Retro whisky cocktails are back.
I’m sure for some of you, they never went away. Maybe you have a soft spot for disco-era drinks. Back in the 70s and 80s, there was a sea of sugary neon concoctions that used to make bartenders wince. But there were good drinks, too. Increasingly, they have been pulled from wreckage and given new life.
Among the cocktails that are being taken seriously again are The Godfather and the Rusty Nail.
Who to thank? Good ol’ nostalgia has played its part, as usual. Bartenders love looking to the old for something new, and we love it when our warm, gooey centres tingle with reconnection. We forget the worst recipes, the hangovers and regret. We look at Pinterest and yearn for a time when you could dance without anybody filming you.
Which is why bartenders, home and pros alike, are reclaiming retro whisky cocktails and giving them the glow-up they always deserved.
Who says disco and whisky can’t mix?
The return of disco drinks
The stereotype of disco drinks is that of syrupy, lurid creations, often finished with a pineapple wedge the size of your head. The laughing stock of the cocktail world. That’s an oversimplification, but there was a lot of sugar and fluff to dig through. Get beyond it, however, and there’s a solid foundation under there.
The Godfather and Rusty Nail are two examples of genuinely clever ideas that just need the right ingredients. Namely, good whisky. The fact that a lot of bars are a little less afraid of fun helps too. You’ll find both of them have been making their way back on menus for the best part of a decade now.
If you want to order a Godfather cocktail, you can do so at All Bar One or Wetherspoons, sure. You could also head to Italian restaurant The Dover in Mayfair, which pairs Johnnie Walker Black Label and Disaronno in a neat, subtly smoky mix. The Rusty Nail has made such a comeback in recent years, it actually managed to get an appearance in the pilot of Better Call Saul. These drinks are not on the sidelines anymore.
Let’s meet our retro whisky cocktail survivors.
A classic Godfather Cocktail
The Godfather
The Godfather is a two-ingredient whisky cocktail from the 1970s: Scotch and amaretto. That’s it. A drink so simple even your uncle who still wears Brut aftershave could make it. And yes, it’s named after the film.
Made properly, the Godfather is smooth, balanced, and surprisingly sophisticated. It’s basically an Old Fashioned in flared trousers. Just don’t make it too sweet. The trick is restraint and balance. Use good Scotch and let the whisky lead, and you’ll end up with something smoky, nutty, and just the right amount of lip-smacking sweetness. Plus a hearty dose of nostalgia.
This is a cocktail you can play around with, too. Some bartenders split the base between Scotch and bourbon for a Godfather II-style twist. Others go for a smoky Scotch to contrast the sweet amaretto. If you want smoke in the mix, try Seaweed & Aeons & Maple Syrup & Toasted Oats, which brings Islay funk together with nutty, sweet Canadian corn. We’ve even seen ingredients like aquavit make an appearance for extra character.
Modern Godfather Recipe
50ml Scotch whisky. Johnnie Walker Green Label can basically do no wrong. If you ever need a top blend at the core of your cocktail, it’s a safe bet. You could also try Noble Rebel Hazelnut Harmony if you want to complement the amaretto. Monkey Shoulder remains the most popular choice and does a fine job.
15ml amaretto. Go for something more nuanced than the syrupy stuff. The pinch of sea salt in Adriatico Amaretto is perfectly pitched, making it our bottle of choice.
A dash of bitters. This is not traditional and completely optional. But it’s a great way to add complexity and flavour. Have fun here. Orange bitters are an easy win, or Bitter Bastards Cask-Aged Whisky Bitters add depth.
Stir over ice and strain into a rocks glass. Garnish with a lemon twist if you’re feeling fancy.
The perfect Rusty Nail (photo courtesy of Drambuie)
The Rusty Nail
The Rusty Nail is traditionally equal parts Scotch and Drambuie. The latter is a honeyed Scotch liqueur with a touch of herbs and spice. Honey and whisky are a match made in heaven, so it doesn’t take a genius to work out why this drink took off.
The issue? Equal parts = equal pain. It’s like drinking very boozy cough syrup, frankly. Modern versions cut the Drambuie, tweak the ratio, and create a lovely, mellow drink.
I’m using a smoky whisky here to create deeper contrasts and bring a little more character. But if you don’t like peat, then try Cutty Sark Prohibition Overproof. It’s never let me down.
Modern Rusty Nail Recipe
50ml Scotch whisky. I’ve gone for the ridiculously underrated Isle Of Skye 8 Year Old, a bargain of a dram you won’t mind mixing. Plus, you’ll notice bottles of Drambuie say “The Isle of Skye liqueur” on them, so there’s a neat synergy (although the liqueur is actually made by William Grant & Sons now).
20ml Drambuie.
Stir with ice, strain into a rocks glass, and garnish with a lemon twist.
Once again, you can add a dash of bitters to bring some bite. Some bartenders cut the Drambuie portion with another liqueur, like Becherovka, going half-and-half to introduce some extra flavours to the fold.
Frank Sinatra was a famous fan of the Rusty Nail
Your retro whisky cocktail revival checklist
1. Start simple. Two or three ingredients, tops. Then explore.
2. Dial down the sugar.
3. Use proper whisky. Your base spirit does the heavy lifting.
4. Experiment with ratios. Find what works for your palate.
5. Embrace the vibe. Throw on some ABBA, dim the lights, and pour yourself something brown and nostalgic.
Do you need all this when you can slug some Drambuie into a nice Scotch?
The Last Drop: Why retro whisky cocktails deserve respect
Sure, some disco drinks should stay buried (looking at you, Blue Lagoon). But The Godfather and Rusty Nail have come back for a reason. They’re quick to make, easy to customise, and most importantly, they’re fun.
We’ve had a couple of decades of incredible cocktails. A real golden age that featured breakthroughs and astonishing accomplishments, as well as triumphs of simplicity and appreciation. There’s also been a lot of bartenders overcomplicating cocktails. The easy throwback is something of a tonic.
Retro whisky cocktails are proof that a bit of disco-era indulgence never really hurt anyone (except maybe in the trousers department). They might have been born in the decade that taste forgot, but with a modern touch and good whisky, they’re back to remind us why simple, bold, and slightly kitschy drinks are often the most satisfying.
Just leave the glow sticks out of it.