​Cocktails in Film

​I have been collecting cocktails featured in films since the 1980s. The relationship between cinema and drinking culture goes back almost to the beginning of film itself—but it took on a new glamour in the early 1930s. After all, Hollywood has always understood that a well-timed drink can be as important to a scene as a well-timed close-up.

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Around 1933, two major cultural shifts converged: the end of Prohibition and the arrival of Hollywood “talkies,” films in which audiences could finally hear actors speak. Greta Garbo, one of the biggest silent-film stars of the 1920s, had made her transition to sound in 1930. Her fans eagerly awaited the first chance to hear her voice, and the studio’s marketing campaign built anticipation with the now-famous line: “Garbo Talks!”

And what were Garbo’s first spoken words on screen? “Gimme a whiskey, ginger ale on the side.” Not exactly Shakespeare—but it may be one of the great drink orders in film history.
 

The timing mattered. During Prohibition, American women gained greater access to public drinking spaces. Previously, women were largely excluded from a bar’s main room, except in limited circumstances; more socially prominent women were often confined to separate “Ladies’ Bars.” But the rise of illegal speakeasies between 1920 and 1933 gave many women their first experience of drinking socially alongside men. When Prohibition ended and sound cinema matured, Hollywood helped transform the cocktail into an emblem of sophistication, independence, and modern life.

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Even in the silent era, drinking scenes were common—especially in Charlie Chaplin films. During Prohibition, filmmakers often avoided the issue by setting drinking scenes in countries where alcohol remained legal. A Horse’s Neck is ordered (not seen) in the 1914 film Caught in a Cabaret; a cocktail is shaken in a comical scene in the 1917 film The Idle Class; and Manhattans are consumed in the 1928 film Manhattan.
Silent films may not have had dialogue, but apparently they had excellent bar service.
 

One very short film also deserves mention. In 1898, a 30-second advertisement titled Dewar’s—It’s Scotch was projected onto a wall in New York City’s Herald Square. It is believed to be the first spirits commercial ever shown on film—proof that advertising found its way into the movies almost as quickly as someone found a reason to order another round.

Cocktails in Film from 1930 to Present

If you are looking for more cocktails, check out my Facebook group, Cocktails in Media. 

1930

Anna Christie

Greta Garbo's first words in a "talkie, "whiskey with ginger ale on the side."

1932

Cock of the Air

Martinis.

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Grand Hotel

A man wants Joan Crawford's character to order a Louisiana Flip, but she orders absinthe. The man says “Louisiana Flip” eight times. 

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1934

The Thin Man

Knickerbockers. Nick gives the bartenders advice on drink making. He says, “The important thing is the rhythm. Always have rhythm in your shaking. Now, a Manhattan you shake to foxtrot time; a Bronx, to two-step time; a dry Martini you always shake to waltz time.”

He also tells Nora, “This will make six Martinis.” Nora says to the waiter, “All right. Will you bring me five more Martinis, Leo, and line them up right here.” Rye whiskey is also mentioned.

1935

After Office Hours

Dry Martinis with one olive.

Alias Mary Dow

Martinis.

Top Hat

Buck Fizzes.

1936

Dodsworth

Martinis.

1934

My Man Godfrey

Vodka Martinis.

1937

Every Day’s a Holiday

Bellinis. This movie also introduced Mae West's famous one-liner, “You should get out of those wet clothes and into a Dry Martini.”

Make Way For Tomorrow
Old-Fashioneds.

The Awful Truth

Cary Grant's character serves eggnog from a punchbowl.

1938

Jezebel

Mint Juleps.

1939

Dark Victory

Pink Gin.

Ninotchka

Black Russian.

Remember?

Imperials.

1940

Angels over Broadway

Rob Roys.

Foreign Correspondent

Scotch & Soda.

The Philadelphia Story

Kir Royales. 

1941

Phantom Submarine

Sea Breezes.

The Man Who Came to Dinner

Mint Julep.

1942

Across the Pacific

Planter’s Punches.

Casablanca

Champagne Cocktails and French 75s.

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Now, Voyager

Old-Fashioneds.

Woman of the Year

Scotch & Soda.

1943

The Heat’s On

Martinis.

Du Barry Was a Lady

Old Fashioneds.

1944

Double Indemnity

Pimm’s Cocktail.

Laura

Vincent Price's character makes a Gin & It.

To Have and Have Not

Daiquiri.

1945

The Lost Weekend

Rusty Nail.

1946

It’s a Wonderful Life

Flaming Rum Punch and Mulled Wine.
In this unforgettable scene, George (James Stewart) confidently orders a double Bourbon from Nick, the owner/bartender, setting the stage for a classic cocktail moment. Meanwhile, with an air of celestial sophistication, Clarence the Angel (Henry Travers) initially opts for a Flaming Rum Punch. Still, he later shifts to a Mulled Wine with a generous dash of cinnamon. The charm of this cinematic gem extends beyond its time, prompting us to ponder the intriguing choice of libations in the 1650s, as revealed by the whimsical detail of Clarence's 293-year existence.
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Humoresque

Joan Crawford's character drinks a Tom Collins. She also says. “Do you like Martinis? They are an acquired taste, like Ravel.”

The Big Sleep

Scotch Mist.

1947

Dead Reckoning

Ramos Gin Fizz.

The Bishop’s Wife

Cary Grant as Dudley the Angel orders a round of Stingers while lunching with ladies from the church.

1948

The Big Clock

Stinger with green crème de menthe.

The Great Gatsby

Martinis.

1949

DOA

Bourbon Highball.

State of the Union

Katharine Hepburn's character orders a Sazerac.

1950

All About Eve

Bette Davis's character drinks a Gibson. She also says, “I admit I may have seen better days, but I am still not to be had for the price of a cocktail.”

Father of the Bride

The cocktails mentioned are Martinis, Old Fashioneds, Tom Collins, Mint Juleps, Frozen Daiquiris, Scotch, Bourbon & Waters, and Rum & Cokes.
 

Cocktail hour turns into cocktail chaos in this hilarious scene starring Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor. Before the guests arrive for his daughter Kay’s engagement announcement party, Stanley Banks confidently makes a big batch of Martinis, telling his wife, “That’s all what everybody drinks at these things, ya know, Martinis.” He fills an entire tray, ready to pass them around the moment the doorbell rings. There’s just one problem: everyone wants something else.

Soon Stanley is trapped in the kitchen juggling orders for Old Fashioneds, Tom Collinses, Mint Juleps, Bourbon & Waters, Frozen Daiquiris, and Rum & Cokes—while that beautiful tray of Martinis waits for somebody, anybody, to drink one.

It’s not only a great comedy scene; it’s a wonderful snapshot of 1950s home cocktail culture, when hosting a party could turn the man of the house into an unwilling bartender.
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Harvey

The story centers on Elwood P. Dowd (James Stewart) whose best friend is a 6 ft 3+1⁄2" tall white invisible rabbit named Harvey. And they like Martinis.
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In a Lonely Place

Stinger.

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The Snows of Kilimanjaro

Gimlets.

1953

A Blueprint for Murder

Bacardi cocktails.

Bad for Each Other

Martinis.

From Here to Eternity

Screwdrivers.

1954

Rhapsody

Elizabeth Taylor's character makes a Mimosa.

Sabrina

Walter Hampden's character makes a Martini but has trouble getting the last olive out of the jar. He finally pours his Martini into the jar and drinks from it.

1955

I’ll Cry Tomorrow

Martinis.

Guys and Dolls

Dulce de leche.

The Seven Year Itch
Gin martinis. Whiskey sours are mentioned.

The Gin Martini scene is one of the humorous cocktail scenes in film.

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1956

High Society

Stingers.

1957

Kiss Them for Me

Stingers. 

Sweet Smell of Success

Martinis.

1958

Auntie Mame

Cocktails mentioned or seen in the film include Sidecar, Martinis, Mint Juleps, and Flaming Mames, which is presented in a large, stemmed, cone-shaped metal vessel and set alight. 

In 1958, twelve-year-old Jan Handzlik made cinematic history by playing Patrick Dennis, a ten-year-old, and became the youngest actor to mix a cocktail (a Martini) on screen in the film "Auntie Mame." Two years prior, he had also been part of the Broadway play with the same title. I've met him twice. Read the video description.
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Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Hot Toddy.

1959

Beloved Infidel

Sazeracs.

North by Northwest

Gibson.

Our Man in Havana

Daiquiris.

Some Like It Hot

Sugar Kane (Marilyn Monroe)  and the band crowd into an upper berth in a train's sleeper car for an impromptu midnight party, mixing Manhattans inside a rubber hot-water bottle. The cozy gathering features the characters combining bourbon and sweet vermouth with smuggled snacks and an ice block in the sink.
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1960

The Apartment

Daiquiris, Rum Collins, Martinis and Stingers.
In this clip, Bud (Jack Lemmon) kills time in a noisy New York bar while various company executives use his apartment for their extramarital affairs. He meets Marge. They order Martinis and a Rum Collins.

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When Strangers Meet

Martinis.

1961

Bachelor in Paradise

Bob Hope's character makes Martinis.

Blue Hawaii

Mai Tais. Trays are passed at a party, and later four are ordered at a bar. 

Breakfast at Tiffany’s. 

Planter’s Punch. 

Days of Wine and Roses

Brandy Alexander.

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1962

Dr. No

Vodka Martini, shaken, not stirred.

The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone

Americano.

1963

Come Blow Your Horn

Rum & Coke.

From Russia with Love

 Martini.

Fun in Acapulco

Margaritas.

It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

Jim Backus's character is flying a plane and leaves the controls to mix an Old Fashioned.

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The Nutty Professor

Jerry Lewis plays Buddy Love and orders an Alaskan Polar Bear Heater at the bar. He has to give the bartender the ingredients: “Two shots of vodka, a little rum, some bitters, a smidgen of vinegar, a shot of vermouth, a shot of gin, a little brandy, a lemon peel, an orange peel, a cherry, and some more Scotch. Now, mix nice, then pour it into a tall glass.”

1964

Goldfinger

Martini and a Sour Mash Mint Julep.

1965

Thunderball

Bond makes a Vodka Martini with Smirnoff Blue and Cinzano dry vermouth. He also orders a Rum Collins.

1967

Casino Royale

Martinis.

You Only Live Twice

Stolichnaya Vodka Martini made with Martini & Rossi dry vermouth.

1968

Funny Girl

This is a humorous wedding proposal scene. Nick Arnstein (Omar Sharif) orders Courvoisier for himself and asks the waiter for a crème de menthe frappé for Fanny (Barbra Streisand). Nick pops the question as Fanny takes a drink of her cocktail.
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The Producers

Manhattan.

The Thomas Crown Affair

Martini.

1969

Hello, Dolly!

Barbra Streisand's character mentions a Rum Toddy.

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service

George Lazenby drinks a Martini.