Sugar, Neon & Mistakes: Educating Your Palate Through the Worst Cocktails Ever
In this episode, Damian takes us on a nostalgic, neon-lit journey through the "Dark Ages of Cocktails"—a period spanning from the 1970s to the early 2000s when bright colors, sweet mixers, and questionable balance ruled the bar.
You'll hear:
🍹 What made this era the "Dark Ages" — and why cocktail historians like David Wondrich and Dale DeGroff were not fans.
🍒 The rise (and fall) of drinks like the Midori Sour, Sex on the Beach, Appletini, and Tequila Sunrise.
🧊 How frozen drinks and slush machines became cocktail villains—and how they’re being redeemed today.
🔬 Why precision, balance, and proper technique matter—even for drinks served in hurricane glasses with plastic monkeys.
📚 Callouts to legends like Dale DeGroff, Audrey Saunders, Gaz Regan, and Dave Arnold (of Liquid Intelligence fame).
Damian also shares personal insights from when he first started mixing drinks during the tail end of this sugar-drenched era, and how the craft cocktail movement slowly clawed its way back to balance and brilliance.
Featured topics include:
Cocktail trends from the '70s to early 2000sSweet vs. balanced drinksHow slush machines got a bad rapCocktail reconstruction: Making the Amaretto Sour, Midori Sour, and others actually taste goodScientific cocktail batching and freezing tipsModern classics and how to respect your cocktail rootsFollow us for more cocktail history, technique, and drinks culture:
📸 Instagram: @welovecocktails
🎵 TikTok: @welovecocktailsx
📘 Facebook: WeLoveCocktailsx
📝 Subscribe, rate, and review – Let us know:
💥 What’s the worst cocktail you've ever had?
💡 Which forgotten drink deserves a comeback?
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Cocktail Academy
Introducing "The Cocktail Academy" with your host Damian Cole, a seasoned veteran of the hospitality industry. Join Damian and his expert guests on a spirited journey through the world of cocktails, spirits, and all things booze-related.
Whether you're a home cocktail enthusiast or aspiring bartender, this podcast is your go-to source for practical tips and insider knowledge, served straight up with no nonsense. From mastering classic cocktail recipes to exploring the latest trends in mixology, "The Cocktail Academy" has everything you need to shake, stir, and sip like a pro. Tune in for candid conversations, industry insights, and plenty of laughs along the way.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Where can you listen?
