No matter the season, the 1980s was filled with classic comedies and in winter that means films matched with 80s Christmas movie drinks. This was especially true for the holidays and at the end of the day, who doesn’t need a cocktail during the holidays? Celebrate Christmas like it’s the 80s with these three comedies and cocktails.
Christmas Vacation is a perfect example of family debauchery and craziness of the holiday season. Clark just wants to get the family together for the holidays and Ellen sees the calamity about to ensue. Between brother Eddie dumping RV sewage down the sidewalk grate to the constant one upping between the in-laws, you’re going to want a cocktail. Modeled after the Christmas dinner drinks shown, this wine cooler is a new take on the old drink:
80s Christmas Movie Drinks: Apple Cider White Grape Cooler
- 4 oz white grape (or other sweet white) wine
- 2 oz apple cider
- 2 oz white soda
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- pinch of cinnamon
- frozen grapes and a cinnamon stick to garnish
Mix the ingredients together with a handful of frozen grapes as ice and a cinnamon stick for garnish and enjoy.
Less family and more comedy is provided in this next flick, Trading Places. This movie is funny, real and relevant, even today.
A simple bet makes Christmas a disaster for two unsuspecting men, Louis and Valentine. The two men are switched into each others lives by the Duke Brothers. Hungry for revenge, Louis and Valentine scheme a way to give the brothers a fake crop report with information in regards to their biggest money maker, Frozen Concentrated OJ. Relying on the false report, the Dukes go bankrupt while Louis and Valntine make millions.
Make sure to join in the fun and enjoy this movie with some OJ, in the form of a Screwdriver of course:
80s Christmas Movie Drinks: Muddled Clementine Screwdriver with a Cherry on Top
- 2 oz vodka
- 4 oz OJ
- ½ clementine, peeled, smashed and mixed with the liquids
- cherry to garnish
Peel half of a clementine into sections and smash them. Add to the bottom of a glass and then mix in your vodka and OJ. Plop in a handful of ice and top off with a cherry. Enjoy.
And finally, as a comedy with a (somewhat moral) twist, Scrooged is a remake of the classic featuring a man that thinks only of himself and money. Visited by three ghosts, he begins to see the error of his ways and realizes he needs to change.
Frank’s go to drink is a vodka soda as vodka was very popular in the 80s. One of the most popular and delicious vodka drinks of the 80s was the cosmopolitan.
For this movie, you’ll need the booziest drink. Try this:
80s Christmas Movie Drinks: Cranberry Orange Cosmopolitan
- 2 oz vodka
- 2 oz cranberry juice
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons OJ
- slice of lime for garnish
Adding new traditions to existing holiday plans is always exciting. These 80s movies and cocktails will get you into the Christmas mood in a laughable and relaxing way.
