Broadway’s golden age birthed more than timeless show tunes—it gave us the Floradora cocktail. This gin-based highball has stepped back into the spotlight after decades in the wings, riding the wave of craft cocktail culture and premium gin market growth of 8.19% annually. Like Florida’s Only Seltzer Cocktail Lounge channeling ’80s Miami Vice nostalgia, today’s bars are mining entertainment history for inspiration that resonates with modern drinkers.
Named after the wildly popular musical “Florodora,” which debuted in London in 1899 and conquered Broadway by 1900, the drink emerged during New York’s cocktail boom of the early 20th century. Legend traces its creation to the famous Florodora Girls—the musical’s celebrated chorus line whose after-show gatherings reportedly inspired a bartender to craft something worthy of their glamour.
The cocktail’s composition reads like sheet music—each ingredient playing its part in perfect harmony. London Dry gin provides the botanical foundation, while raspberry syrup adds sweetness that never overwhelms. Fresh lime juice cuts through with bright acidity, and ginger ale lifts the entire arrangement with effervescent spice.
This resurgence reflects more than nostalgia. The Floradora arrives at the perfect moment as gin consumption reaches 0.91 billion liters globally in 2025, driven by younger drinkers seeking premium experiences. Its vibrant pink hue photographs beautifully, its 14% ABV hits the sweet spot for sessionability, and its highball format fits today’s preference for lighter, refreshing cocktails.
Craft cocktail bars from London to New York now feature the Floradora on their classic menus, often with subtle modern twists. Some swap ginger beer for ginger ale to add bite, while others experiment with homemade raspberry syrups that intensify both flavor and color.
From Toronto’s Playbook Commons elevating sports bar dining with luxury cocktails to neighborhood establishments embracing classic recipes, venues across all segments are recognizing that sophisticated drinks attract discerning customers. The timing couldn’t be better for the Floradora’s comeback. As consumers increasingly seek mixed drinks and handcrafted cocktails, this refreshing highball offers the complexity gin lovers crave in a format that welcomes newcomers. Its balance of familiar flavors—fruit, citrus, spice—creates an accessible entry point into craft cocktail culture.
The Floradora proves that some performances deserve an encore. After more than a century, this theater-born cocktail still knows how to work a crowd, delivering both historical intrigue and genuine drinking pleasure in equal measure.
