Do they still sell the iconic Cisco liquor?

Close your eyes and picture this – it‘s 1979, and you‘ve just arrived at a groovy house party. People are mingling around, and there‘s upbeat music playing in the background. In almost everyone‘s hand is a brightly-colored can or bottle labelled "Cisco" – the drink of choice for the night. The vibe is chill, the drinks are flowing, and the night is still young. For many, this was the quintessential party scene of the 1970s and 80s. And Cisco liquor was right at the center of it.

But today, you won‘t find Cisco on liquor store shelves or at parties. So what exactly happened to this iconic brew that seemed to disappear from the beverage world? Let‘s take a nostalgic trip down memory lane and explore the craze, controversy and curious disappearance of Cisco liquor.

Cisco Takes the Beverage World By Storm

Cisco, a flavored malt beverage, first splashed onto the scene in the late 1950s under California‘s David Sherman Corporation. It was produced just like beer, but with a twist – delicious fruit flavors were added like raspberry, peach, lemon-lime, and orange.

This gave Cisco a sweet, smooth taste compared to traditional beers at the time. And the fun, vibrant packaging featuring Cisco the Hobo made it appealing to youthful drinkers looking for something new and different.

By the 1970s, Cisco had become the drink at parties and social gatherings:

• Over 1 million cases were sold across the United States in its peak years.

• It commanded nearly 30% market share of the entire flavored malt beverage category.

• Over 15 different fruit flavors were available under the Cisco brand name. The most popular was Original Cisco with its signature fruit punch flavor.

It was an instant hit with the younger crowds. The refreshing, fruity flavors mixed easily with juices or liquor. And at just $2-$3 per 6-pack, Cisco was affordable enough to become a party must-have.

"We‘d guzzle Cisco right out of the punch bowl at high school parties," recalled one nostalgic fan. "The fruit flavors tasted so good, you could drink it all night!"

A Star is Born – Cisco in Pop Culture

Beyond just parties, Cisco cemented its spot in pop culture as the groovy drink of the 70s and 80s. With its laidback, non-conformist image, Cisco was a perfect fit for the anti-establishment music and entertainment scenes.

References to Cisco appeared in numerous songs, like:

• "Viva Las Vegas" – Elvis Presley sang of a "Cisco Kid" watching gambling late into the night.

• "Bloody Mary Morning" – In this Willie Nelson tune, Cisco acted as the hangover cure after a night of heavy drinking.

• "Hang On Sloopy" – The classic rock hit by The McCoys highlighted a "Sloopy" drinking her favorite Cisco wine.

Beyond music, Cisco also made cameos in cult classic movies like Cheech and Chong‘s Up in Smoke, cementing its status as the drink-of-choice for carefree partying.

A 1970s magazine ad featuring Cisco‘s signature fruit-flavored formula

With its popularity and laid-back image, Cisco became a ubiquitous symbol of hippie and surfer cultures of the era. Sipping Cisco was a right of passage for many rebellious teens and young adults.

But little did they know, the party would soon come crashing to an end.

Trouble Brewing – Critics Call Out Cisco

While it had its dedicated fans, Cisco also garnered criticism from those concerned about alcohol abuse and underage drinking. Parents groups and activists accused Cisco‘s marketing of being irresponsible and targeting youth:

• The sweet, fruity flavors appealed especially to those new to drinking.

• The funky packaging and "cool" branding also hooked underage drinkers.

• At just $2-$3 per 6-pack, Cisco was affordable and accessible to teens.

Critics also blasted the alcohol content, ranging from 5% to nearly 12% ABV across Cisco products. This allowed Cisco to deliver a serious buzz at a low cost.

Groups like the Center for Science in the Public Interest petitioned for Cisco to be banned. They argued its business practices promoted binge drinking and alcoholism among America‘s youth.

And eventually, the critics would get their way.

Last Call – The Disappearance of Cisco

By the early 1990s, a storm was brewing around flavored malt beverages like Cisco. With growing concern over underage and binge drinking, new regulations were being proposed to crack down on products that seemingly targeted youth.

In 1993, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms notified Cisco that it "could no longer be labeled or marketed as a beer." This exempted Cisco from beer‘s lower taxes, forcing prices upward.

Then in 1996, the agency imposed even harsher rules, requiring re-classification of all flavored malt beverages over 6% ABV into the liquor category.

These regulatory changes proved lethal to Cisco‘s business model. Production declined rapidly as prices increased and availability decreased under the new liquor laws.

By 1998, the David Sherman Corporation had halted all production of Cisco products. Its iconic drink disappeared from store shelves, seemingly for good.

While critics cheered the banning of what they saw as an irresponsible product, nostalgic fans mourned the loss of this cultural icon. Nonetheless, Cisco‘s reign had officially ended.

Spirit of Cisco Lives on Today

Though you can no longer purchase original Cisco, its DNA lives on through a handful of specialty drinks:

Blast by Colt 45 – This fruit-flavored malt beverage evokes Cisco‘s fruity punch profile and higher 8% ABV. It comes in flavors like strawberry, pineapple and watermelon.

Saint Archer‘s Craft Malt Beverage – Made with pale ale, this 5% ABV drink provides mild citrus notes reminiscent of Cisco‘s smoothness. It‘s lighter than the original, but offers a similar easy-drinking vibe.

DIY recipes – Homebrewers and mixologists have replicated Cisco by blending malt liquor, vodka, fruit juices, and sparkling water. These "hobo juice" concoctions try to recreate that signature Cisco magic.

So while not exactly the same, today‘s offerings hope to capture some of the nostalgia and carefree spirit once served in every can of Cisco.

Though gone, Cisco liquor still holds an unforgettable spot in American beverage history. It served as a rite-of-passage drink for generations, cementing its place in the pop culture and party worlds of its era.

So next time you sip a fruity malt beverage or beach-themed cocktail, raise your glass to the king of cool drinks, Cisco. Though it‘s not sold today, its DNA lives on in tributes, recipes, and fond memories.