Before Halloween became synonymous with the pumpkin spice latte or a cocktail rimmed in black sugar, it was an advertising dreamscape. These vintage Halloween drink ads reveal the golden age of spooky-season marketing, when imagination sold more than algorithms and it seems like even the undead had expense accounts.
Spirits selling spirits (and beer)
Gotta love a good pun and the Schlitz ad is coming in strong, but isn’t it interesting how these two feel so stern even with ghosts floating around. Very much giving a ‘serious drink for serious men only’.
And on other side of serious…
If you’re as curious about Miller Lite’s Big Halloween Haunt as we were, you’ll be glad to know we found out more. This LinkedIn post comes from the man who was Associate Brand Manager at the time, responsible for marketing and sales during Halloween 1990. The party sounds incredible — the musical act? None other than Alice Cooper. Oh, and here’s the TV ad for your nostalgic enjoyment.
Pumpkins and punch
Not sure about you, but the little girl in the 7up poster, mask and all, is unintentionally the scariest thing on the page. That house party though – how cosy and fun does it look?
The Champagne by the way, was actually an American Champagne, sold through Los Angeles–based Erly Industry’s Beverage Source subsidiary to Beaver Wine Co.-New Jersey Inc. The term was often borrowed to evoke French glamour and product prestige, and despite an agreement between the U.S. and France in 1936 that the term “Champagne” could only refer to sparkling wines from the Champagne region – enforcement was gradual and “American Champagne” continued to appear on labels well into the late 20th century, like this one from 1970.
Not so creepy cocktails
Btw if want us to recreate and rate vintage poster cocktails, give us a shout – we’re always on the lookout for productive ways to procrastinate.
The devil drinks Smirnoff
We’re not entirely sold on their tagline, which you can also see in the vampire gimlet poster above. There’s something decidedly sinister about the idea of drinking and not breathing — especially when you consider that methanol poisoning, sometimes associated with bootleg spirits like vodka, can lead to respiratory failure. Still, at the model looks gorgeous.
And finally, to the sublimely camp. Frighteningly fabulous -10/10, no notes.
Enjoyed this? Then you’ll love our other drinks culture pieces