Classic 1950s Cocktails and the Lingerie to Match

When did cocktails become popular (and why)?

In the wake of World War II, America embraced a newfound buoyancy. Suburban living bloomed, diners hummed with chatter, and bars sprang up as whimsical escapes from the everyday. Cocktails (once stiff and formal) evolved into playful potions that mirrored the feeling of social liberation. And best of all, women finally had the freedom to sparkle. Many spent their nights enjoying jazz and clinking glasses in pastel-hued cocktail bars and lounges.

Want to step into this world, with a drink in hand and an outfit to match? Here are five cocktails that never go out of style, plus some vintage-inspired lingerie looks to help you look as iconic as you feel. 

5 Classic Cocktails from the 1950s

1. The Martini

A pristine blend of gin and vermouth, garnished with a briny olive or a cheeky twist of lemon peel, the Martini is the epitome of sleek sophistication. With its crystal-clear hue and cool, herbal bite, it envelops you in elegance – just like our Velma Lingerie and Waspie set!

Make yours

Ingredients:
2½ oz gin
½ oz dry vermouth
Lemon peel or olive

1. Chill a martini glass in the freezer.
2. Pour the gin and vermouth into a mixing glass.
3. Add ice cubes and stir for 30 seconds until well‑chilled.
4. Strain into the chilled martini glass.
5. Spear olives onto a cocktail pick and drop into the glass.
6. Alternatively, rub lemon peel around the rim and drop into the glass.
7. Serve and sip!
   

Drink me while wearing

The Velma Waspie | The Velma Bra | The Velma Thong

2. The Old Fashioned

With an Old Fashioned, expect a mix of rich amber whiskey with a spoonful of sugar and bitters, all topped off with a fragrant twist of orange peel. Warm, inviting, and slightly sweet, this golden cocktail pairs perfectly with our Gilded Gold Lorelei Dress, Thong and Robe.

Make yours

Ingredients:
2 oz rye whiskey
½ tsp sugar
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Orange peel

1. Muddle the sugar and bitters in a rocks glass.
2. Pour in the bourbon or rye whiskey.
3. Add a large ice cube.
4. Stir gently and garnish with a twist of orange peel.
5. Serve and sip!

Drink me while wearing

The Lorelei Dress | The Lorelei Robe | The Lorelei Thong

3. The Whiskey Sour

If you prefer your drinks to be not-too-sweet, a Whiskey Sour could be your favourite match. With tart lemon juice, warm bourbon, and frothy egg white, this creamy cocktail is pale yellow in appearance which perfectly complements the rich purples of our Forget-Me-Not Lingerie and Garter Belt set.

Make yours

Ingredients:
2 oz bourbon
1 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
¾ oz sugar syrup
Egg white from 1 small to medium egg
Maraschino cherry

1. Pour the bourbon, lemon juice, sugar syrup and egg white into a cocktail shaker.
2. Dry‑shake without ice for 10 to 15 seconds.
3. Add ice cubes and shake for 5 to 10 seconds.
4. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
5. Spear a maraschino cherry onto a cocktail pick and perch on the rim of the glass.
6. Serve and sip!

Drink me while wearing:

The Forget-Me-Not Garter Belt | The Forget-Me-Not Bra | The Forget-Me-Not Thong

4. The Pink Lady

The Pink Lady is a delightful blend of gin, apple brandy, grenadine, and frothy egg white. Soft pink and whimsically sweet, it will make you feel like you’re in a vintage boudoir, and is the perfect colour match to our Strawberry Shortcake Silk Corset and matching Shorts.

Make yours

Ingredients:
1½ oz gin
½ oz apple brandy (Calvados)
½ oz grenadine
½ oz lemon juice
½ egg white
Maraschino cherry or freeze dried berries

1. Chill a coupe glass in the freezer.
2. Pour the gin, apple brandy, grenadine, lemon juice and egg white into a cocktail shaker.
3. Dry‑shake without ice for 10 to 15 seconds.
4. Add ice cubes and shake for 5 to 10 seconds.
5. Strain into the chilled coupe glass over fresh ice.
6. Spear a maraschino cherry onto a cocktail pick and perch on the rim of the glass. 
   Alternatively, sprinkle with a dusting of freeze dried berries.
7. Serve and sip!

Drink me while wearing

The Strawberry Shortcake Silk Shorts | The Strawberry Shortcake Silk Corset

5. The Manhattan

A sultry mix of rye whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters, garnished with a maraschino cherry, the Manhattan has a deep ruby colour, and is smooth, bold, and a tad mysterious. Drink it while wearing our Lace Me Up Corset and jet black Marilyn Pant to channel your inner femme fatale.

Make yours

Ingredients:
2 oz rye whiskey
1 oz sweet vermouth
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Maraschino cherry
Orange peel

1. Chill a rocks glass or coupe glass in the freezer.
2. Pour the rye whiskey and sweet vermouth into a mixing glass.
3. Add ice cubes and stir for 30 seconds until well‑chilled.
4. Strain into the chilled glass.
5. Spear a maraschino cherry and some orange peel onto a cocktail pick and drop into the glass.
6. Serve and sip!

Drink me while wearing

The Lace Me Up Corset | The Marilyn Pant

There’s always time for a cocktail party

There’s something special about gathering with your besties and giggling over drinks. And a cocktail party is the perfect excuse to do just that – a moment for playful self-expression and a reminder to pause, sip, and savour life’s little luxuries.

To throw a vintage-themed cocktail party, first you’ll need to set the scene. Think velvet drapes, soft jazz, and candlelight for an atmosphere straight out of the 1950s. Put together a menu of your favourite classic cocktails and serve them in vintage glassware for the full effect.

Encourage guests to embrace the dress code – think delicate corsets and waist-cinching waspies. You could even plan a cheeky photo moment with feather boas and props to capture the night’s flirtatious fun. Just don’t forget to snap some pics and share your lingerie-cocktail pairing with us on Instagram! Follow us for all our latest updates.