Drinks: The fern bar, with its sweet ’70s drinks, is the new speakeasy in several U.S. cities

THE GRASSHOPPER

Menthe-Pastille, a liqueur made by a French family since 1885, has a strong, minty bite. Oleanders adds a few drops of green food coloring to the bottle to make the drink prettier. Tiki was trending until the late ’60s, when U.S. cocktail culture was born and drinks like the Rob Roy and Harvey Wallbanger became hits. The Grasshopper was like a liquid version of an after- dinner Andes Mint. This update is less sweet, a bit herbaceous, and cooling on a warm night.

RETURN OF THE FERN

Modern takes on the yuppie, Seventies-era cocktail spot

Make it at home:

· 1 oz. Giffard Menthe-

Pastille · 1 oz. Tempus Fugit

Crème de Cacao · 1 oz. half & half · 2-3 sprays Jade 1901 absinthe · 1 sprig fresh mint Overfill a coupe with ice. In a shaker, mix first three ingredients. Pour over ice. Spray absinthe. Garnish with mint.

hen bar impresario Joe

WCarroll opened Oleanders in June in Brooklyn, he didn’t want to copy the speakeasies and burger pubs that dot many urban neighborhoods. So he went back— way back—to the fern bar, a concept from the 1970s named for its whitewashed, plant- abundant aesthetic. The greenery was meant to appeal to professional women, who were joining the business world and going out as singles in unprecedented numbers. While meeting friends for happy hour, they sampled sweet cocktails and continental meals under the glow of Tiffany glass lamps. Men, of course, followed suit. Fern bars went out of style in the late ’80s, but now Carroll and restaurateurs in other cities are updating them for a crowd that’s too young to remember the first wave.

Henry Africa’s, opened in San Francisco in 1970 and closed in 2011, was one of the earliest successes. The Lemon Drop martini was invented there. In New York, T.G.I Friday’s was hot; the chain still relies on similar décor. Carroll also serves an update on lobster thermidor ($32) with a cognac cream sauce and Gruyère, plus clams casino and other classics.

TWO MORE RETRO TAKES

Honeycut Los Angeles

This downtown spot, hidden in an alley, hums after work with professionals downing some of the 22 craft cocktails on the menu. Later, they flock to a replica Saturday Night Fever dance floor that gets surprisingly crowded as the evening wears on.

The Heavy Feather

Chicago

Opened in July above a popular dive in the Logan Square neighborhood, it has parquet floors, wood paneling, and very comfy bar chairs. Try the upscale version of an Amaretto Sour, which mixes two types of whiskey with egg white and lemon.