Have you ever ordered a martini just because James Bond did? Or felt compelled to sip a cosmopolitan after watching Carrie Bradshaw swirl hers on Sex and the City? You’re not alone. Pop culture has a magical way of influencing nearly every part of our lives including the drinks we choose.
Welcome to the world of cultural cocktails, where movies, music, TV shows, and celebrities shape the way we sip. From old Hollywood glamour to viral TikTok trends, pop culture has always left its mark on cocktail culture. So, how exactly does this phenomenon happen? Let’s stir up this fascinating relationship.
When Hollywood Sparked a Cocktail Craze
It all started with the silver screen. Back in the 1930s and 40s, Hollywood stars weren’t just icons they were trendsetters. Watching Humphrey Bogart with a scotch or Marilyn Monroe toasting with a glass of bubbly made these drinks feel effortlessly cool and sophisticated.
When Audrey Hepburn famously sipped champagne in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, it wasn’t just a drink; it became a lifestyle statement. Suddenly, champagne was no longer reserved for just New Year’s Eve it became the drink of elegance.
And let’s not forget James Bond’s famous order: “Vodka martini. Shaken, not stirred.” Ever since, the martini has been linked with suave sophistication. Even today, people mimic Bond’s cocktail order to capture just a slice of his charm.
TV Shows That Made Drinks Famous
Television has long been a cocktail influencer. When a character has a signature drink, it often sparks a real-life trend.
1. Sex and the City & The Cosmopolitan
Perhaps one of the most famous examples is the rise of the cosmopolitan in the late 90s. Thanks to Carrie and her stylish friends from Sex and the City, the pink-hued cocktail became synonymous with modern femininity and city life. Bars everywhere noticed an uptick in Cosmo orders, especially among fans looking to feel a bit more “Carrie.”
2. Mad Men & The Old Fashioned
Fast forward to the 2000s, and Mad Men revived interest in classic cocktails. Watching Don Draper brood over an Old Fashioned inspired a whole generation to rediscover retro drinks and whiskey-based cocktails. Suddenly, craft cocktail bars and speakeasies were booming, bringing back bitters, muddled sugar, and bourbon.
3. The Big Lebowski & The White Russian
Who could forget The Dude from The Big Lebowski and his beloved White Russian? This quirky cocktail of vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream saw a quirky rise in popularity, especially at bowling alleys and hipster bars.
Music & Cocktails
Music, like film and TV, also has a profound impact on drinking culture. When your favorite artist drops a line about a drink, you might order it the next time you’re at the bar.
1. Rap & Cognac
For example, hip-hop artists have long referenced premium liquors. Brands like Hennessy, Courvoisier, and Cristal became embedded in rap culture, turning them into status symbols. Fans soon followed, boosting sales and making them nightclub staples.
2. Jimmy Buffett & Margaritaville
On the other hand, Jimmy Buffett made the margarita legendary with his laid-back island tune, “Margaritaville.” The tropical tequila-based drink became the poster child for beach bars and vacation vibes.
3. Modern Day Influencers
Nowadays, songs from artists like Drake, Beyoncé, or Bad Bunny can skyrocket a drink’s popularity. Mention a Moscow mule or Aperol spritz in a hit track, and suddenly, everyone’s craving one.
Social Media
Social media is today’s most powerful pop culture engine. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok don’t just showcase what we drink—they dictate it.
1. The Rise of “Instagrammable” Cocktails
A cocktail isn’t just about taste anymore; it’s about presentation. Colorful, photogenic drinks garnished with edible flowers, dramatic smoke, or glitter are made to shine on Instagram feeds. Drinks like the unicorn latte or rainbow mojitos have gone viral simply because they look good on camera.
2. TikTok’s Cocktail Boom
TikTok, with its short and snappy videos, has sparked numerous cocktail trends. From Dalgona coffee cocktails to creative twists on the negroni sbagliato (hello, “with prosecco in it”), the app is full of recipes that take off like wildfire. These videos inspire people to experiment at home or request trendy drinks at their favorite bar.
3. Influencer Culture
Bartenders, mixologists, and food influencers have become stars in their own right, often setting trends with their signature creations. One viral post can make an obscure drink the next big thing.
Celebrities & Their Branded Booze
Pop culture influence doesn’t stop at what celebrities drink on screen or stage they’re also behind the bar.
1. Celebrity Spirits
2. Limited-Edition Collabs
Collaborations between celebrities and alcohol brands are everywhere. Remember when TraFrom George Clooney’s Casamigos tequila to Ryan Reynolds’ Aviation gin or The Rock’s Teremana tequila, celebrities are launching their own alcohol brands and directly shaping what people drink. Fans flock to try the products, hoping to capture some of their favorite star’s charisma in a bottle.
vis Scott partnered with Cacti Hard Seltzer or when Post Malone dropped his Maison No. 9 Rosé? These limited releases often sell out fast, showing just how much celebrity culture drives drinking trends.
Cultural Moments & The Drinks We Choose
Sometimes, broader cultural movements influence what fills our glasses.
1. The Craft Cocktail Renaissance
The early 2010s brought a resurgence of craft cocktails, thanks to nostalgia for the roaring 20s and prohibition-era bars. This trend was fueled by shows like Boardwalk Empire and movies like The Great Gatsby, which celebrated speakeasy-style glamour. Suddenly, people were seeking out artisanal ingredients and expertly stirred classics like the Negroni or French 75.
2. Health & Wellness Culture
With health consciousness on the rise, low-ABV (alcohol by volume) and non-alcoholic cocktails also known as “mocktails” are surging. Influencers and wellness advocates are pushing kombucha cocktails, seedlip spirits, and other light alternatives that cater to mindful drinkers.
The Bottom Line
From black-and-white films to trending TikToks, pop culture has always poured influence into our glasses. Whether we’re chasing the vintage glamour of an old-fashioned, snapping pics of a colorful concoction for social media, or sipping a celebrity’s signature gin, we’re participating in a cultural ritual.
So next time you order a drink, ask yourself: is this really your go-to, or did pop culture give you a little nudge?
Whatever the case, raise your glass to the magic of storytelling, music, and media because they’ll likely continue to inspire what we drink for years to come.
