloody Mary, Mimosa, Bellini, Champagne Cocktail, Champagne Punch, Margarita, Tequila Sunrise, Screwdriver, Gin and Tonic, Vodka Tonic, Whiskey Sour, Amaretto Sour, Brandy Alexander, Sidecar, Rusty Nail, Rob Roy, Stinger, White Russian, Black Russian, Irish Coffee, Daiquiri, Piña Colada, Mai Tai, Planter’s Punch, Rum and Coke, Seven and Seven, Scotch and Soda, Vodka and Cranberry, and Rum Punch.

 

2000–2007 | 2016–til Gilmore Girls

Miss Patty is known for making a deceptively strong punch at all the town events and almost every character on the show has a regretful story from drinking it the next day.

S2 E3 Long Island Iced Tea.

S5 E20 Gin Martini. 

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2001–2010 Scrubs

Eleven Appletinis are explicitly ordered, seen, or mentioned.
The episode list naming the recurring appletini appearances includes:
“My Kingdom,” “My Journey,” “My Tormented Mentor,” “My Hypocritical Oath,” “My Lips Are Sealed,” “My New God,” “My Transition,” “My Best Friend’s Baby’s Baby and My Baby’s Baby,” and “My Turf War.” “My Déjà vu, and My Déjà vu.”

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​2003–2006 / 2013–2019 Arrested Development

Lucille Bluth is repeatedly associated with a Vodka Martini. Jessica Walter later described the martini preparation used for her character: vodka, a large olive, and only a spray of vermouth.
Tobias is associated with Rum and Coke.

 

2003–2015 Two and a Half Men

Alan’s favorite cocktails are Appletinis and Rum & Cokes.
Other cocktails include:
Martinis, Vodka Martinis, whiskey drinks, Margaritas, Bloody Marys, Mimosas, Daiquiris, Piña Coladas, Mai Tais, Gin and Tonics, Vodka Tonics, Whiskey Sours, Manhattans, Old Fashioneds, and Screwdrivers.

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2004–2006 Deadwood

Behind the bar hangs a handwritten “Fancy Drinks” menu offering Gin Fix, Brandy Fix, Whiskey Fix, Blue Blazer, and a drink called The Judge.

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2004-2012 – Desperate Housewives

S3 E6 — Susan, Lynette & Gabrielle: Margaritas. Lynette is relaxing at home with a Margarita when Susan joins her, followed by Gaby, who arrives and immediately protests, “Cocktails? Nobody called me?” 

S4 E14 — Orson: Amaretto Sours. A drunken Orson shows up at Bree’s house with an elaborate excuse for the hit-and-run he committed. Bree dismisses his plan as a fantasy fueled by cowardice and Amaretto Sours.

S5 E19 — Gaby: Vodka Soda. At a singles club with Edie, Gaby receives a Vodka Soda from a man at the end of the bar. When Gaby uses the free drink as proof that she's hotter, Edie scoffs that it's only “a well drink.” The insult launches a one-hour competition to see who can get the most men to buy them cocktails, with each woman collecting swizzle sticks to keep score.

S5 E24 — Tom: Margaritas. After celebrating a major change in his life, Tom comes home extremely drunk and asks

S8 E11 — Gaby & Lynette: Amaretto Floats. Lynette arrives at Gaby’s house with a peace offering of bourbon and vanilla ice cream, suggesting they make Bourbon floats. Gaby wrinkles her nose at the idea but immediately improves upon it: “But an Amaretto float…” Apparently even during a friendship crisis, Gaby has standards.

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2005–2014 How I Met Your Mother

Cocktails seen or mentioned throughout the series include:
Vodka Cranberry, Martini, Scotch and Soda, Gin and Tonic, Manhattan, Margarita, Mojito, Bloody Mary, Cosmopolitan, Daiquiri, Long Island Iced Tea, Tequila Sunrise, Whiskey Sour, White Russian, Screwdriver, Rum and Coke, Champagne Cocktail, Irish Coffee, and Piña Colada.

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The show also created several drinks of its own, including:

The Thankstini—potato vodka, cranberry juice, and a bouillon cube.

Marshall's Minnesota Tidal Wave, made with coconut rum, peach schnapps, vanilla vodka, strawberry crème liqueur, cranberry juice, sugar, and maraschino cherries.
Robin orders the latter so often that MacLaren's renames it The Robin Scherbatsky.

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2005–til It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Cocktails and mixed drinks seen or mentioned throughout the series include Mojito, Margarita, Rum and Coke, Tequila Soda, Blue Hole, and Caribbean Paradise.

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S9 E3 The Gang Tries Desperately to Win an Award, the gang discovers another bar's signature Blue Hole, a blended cocktail served in a fishbowl with three straws. They respond by creating Paddy's own signature cocktail, the Caribbean Paradise.

2005-2013 — The Office

S3 E10 — Andy: Nog-A-Sake.  It's a Benihana Christmas for Andy. One part eggnog and three parts sake.

S5 E10 — Meredith: One of Everything. Michael plays bartender at the Moroccan Christmas party and makes Meredith his “One of Everything”: equal parts Scotch, absinthe, rum, gin, vermouth and triple sec, plus two packets of Splenda. Meredith loves it and immediately asks for another.

S5 E10 — Jim: Orange Vod-Juice-Ka. Michael proudly mixes vodka with orange juice and announces that he calls his invention an “Orange Vod-Juice-Ka.” Jim tells him it’s delicious and deadpans that he can’t believe nobody has thought of it before. Of course, Michael has just invented a Screwdriver.

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​2007–2015 Mad Men

​Cocktails seen or mentioned throughout Mad Men include:

Martini, Vodka Martini, Old Fashioned, Tom Collins, Blood and Sand, Champagne Cocktail, Blue Hawaii, Manhattan, Pink Squirrel, Negroni, Sidecar, Vodka Gimlet, Whiskey Sour, Bloody Mary, Gibson, Gimlet, Greyhound, Screwdriver, Moscow Mule, and Stinger.

 

S4 E8 Vodka Gimlet — Betty Draper. After Betty encounters Don with another woman following their divorce, she drinks several Vodka Gimlets.
S4 E10 Whiskey Sour Lane Pryce. Lane drinks three Whiskey Sours when he, Don, and Lane's father visit the Playboy Club.
S6 E1 Blue Hawaii —  Don Draper and his second wife, Megan, lounge on the beach at the Royal Hawaiian. She sips a Blue Hawaii served in a Hurricane glass.

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2007–til The Graham Norton Show

Celebrity guests on The Graham Norton Show are famously provided with their drink of choice on the coffee table in front of the sofa, resulting in plenty of cocktails and highballs over the years.

​S13 E11 — Amy Adams: Gin & Tonic. When Graham discusses Russell Crowe tweeting his drink order in advance, Amy says she wishes she'd done the same because she wanted a Gin & Tonic. Graham immediately orders one for her.

S14 E3 — Robert De Niro: Hendrick's Cucumber Martini. This is the one you already have. Graham asks about De Niro's drink and identifies it as a Cucumber Martini with Hendrick's—although Graham jokes that it looks more like a Gin & Tonic with cucumber.

S15 E10 — Amanda Holden: Gin & Tonic. After demonstrating a headstand, Holden jokes that if she has another Gin & Tonic, she'll do the splits. Graham responds by ordering her another. This is the June 6, 2014 episode with Mark Ruffalo, Amanda Holden, Michael Sheen and Ed Sheeran.

S18 E10 — Dame Shirley Bassey Cocktail. A special cocktail is brought out for Shirley Bassey containing Champagne, vodka, raspberries and real gold—the gold being an obvious nod to Goldfinger. 

S21 E6 — Charlie Hunnam: Gin & Tonic. Hunnam explicitly remarks that he's come away with “a gin and tonic and a sword” after being handed Excalibur during the King Arthur discussion.

S22 E12 

Will Smith — Christmas Negroni
Jenna Coleman — Christmas Negroni
Jamie Oliver — Christmas Negroni
Graham Norton — Christmas Negroni​
 

​​2007–2019 The Big Bang Theory

​In Season 1, Penny begins training as a bartender, so that pretty much sets it up.

Cocktails are Tequila Sunrise, Grasshopper, Virgin Cuba Libre, Slippery Nipple, Vodka Cranberry, and Long Island Iced Tea.

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S1 E8 — Leonard Hofstadter: Tequila Sunrise. Penny is practicing her bartending skills in her apartment and recruits the guys as customers. Leonard orders a Tequila Sunrise.

S1 E8 — Raj Koothrappali: Grasshopper. During Penny’s bartending practice, Raj gets a Grasshopper. After drinking it, he discovers that alcohol temporarily helps him overcome his inability to speak to women, making the Grasshopper especially memorable in the series.

S1 E8 — Sheldon Cooper: Virgin Cuba Libre. Sheldon orders a Cuba Libre without the rum. When Penny points out that this is essentially Coke with lime, Sheldon insists that the lime makes the difference.

S3 E3 — Howard Wolowitz: Vodka Cranberry. At a Goth nightclub, Howard orders a Vodka Cranberry because its red color fits his newly adopted Goth look.

S4 E7 — Sheldon Cooper: Rosewater Rickey. While Penny is tending bar, Sheldon uses a drink app to choose a cocktail, scrolling through Harvey Wallbanger, Sex on the Beach, Rob Roy, Silk Slipper, and Mad Hatter before finally ordering a Rosewater Rickey. Penny ignores his choice and simply serves him a shot of whiskey.  🍿 ROLL THE CLIP →  

S6 E7 — Sheldon Cooper: Long Island Iced Tea. An upset Sheldon visits Penny at The Cheesecake Factory bar, where she recommends a Long Island Iced Tea. Sheldon enjoys it enough to order another and becomes very drunk before heading off to confront Wil Wheaton.

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2008–2014 True Blood

S5 E8 — Tracy: Strawberry Daiquiri/Vodka Tonic. Tara serves her former high-school classmate Tracy a Strawberry Daiquiri at Fangtasia. Tracy insists she ordered a Vodka Tonic instead and insults Tara for making the “mistake,” leading to a particularly nasty exchange between the two former classmates.
 

2009–2010; 2023) Party Down
S3 E5 — Sloan: Dirty Gin Martini. At a prom-themed promotional event, Ron offers to have bartender Henry make Sloan a drink. Her precise order: gin Martini, dirty, one olive. Henry makes it, Sloan takes a sip and judges it “very solid.” Later she returns for another, giving Henry another little bartender performance review: “Consistent.”

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2009-2015 Community

S2 E10 — Troy: Seven and Seven. On his 21st birthday, Troy wants to order his late Uncle Carl’s favorite drink, a Seven and Seven. Jeff and Britta immediately tell him it’s a terrible choice. Troy eventually orders one, but leaves the full drink sitting on the bar while he takes his drunken friends home.

S2 E10 — Annie: Screwdriver. Using a fake ID and pretending to be “Caroline Decker from Corpus Christi,” Annie begins the evening drinking nonalcoholic drinks but eventually moves on to Screwdrivers as her invented alter ego takes over.

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2009-2020 Modern Family

S1 E20 — Mitchell & Cameron: Margaritas. At the home of Mitchell's wealthy new boss Charlie Bingham, Charlie introduces his girlfriend Jenny by bragging that she makes a hell of a Margarita and offers them one. Cameron immediately accepts.

S2 E3 — Pepper: Bellini. Pepper Saltzman is devastated when everyone cancels on one of his elaborate themed brunches. When he discovers they're out of cassis, someone tries to console him with, “I will make you a Bellini.”

S2 E18 — Mitchell & Cameron: Absinthe Margaritas. At a gathering, Mitchell tastes the drinks and asks what's in them. They're described as “a margarita with a shot of absinthe,” prompting the joke, “Absinthe makes the heart grow fonder.”

S4 E8 — Phil: Margarita. During a boys' night at Phil's house, he welcomes a new friend with spinach dip and immediately asks, “You ready for a margarita?”

S5 E13 — Phil, Claire & Haley: Basil-Infused Mojitos. At a restaurant, the server announces the evening's specialty cocktail is a Basil-Infused Mojito. Claire enthusiastically orders three.

S5 E18 — Rebarka: Dirty Martini. During the family's increasingly complicated stay in Las Vegas, hotel employee Leslie delivers a Dirty Martini to Rebarka—the hotel's canine maid. 

S6 E18 — Haley & Alex: Long Island Iced Tea. At a music festival, Haley tries to get uptight Alex to loosen up with a Long Island Iced Tea, explaining that Michelangelo freed sculptures from marble and her “chisel” is a Long Island Iced Tea.

S7 E17 — Jay: Manhattan. During a very late night out with Mitchell, Jay asks a waitress if she knows how to make a Manhattan. When she says yes, Jay immediately replies, “No, you don't,” and starts to explain how it should be made before Mitchell cuts him off. Very Jay. 😂

S7 E20 — Jay & Claire: Old Fashioneds. Jay and Claire sit down together for drinks and are served two Old Fashioneds.

S8 E10 — Jay: Frozen Margarita. On New Year's Day, Jay invites everyone to help themselves to his Christmas present: a frozen Margarita machine. Sitting in the hot tub with one, he observes, “Nothing like a frozen margarita in a hot tub. 

S9 E2 — Rhonda: Gin & Tonic. While Haley works at a country club, she delivers a Gin & Tonic to member Rhonda and jokes that she hopes Rhonda isn't driving.

S11 E2 — Mitchell: Martini. Mitchell's high-tech refrigerator, Bridget, notices he's stressed and suggests, “How about a martini before we get started on dinner?” 

S11 E6 — Mitchell: Martini. While Mitchell is upset about Cam considering an out-of-state job, Mrs. Pasternack offers him a Martini. Mitchell declines, saying he's good. Her response: “No, you're not.”

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​​2010–2015 Boardwalk Empire

​S1 E4 — Senator Walter Edge: Pimm's Cup. At Nucky's birthday party, Senator Edge orders a Pimm's Cup, only to be told that they're out of Pimm's. Edge uses the shortage to make a point to Nucky: “You can't expect to have everything.” At the end of the episode, Nucky has a case of Pimm's delivered to the senator's office with a note essentially informing him that, yes, he does expect to have everything. It's a wonderful example of a real drink actually being incorporated into the plot rather than simply sitting on a table.

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2010-2017–Pretty Little Liars

​S1 E1 — Wren: Vodka Tonic. At dinner with the Hastings family, the waiter asks for cocktail orders. Teenage Spencer jokingly says she'll have a Vodka Tonic, prompting her mother to tell her that's not funny. Wren then says he'll actually have one. When it arrives, he deliberately sets it near Spencer, who sneaks a sip while her parents aren't looking.

S1 E17 — Ashley: Martinis. While talking with Hanna at home, Ashley is already drinking and tells her she'll know more about a situation “after the second Martini.”

S2 E6 — Ashley & Tom: Extra-Dry Martinis. Ashley walks in and announces, “Martini me.” Tom knows the order immediately: extra dry with extra olives. Hanna later sarcastically refers to her parents' new relationship as their “pals who drink Martinis” act. 

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2011-2018 New Girl

S1 E7 — Schmidt: Midori Sours. During an argument about money, Nick reminds Schmidt that he once spilled an entire pitcher of Midori Sours on a handmade bedspread from Nick’s late grandmother. Schmidt insists he has already apologized, which launches an argument over whether anyone actually drinks Midori Sours. Nick asks, “Who drinks Midori Sours?” Schmidt insists everyone does, defending melon liqueur as an American classic with Asian influences.

S2 E2 — Jess: Old Fashioned. Nick makes Jess an Old Fashioned at home after she tells him she's always wanted to try one. He strangely explains that he's making it because he might do something terrible to her in the future and wants her to forgive him in advance.

S3 E13 — Bar Customer: Old Fashioned. While Cece is struggling behind the bar, a customer complains that she ordered an Old Fashioned but received gin in a mug with a peanut in it. Cece has no idea how to make one, so Schmidt jumps behind the bar and talks her through it: simple syrup, water, bitters, ice and two ounces of bourbon. His knowledge impresses everyone—including himself.

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2014–2021 NCIS: New Orleans

​S2 E23 — Dwayne Pride & Patton Plame: Sazerac. In “The Third Man,” Pride and Patton are interviewing candidates to manage Pride's bar. One candidate serves them Sazeracs, explaining that she infused the absinthe with thyme and rosemary. Patton calls it the best he's ever had, while Pride agrees it's good but reminds him that there's more to managing a bar than mixing drinks.

S3 E11 — Christopher LaSalle: Sazerac. During a celebratory scene at Pride's bar, drinks are offered on the house. When someone reaches for LaSalle's glass, he immediately objects: “That's my Sazerac.”

S3 E23 — Sazerac. A character recognizes the drink immediately—“Sazerac, right?”—and offers to buy one, adding that a particular New Orleans bar makes the best.

 

2014–til The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon

2012 — Anthony Bourdain: Negroni. On Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Bourdain demonstrates how to make a Negroni. NBC actually preserved the segment under the title How to Make a Negroni with Anthony Bourdain

2014 — Martha Stewart: Sour-Cherry Mojito. Martha Stewart teaches Jimmy how to make one of her favorite summer cocktails, a Sour-Cherry Mojito. Martha herself documented the drink afterward and specifically identified it.

2015 — Chef Michael Schlow: Snowy Negroni. On the February 27 episode, Chef Michael Schlow makes Snowy Negronis along with pasta and dessert. Guests that night included Josh Hutcherson, Abbi Jacobson, and Ilana Glazer.

2015 — Rachel Maddow: Millionaire. Rachel Maddow joins Jimmy behind the bar and makes a classic Millionaire with dark rum, lime juice, apricot brandy, and sloe gin. She admits on air that she thinks it's a terrible drink—which somehow makes the segment even better.

2015 — Justin Timberlake: The Fallon. Timberlake brings bartender Eddy Buckingham onto the show to create a tequila cocktail named The Fallon in Jimmy's honor, using jalapeño-infused Sauza 901 Tequila, maple syrup, and orange bitters. And, of course, there was another reason for the cocktail demonstration: Timberlake was there promoting Sauza 901, his own tequila brand.

2016 — Gordon Ramsay: Wake Up, You Donkey. Ramsay brings out his favorite cocktail, Wake Up, You Donkey, which was served at his Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill in Atlantic City. He describes it as tequila with cider, fresh honey, and smoked elderflower, garnished with lime. The name comes from one of Ramsay's favorite Hell's Kitchen-style insults.

2026 — Bobby Flay: Bloody Mary. Bobby Flay uses tomatoes grown by Jimmy Fallon to make a fresh Bloody Mary on the show. He adds honey as a trick to intensify the tomato flavor—and then nearly forgets the vodka.

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2015-2021 Younger

S1 E1 — Liza: Skinny Margarita. At a Brooklyn bar, Josh asks Liza what she's drinking. She answers, “Skinny Margarita. Six of ’em.” 

S1 E3 — Diana: Grey Goose Martini. While having drinks with a young man she believes is a Columbia professor, Diana gives her very Diana-like order: “Grey Goose Martini, two olives.” 

S1 E4 — Liza & Kelsey: Skinny Margaritas. Liza and Kelsey are having Skinny Margaritas when Kelsey's boyfriend Thad arrives and tries to replace their relatively civilized cocktail session with a barrage of tequila shots.

S3 E9 — Diana: Moscow Mule. Diana goes out for drinks with Dr. Richard Caldwell, the therapist from the office next door, who introduces her to the Moscow Mule. 

 

2015–2022 Better Call Saul

S2 E6 — Rich Schweikart & Kim Wexler: Moscow Mule. During lunch with Kim, Rich orders his usual Moscow Mule, calling it the best in the city and specifically praising its fresh ginger and real copper mug. Kim initially sticks with iced tea. Later in the episode, after returning to work and becoming increasingly frustrated with HHM, she goes to a bar alone and orders a Moscow Mule herself—the same drink Rich had been drinking while offering her a job.

 

2015–2017 Cocktails & Classics

S4 E5 — Whoopi Goldberg: The Habit Is Back. For Sister Act II: Back in the Habit, Michael Urie is joined by Whoopi Goldberg, Matteo Lane, Michael Musto, and Shangela. They drink The Habit Is Back, made with aged rum, lime, Angostura bitters, and ginger beer. The episode aired April 16, 2017.

S4 E6 — Drew Droege, Michael Musto & Shangela: The Versayse. For Showgirls, Michael Urie and his guests drink The Versayse, a play on a Kir Royale named for Nomi Malone's memorable pronunciation of “Versace.” It's made with crème de cassis and Champagne.

S4 E7 — Cathy Moriarty, Drew Droege, Shangela & Jessica Shaw: The Sun Also Sets. For Soapdish, the group drinks The Sun Also Sets, a Tequila Sunrise variation made with reposado tequila, fresh orange juice, and real pomegranate grenadine. Moriarty actually appeared in Soapdish.

S4 E9 — Michael Urie & guests: Devil's Pepper. For Rosemary's Baby, they drink Devil's Pepper, a rosemary variation on the Ramos Gin Fizz made with gin, rosemary syrup, lemon juice, cream, egg white, and club soda. The episode aired May 14, 2017. I haven't found a reliable surviving source naming that episode's guests, so I wouldn't guess.

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2015-2020 Schitt’s Creek

S3 E9 — Moira: Sparkling White Russian. At the RAMC conference, Moira is invited to the hotel’s Diamond Club for the special conference cocktail—a Sparkling White Russian. The warning: you have to drink it quickly before it curdles. 😂

And we have Mimosas:

S6 E9 — Alexis: Mimosa. Alexis is having a Mimosa at the café while out with the considerably older Artie. When Johnny comments on the amount of sugar in Mimosas, Alexis assures him she’s over 21.

S6 E13 — The Rose Family: Mimosas. Johnny announces that breakfast is served; when nobody sees any food, he reveals that breakfast is Mimosas because they’re celebrating.

 

2015–2022 — Grace and Frankie

S1 E6 — Grace & Frankie: Dry Vodka Martinis. At a restaurant, Grace orders a Dry Vodka Martini with a twist, and Frankie immediately orders the same.

S2 E6 — Grace: Very Dry Vodka Martini. Grace orders a Vodka Martini, very dry, with two olives and then critiques the bartender for adding too much vermouth. When she tastes the finished drink, however, she admits he's actually a good bartender.

S2 E8 — Grace: Vodka Martini; Robert: Rye Manhattan. Their regular orders are remembered in detail: Grace's is a Vodka Martini, straight up, very dry, two olives; Robert's is a Rye Manhattan served up in a rocks glass with orange peel instead of a cherry.

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2016-2021 Insecure
S2 E7 — Tiffany: The Tiffany. At Derek’s birthday dinner, the signature cocktail named for Tiffany is described as sparkling rosé with muddled raspberries and a hint of vermouth.

S2 E7 — Derek: The Derek. The second signature cocktail is the Derek, described as their take on an Amaretto Sour. When someone asks what makes it their “take,” the answer is wonderfully underwhelming: an extra cherry.

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2017–2023 The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

S1 E1 — Midge & Imogene: Daiquiris. While Midge performs her daily ritual of measuring virtually every inch of her body, she and Imogene have a pitcher of Daiquiris sitting on the coffee table. Imogene watches Midge's obsessive measuring and concludes, “There's not enough Daiquiris in the world.” The original pilot script specifically describes the pitcher and glasses.

S2 E4 — Abe: Napoleon, Tom Collins & Gin Rickey. At the Catskills, Abe creates an “alcohol-consumption index” to mathematically prevent himself from becoming drunk. He records drink No. 1 as a Napoleon at 7:30, drink No. 2 as a Tom Collins at 8:15, and at 9:15 he's finishing a Gin Rickey—while insisting he's showing absolutely no signs of intoxication. Unfortunately, he's already having trouble pronouncing his words.

S2 E4 — Midge: Martini. Midge's drink is a Martini with olives. 
 

S4 E6 — Midge's success at the Wolford attracts an increasing number of women, and suddenly the bar is being bombarded with elaborate cocktail orders: two Gin Rickeys, three Banana Daiquiris, a Singapore Sling, a White Russian, Gin and Sin, Rum Runner, Sidecar, three Grasshoppers, Sherry Flip, three Mai Tais and six Palomas.
Management notices that booze sales have shot up because the women are ordering “crazy fruity stuff”—and they all want tiny umbrellas. The verdict: order the tiny umbrellas.
🍿 ROLL THE CLIP →  

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2017-2021 The Bold Type

S1 E7 — Jane: Vodka Soda. Jane meets Landon for a date, and her friends have apparently briefed him so thoroughly that he already knows her drink: a Vodka Soda. 

S1 E9 — Jane, Sutton & Kat: Unicorn Dreamtini. While trapped overnight in the Scarlet offices, the women drink the Unicorn Dreamtini, described as vodka-based and Scarlet magazine's official cocktail of fall. 

S1 E9 — Alex: Tequila Sunrise. Alex makes his own take on a Tequila Sunrise, which he tells Jane was his father's favorite cocktail. 

S2 E4 — Kat: Vodka Soda. At a party at a lesbian bar, Kat orders a Vodka Soda, along with a soda and lime for Adena, who doesn't drink. 

S4 E12 — Eva: Bloody Mary. While bartending at The Belle, Kat gets an order for a Bloody Mary and discovers the customer is Eva—the daughter of the man Kat helped get fired. Kat reluctantly makes the cocktail, and Eva later delivers the bartender's ultimate insult: her Bloody Mary needs work. She'll be coming back often, so Kat might want to perfect it. 

S4 E13 — Kevin: Dark ’n’ Stormy; Jane: Vodka Soda. Kat is behind the bar at The Belle when she makes a Dark ’n’ Stormy for Kevin and a Vodka Soda for Jane. 

S4 E15 — Kat: Moscow Mule. At The Belle, Kat orders a Moscow Mule for herself and a Chardonnay for her girlfriend Eva. 

S5 E1 — Mimosa. The morning begins with Mimosas, prompting the wonderfully reasonable question, “Can we start every day with a mimosa?”

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2017-2019 Big Little Lies

S1 E7 — Perry: Triple Vodka on the Rocks. At the same party, Perry orders a double vodka on the rocks, then changes his mind mid-order and makes it a triple.

2017-2019 The Deuce

S2 E1 — Candy: Myers’s & Tonic. At the 366, Frankie serves Candy a Myers’s rum and tonic with a lemon wheel, telling her it’s on the house because “celebrities drink for free.”

S2 E7 — Vincent: Negroni. Vincent makes a woman a drink after advising her never to mix soda with liquor. She likes it and asks what he calls it. Vincent says he has no idea—another customer quietly points out, “It’s a Negroni.”
 

Also Scotch on the rocks, Crown Royal & ginger ale, and several highballs.

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2018–2023 — Succession

S2 E5 — The Pierce Family: Break Bumper. The Roys are served the Pierce family’s house cocktail, the Break Bumper, made with bourbon, orange liqueur, Angostura bitters and sparkling wine. Good to know: The name “break bumper” comes from television—a short graphic or segment used to transition into or out of a commercial break. Very Succession.

S4 E2 — Roman: Vodka Tonic. At a dive bar, Roman asks, “Do you think they know how to make a vodka tonic?” before ordering one.
 

S4 E10 — Roman: Martini. In the series finale, Roman sits alone at a bar drinking a Martini—an intentional connection to Gerri, whose signature drink throughout the series is a gin Martini with an olive.

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2020  — The Queen's Gambit

S1 E1 — Alma: Gibson. Alma drinks one on the airplane and explains that she prefers the cocktail onion to an olive.

S1 E6 — Beth: Gibson. Beth initially orders a Coke at a restaurant, changes her mind, and orders a Gibson on the rocks. Later in the scene, she drinks it while a pianist performs.

S1 E2–E7 — Beth: Gibson; Gibson on the rocks. Beth repeatedly orders and drinks Gibsons throughout the series.

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2020-2026 — Ted Lasso

S3 E3 — Rebecca: White Russian. While visiting her mother’s psychic, Tish, Rebecca is offered water, tea or a cocktail and orders a White Russian. Tish tells her she’s out of Kahlúa after hosting a Big Lebowski-themed birthday party for a colleague.

S4 E4 — Greta: Gin & Tonic. Greta orders a Gin & Tonic while meeting Roy at a bar.

S4 E4 — Roy: Espresso Martini. The bartender recognizes Roy's order and correctly guesses that he wants another Espresso Martini.

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2021- Present The White Lotus

S3 E1 — Chelsea & Chloe: Martinis. Chloe asks Chelsea if she’s having a Martini, then orders another Martini so the two can drink together at the resort bar.

S3 E3 — Belinda: Old Fashioned. Belinda sips an Old Fashioned while talking with Pornchai, who drinks a beer, as the two get to know each other better.

S3 E7 — Victoria: Gin & Tonic. At Chloe’s party, Victoria orders a G&T, immediately followed by another order for a Gin & Tonic.

S3 E8 — Saxon: Piña Colada. On the family’s last night in Thailand, Saxon arranges for rum and mixers to be sent to the villa so they can make Piña Coladas. Lochlan says he has never had one, and Saxon reminds him he isn’t 21.

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2024–present — Palm Royale

The writers of Palm Royale certainly seem to have a copy of Jerry Thomas’s 1862 Bartenders Guide: How to Mix Drinks, or The Bon-Vivant’s Companion lying around the writers’ room. The groundbreaking book was the first known cocktail and bartending guide published in the United States, and the series has been having fun pulling some wonderfully obscure drinks from its pages.

Cocktails heard, ordered, or spotted so far include the Mississippi Punch, General Harrison’s Egg Nogg, Brandy Shamparelle, and Medford Rum Sour.

Throughout S1 — Douglas repeatedly drinks Mai Tais and Maxine repeatedly drinks Grasshoppers. Norma apparently favors a very dry Martini.
S1 E1 — Maxine Dellacorte-Simmons: Grasshopper. Maxine's signature cocktail is established immediately. Robert, the Palm Royale bartender, serves her a Grasshopper, and she specifically mentions the crème de cacao. The actual pilot script confirms the exchange.

S1 E3 — Mary: Mai Tai. Mary orders a Mai Tai with extra mint, orange instead of pineapple, light ice and an umbrella.

S1 E3 — Dinah: Mississippi Punch. Dinah orders a Mississippi Punch, substituting rye for bourbon and requesting extra ice.

S1 E3 — Evelyn: General Harrison's Eggnog. Evelyn wants hers with firm foam, extra nutmeg and not too much ice.

S1 E3 — Linda: Gimlet. Linda asks Robert to make her a Gimlet, adding, “Keep it simple.”

S1 E3 — Robert: Gin Rickey. Robert is drinking a Gin Rickey while Linda has her Gimlet.