My husband recently found this little gem on our bookshelf, and I just had to share. In this, the 2nd of two volumes of A Guide to Pink Elephants (published in 1957), readers will find the “200 most requested mixed drinks on alcohol resistant cards.”  Alcohol resistant?! I couldn’t help but sprinkle some water onto one of the cards to see, and yup, after a quick wipe it was as if the water had never been there at all.

Not only do these sweet little cards repell liquids, but the cocktails within are fantastic, a true blast from the past.  We’re talking drinks with names like What-Cheer Punch, Cholly Knickerbocker, Elysean Nymphs, September Morn, Paree Pousse Cafe, and much, much more. There is even a canape section, with tasty tidibits like Herring Snack and Coconut Cheese.  Oh my.

Here are a few fun (aka gross) drinks to consider:

Gin and Milk

1 1/2 oz. Gin
Cold milk

Place gin in glass. Add cold milk and serve.

       This sounds like something a 1950’s housewife would put together to hide her drinking before noon…

Hell Raiser

1 1/2 oz. Gin
3/4 oz. Scotch
1 tsp. sugar
Juice of 1 lime
1/2 egg

Shake with crushed ice and strain into cocktail glass.

       How do you add 1/2 an egg? And why would you want to mix eggs with Scotch, gin and lime?  Ugh.

Not to give Pink Elephants a bad rep, here are a few cocktails that I can’t wait to try:

Stone Fence

1 1/2 oz. Bourbon
Cider
2 ice cubes

Place ice cubes and bourbon in 8 oz. highball glass. Fill with chilled cider and serve.

Jungle Julep

2 oz. dark rum
2 oz. light rum
Dash apricot brandy
6 sprigs mint, fresh
1/2 tsp. powdered sugar

Dissolve sugar in small amount of water. Add mint. Stir with ice until glass is frosted. Add dark and light rum and apricot brandy.

Decorate with mint.

What are your favorite old-school drinks?