The 1970s gave us disco, bell-bottoms and plenty of unforgettable drinks. Some beverages from the decade disappeared almost as quickly as they arrived, while others became classics. These drinks were part of everybody´s everyday life.
Looking back, some of them might seem a little strange or excessively sweet. But there is something comforting about the flavors people grew up with. From fizzy sodas to party punches, here are 15 drinks from the 1970s we can all remember.
1. Tab
Before Diet Coke became well-known, there was Tab. Coca-Cola introduced the diet soda in the 1960s, but it became familiar during the 1970s. Its pink can and very distinct taste made it easy to recognize.
2. Hawaiian Punch
Few drinks looked more exciting to a kid than a glass of red Hawaiian Punch. Its fruit flavor and intense color made it a popular choice. It was also very well advertised, helping make the drink a familiar part of American childhood.
3. 7UP
The lemon-lime soda was everywhere in the 1970s. People drank it on its own, but it was also added to punch bowls at parties. The soda remains popular today, although punch bowls are not as common as they were.
4. Dr Pepper
Dr Pepper was already decades old by the 1970s, but the decade brought one of its most memorable advertising campaigns. The company encouraged people to drink it at specific times of the day. Its mix of sweet and spicy flavors made it different from standard cola.
5. Fresca
The grapefruit-flavored drink was originally introduced as a low-calorie option. Fresca is still available today, and its retro reputation has actually become part of its charm.
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6. Pepsi
Pepsi presented itself as a drink for a younger generation and spent on memorable advertising. By the middle of the decade, the “Pepsi Challenge” encouraged consumers to compare Pepsi and Coke in blind taste tests.
7. Kool-Aid
For many families, Kool-Aid was a cheap and easy way to make a big pitcher of something sweet. Kids could choose from several colorful fruit flavors. Kool-Aid is still around.
8. Hi-C
Glasses of Hi-C brought plenty of sweetness to childhood lunches and snacks. The fruit drink came in several flavors and became a familiar supermarket product.
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9. Tequila Sunrise
The Tequila Sunrise became one of the decade’s most recognizable cocktails. Made with tequila, orange juice, and grenadine, the drink had layers of orange and red that looked like a sunrise.
10. Harvey Wallbanger
With a name like Harvey Wallbanger, this cocktail was difficult to forget. It was usually made with vodka, orange juice, and Galliano, a sweet Italian liqueur.
11. Grasshopper
Usually made with crème de menthe, crème de cacao, and cream, it had a bright green color and a sweet mint-chocolate flavor. It was more like dessert in a glass. That was exactly why many people loved it.
12. Piña Colada
The Piña Colada was perfect for the mood of the late 1970s. The classic combination of rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice made every glass feel like a mini vacation. It remains a vacation favorite today.
13. Tom Collins
Gin, lemon juice, sugar, and soda water created a fizzy drink that was easy to enjoy. It had been around long before the 1970s, but it remained a common choice at bars and parties.
14. Party Punch
No 1970s party seemed complete without a giant bowl of punch. Recipes varied, but fruit juice, soda, and sometimes alcohol were common ingredients. It was about making enough for everyone while keeping the bowl colorful and fun.
15. Root Beer Floats
A root beer float wasn’t complicated: root beer and a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream. As the ice cream melted, it created a creamy foam on top of the soda. Root beer floats are still served today, and one sip can feel like a trip back to the 1970s.
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Revisit the dinner table classics in 18 Foods Americans Commonly Ate for Dinner in the 1970s, see which former child actors turned their paychecks into fortunes in 13 Child Stars From the 1970s Who Actually Grew Their Wealth, and get the full picture of what was popular on grocery shelves with 27 Weird (and Delicious) Food Ads From the 1970s.
