5 Classic Cocktails & Mocktails Named After Famous Icons

August 17, 2021

Cover The Charlie Chaplin Cocktail | Photo- Vernon's Bar Official Facebook Page

What do a 15th-century Venetian painter and a silent film comic from the early 1900s have in common? Simple - they both have delicious drinks named in their honour.

In my experience, the best history lessons come straight out of a bottle, into the shaker, and poured into an artful glass. These five cocktails and mocktails are some of the world's most loved sips, easily found at pubs, clubs, and home bars throughout the planet. Keep reading to learn more about the famous names behind these delicious sips and find out how to make them yourself at home.

1. Charlie Chaplin

Comic Charlie Chaplin and co-star Paulette Goddard on the set of The Great Dictator | Photo: Charlie Chaplin Official Facebook Page

The Charlie Chaplin Cocktail | Photo- Vernon's Bar Official Facebook Page

Undoubtedly one of the world’s best-known performers, Charlie Chaplin was an English comedian and actor who was renowned for his work throughout the age of silent film. Despite his reluctance to do so, Chaplin eventually caved and ventured beyond silent film, leading him to write and star in movies like The Great Dictator - a 1940 satire about Adolf Hitler that attracted much controversy.

The cocktail named after the famed comic is quite easy to create, but you may have to do some digging to find the ingredients it requires. The Charlie Chaplin is made with sloe gin (a red gin-based liqueur made with sloes, a plum-like fruit), apricot brandy, lime juice, and ice, plus some apricot or a lime peel to garnish. Find the recipe here.

2. Shirley Temple

This sugary, effervescent mocktail is aptly named after Shirley Temple Black - a sweet, bubbly child actress who made her grand debut in the American film industry during The Great Depression. Charming and lovable, Shirley Temple won the hearts of American viewers at a time they desperately sought joy, given the economic turmoil that swept the nation. After retiring from film at just 22 years old, she chased a diplomatic career that landed her a series of successful titles.

Shirley Temple Mocktail | Photo Culinary Hill

Shirley Temple Black | Shirley Temple Official Facebook Page

As one of the most common mocktails around, the Shirley Temple is made with only three basic ingredients: plain lemon-lime soda, grenadine (a red pomegranate syrup), and maraschino cherries to garnish, plus ice. Find the recipe here.

3. Bellini

Madonna and Child by Giovanni Bellini | Photo: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Official Facebook Page

Bellini cocktails, named after Giovanni Bellini | Photo: Cookie and Kate

If you’ve got an affinity for boozy brunches, there’s a good chance you’ve enjoyed your fair share of Bellinis - but did you know that the summery cocktail is named after an Italian Renaissance painter? Born in the floating city of Venice, Giovanni Bellini is considered pivotal in defining the style of Venetian art. Although he often lived in the shadow of his brother Gentile Bellini, many argue that Giovanni is far more celebrated than Gentile today.

Though you might be able to find bottled or canned peach puree for this drink, why not make the cocktail extra refreshing and make the puree yourself? All you need is some beautiful ripe peaches and you’re all set to top it off with chilled Prosecco. Find the recipe here.

4. Arnold Palmer

The Arnold Palmer Mocktail | Photo: Oh How Civilized

Photo: Arnold Palmer Official Facebook Page

With a nickname like ‘The King’, American sports legend Arnold Palmer was certifiable golf royalty. In 1954, Palmer came victorious in the US Amateur Championship, launching what would be a decorated career lasting over six decades. Before his final appearance in the 2004 Masters Tournament, he took home several golds in the league, as well as the US Open, Cherry HillsCountry Club (Denver), and the British Open, as well as three silvers in the PGA Championship.

As legend has it, the Arnold Palmer mocktail was born in the 1960s when the golfer ordered a part-lemonade, part-iced tea beverage and an eavesdropping woman followed suit, asking for “that Arnold Palmer drink”. Since then, the beverage has found its way to restaurants and country clubs all over the globe, inciting repeat orders of the sweet-sour refresher. Find the recipe here.

Tatler Tip: for a boozy variant of the Almond Palmer, try the John Daly: the lemonade-iced tea concoction liquored up with a splash of vodka named after a fellow famous golfer. Find that recipe here.

5. Mary Pickford

Gladys Marie Smith was another film starlet who got her start in the days of silent movies. Better known as Mary Pickford, her professional moniker, Gladys grew to be one of the highest-paid actresses, starring in films like Coquette (1929), for which she was recognised with the second-ever Academy Award for Best Actress. She also established Pickford–Fairbanks Studios with then-husband Douglas Fairbanks; the United Artists production company with Fairbanks and industry colleagues DW Griffith and Charlie Chaplin; and notably, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Gladys Marie Smith, better known as Mary Pickford | Photo: Mary Pickford Official Facebook Page

The Mary Pickford Cocktail | Photo: Mike Garten \ Good Housekeeping

Much like the accomplished actor-producer it’s named after, the Mary Pickford cocktail is endlessly and effortlessly classic. The concoction mixes white rum, pineapple, juice, maraschino liqueur, and grenadine, and is topped with a maraschino cherry - a delicious, drinkable tropical blend. Find the recipe here.