'Mad Men' Cocktails With A Modern Twist

A two-hour "movie" called The Doorway will kick off the sixth season of AMC's Mad Men on Sunday, April 7. Whether or not you've followed the series up to now, you've probably heard about Don Draper's propensity for liquor. So for your viewing party, it's only appropriate to prepare some elegant (and strong) cocktails.

We all know Don loves a good Old Fashioned, but we've updated some of these classic drinks to give them more of a modern twist. So sit back, relax, and drink up, Sterling Cooper Draper (Harris?) style.

Re-Fashioned

A play on the Old Fashioned, this drink draws inspiration from the orange and cherry garnish in the original.

1 1/2 ounces rye whiskey
1/2 ounces Cointreau
1/2 ounces Maraschino Liqueur
1/2 ounces simple syrup
2 dashes angostura bitters
Soda water, to top

Combine all ingredients except soda water in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into an Old Fashioned glass with 1 large cube of ice. Rim the glass with an orange peel and top off with soda water. Garnish with the orange peel.

Jack Rose

The Jack Rose, admittedly, is not a "new" cocktail, but rather a lesser-known brother of the more famous Sidecar. It's equally as tasty but with a bit more of a kick.

1 1/2 ounces Applejack
1  ounce fresh lemon or lime juice
1/2 ounce grenadine (homemade preferably)

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a martini glass or coupe and garnish with a lemon or lime wheel.

PHL Collins

Art in the Age Rhubarb Tea liquor gives this variation of a Tom Collins a refreshing zing and balances well with the sweet and sour of the syrup and lemon juice.

1 ounce gin
1 ounce Rhubarb Tea liqueur
1 ounce fresh lemon juice
1 ounce simple syrup
Soda water, to top

Combine all ingredients except soda water in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a highball or Collins glass with 2-3 cubes of ice. Top off with soda water and garnish with a lemon or orange wheel.

Sangre Maria

Ten bucks says you won't find this smoky and spicy play on the classic Bloody Mary at any country club near you. The mescal and horseradish will give you a nice kick in the pants.

2 ounces mezcal
5 ouneces tomato juice
3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
2 dashes Tabasco sauce
3 dashes celery salt
1 teaspoon  horseradish
Sprinkle of pepper
Old Bay Seasoning, celery stalk, pickle spear and green olive for garnish

Rim a highball glass with Old Bay seasoning and fill with ice. Combine all ingredients except garnish in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into the highball glass and garnish with a pickle spear, green olive and celery stalk.

Blind Russian

OK, this also isn't new, but it just fits with Don Draper so well — he spikes his milk, and here, we're replacing the usual milk (or cream) with booze. Sip carefully.

2 ounces Stolichnaya vodka (Don's favorite brand)
1 ounce coffee liqueur light cream
1 ounce Baileys Irish Cream

— Jen Kilius, The Drink Nation

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