7 Hollywood Movie-Themed Drinks For Summer Parties

Hollywood and alcohol have always had a close relationship. From the Golden Age of cinema to modern blockbusters, movie stars and directors have been closely associated with cocktail culture and nightlife. This connection between film and mixed drinks has inspired a fun subgenre of cocktails named after famous movies or actors. These themed cocktails allow us to celebrate cinema and enjoy clever drink recipes at the same time.  

Some of the most inventive movie-themed cocktails play on the titles or characters of classic films. You can sip a bubbly French 75 in honour of the World War I pilot in The Blue Max or channel James Bond with a shaken Vesper martini. Sci-fi fans can geek out over the glowing blue Alien Brain Haemorrhage shooter, while comedy lovers can laugh their way through a Tequila Mockingbird or Even Cowgirls Get the Slurs (a spicy margarita riff). Well, the list does not end here, so read on to learn how to make these cocktails easily at home:  

White Russian: The Big Lebowski  

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The Big Lebowski, a 1998 cult classic film starring Jeff Bridges, prominently features the White Russian cocktail. Bridges' character, a laid-back burnout known as "The Dude," is constantly seen drinking white Russians throughout the movie. Though the drink predates the film, The Big Lebowski sparked a resurgence in the cocktail's popularity. Its smooth, sweet flavour profile and simple recipe made it an instant hit, cementing its status as a signature drink of the era. The White Russian remains beloved today, thanks in large part to its memorable association with The Dude and this highly quotable comedy.  

White Russian Recipe 

Ingredients  

1. 50 ml coffee liqueur 
2. 25 mlVodka 
3. 25 ml of double cream 

Method  

Fill a rocks glass with ice, mix the vodka and coffee liqueur, then slowly pour over the cream so you have a white layer. Stir and enjoy!  

Vesper Martini: James Bond  

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The martini is one of the most iconic cocktails, thanks in part to James Bond. The Vesper martini, featured in the 1953 novel Casino Royale, was created specifically for the book. In the scene, Bond describes the recipe—three measures of Gordon's gin, one vodka, and half Kina Lillet—to be shaken and served with a lemon twist. 

Though the original ingredients are no longer available, the Vesper remains a sophisticated martini variation named after the double agent in the novel. The martini's classy reputation persists largely due to its presence in James Bond films and books.  

Vesper Martini Recipe 

Ingredients  

1. 40ml gin 
2. 20ml vodka 
3. 10 ml Lillet Blanc 

Method   

1. Combine all the ingredients in a mixing jar filled with cubed ice.  
2. Stir for 20 seconds or your preferred dilution.  
3. Strain into a chilled martini glass.  
4. Garnish with a large lemon twist.  

Gibson Martini: The Queen's Gambit  

The Gibson martini, long a personal favourite cocktail of mine, has seen a surge in popularity thanks to its prominence in the Netflix series The Queen's Gambit. This martini variation is made just like a traditional martini, with gin and vermouth adjusted to taste. 

The distinguishing factor is the pickled onion garnish, which replaces the typical olive or lemon twist. Though once obscure, Gibson has now become a sought-after drink thanks to its glamorous associations with the 62 million-viewer hit show. The Gibson embodies how television and film can profoundly influence cultural trends, even reviving interest in a classic yet overlooked cocktail.  

Gibson Martini Recipe 

Ingredients  

1. 60 ml London Dry Gin  
2. 10 ml of dry vermouth   
3. 1 pickled pearl onion 

Method  

1. Fill a mixing jar with cubed ice.   
2. Add the vermouth and stir for 10 seconds.  
3. Add the gin, stir for 20 seconds and strain into a chilled martini glass.  
4. Garnish with one pickled pearl onion, either spiked on a cocktail stick or spooned to the bottom of the glass.  

Cosmopolitan: Sex And The City  

Sex and the City popularised the Cosmopolitan cocktail, giving it a reputation as a drink for wealthy white women. However, The Cosmo deserves a chance from everyone, not just fans of the show. This vodka-based drink balances sweet and tart flavours from cranberry juice and lime. The Cosmo's smooth blend of citrus and sweetness makes it very drinkable. Though strongly associated with the show, the Cosmopolitan is a delicious cocktail for all to enjoy.  

Also Read: Party Tonight? Instead Of The Regular Cocktails Try These 7 Biscoff Cocktails

Cosmopolitan Recipe 

Ingredients  

1. 40 ml Vodka  
2. 20 ml Cointreau 
3. 10 ml of fresh lime juice  
4. 25 ml of cranberry juice  

Instruction  

1. Shake everything in a cocktail shaker with ice.  
2. Fine strain into an ice-cold coupe.  

Red Eye: Cocktail  

Cocktail depicts Tom Cruise as a flair bartender mentored by veteran Bryan Brown. Their flashy tricks draw crowds and tips. The film popularised flair bartending and the "red eye" cocktail—vodka and tomato juice. Though the red eye gained fame from the movie, it didn't last due to its unappealing flavour.  

Red Eye Recipe 

Ingredients  

1. 25 ml Vodka  
2. 150 ml of tomato juice  
3. 100 ml Beer  
4. 1 egg  

Method  

1. Pour the vodka and tomato juice into a chilled mug.  
2. Pour in the beer.  
3. Crack the egg into the drink and serve.  

The Little Mermaid Cocktail  

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Inspired by the recent release of the live-action Little Mermaid movie, here is an ocean-themed frozen margarita cocktail. This drink not only looks like the sea with its blue-green hue but also tastes refreshing and salty like ocean water. 

Made with tequila, blue curaçao, lime juice, and a salted rim just like a classic frozen margarita, this themed beverage is sure to transport you under the sea with Ariel and friends. Enjoy this fun, flavourful concoction while you sing along to your favourite mermaid tunes.  

The Little Mermaid Cocktail Recipe 

Ingredients   

1. 50 ml Tequila Blanco  
2. 30 l Fresh Lime Juice 
3. 25 ml of blue curacao  
4. 1 pinch of flaked sea salt  
5. 15 ml sugar syrup, optional  

Instructions  

1. Add everything to a blender (one made for ice) and fill with 1 cup of ice.  
2. Blend till smooth.  
3. Pour into an iridescent coup.  
4. Garnish with a clean mussel shell filled with mango caviar flavour pearls.  

The Godfather's Old Fashioned  

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The Godfather cocktail is a homage to the classic film. Bourbon, a sugar cube, and bitters make a contemplative sipper. Savour it on the balcony with a cigar, channeling Don Corleone's power. The bitters' spice, sweetness, and bourbon oak mix in this mob boss drink. 

It brings The Godfather's intrigue and richness to life in a glass. This smooth, complex cocktail inspires moments of strategy like the Coreleones, yet the taste provides a satisfyingly sweet escape. It's a drink for both schemers and dreamers.  

Godfather's Old-Fashioned Recipe 

Ingredients    

1. 50 ml Bourbon  
2. 1 sugar cube  
3. 3 Dashes Angostura Bitters  
4. 2 orange peels  
5. 15 ml of warm water  
6. Cubed ice  

Instructions  

1. Add your sugar cube to your rock glass. Cover the sugar cube with 3 dashes of Angostura bitter.  
2. Muddle your sugar cube to break it up and pour over the splash of warm water. Stir to dissolve the sugar.  
3. Add in one of your orange peels and fill your glass with cubed ice.  
4. Stir to get some motion going, then pour over your 50 ml of Bourbon, then continue to stir till you’ve reached your preferred dilution.  
5. To garnish, squeeze your second orange peel over the top of the cocktail, this will express the oils in the peel. Rub it around the rim and drop it into the glass.