I was thinking about a delicious cocktail called a Russian Qualude. It was a White Russian (vodka, Kahlua and half & half) and add Frangelico liqueur. I Just looked it up to see that I remembered it correctly. They say to add Bailey's Irish Cream liqueur as well. I didn't remember that.
Maybe of the elaborate cocktails being invented tasted like their name. A Girl Scout Cookie contained White Creme de Cacao, Dark Creme de Cacao, Green Creme DE Menthe and half & half. It tasted like a Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookie - yummy.
And you're right some of the elaborate OTT cocktails back then were downright disgusting. Sloe Comfortable Screw was Sloe Gin, Southern Comfort and O.J. And then a Sloe Comfortable Screw against the Wall = add Galliano. (And believe it or not add Sambuca, it was called SCS against the wall w/ a bang.) Yuck!
Many of the funky drinks being invented back then were layered shots. There was a B-52. which was Kahlua. Gran Marnier, and Baileys. And a Slippery Nipple was Sambuca with Bailey's layered on top. The layering was accomplished by turning a cocktail spoon over and pouring the liqueur over the back of it into the glass...it slowed the pour so that the liqueur would layer.
I first learned to bartend at the tail end of the "old school" classic cocktail era. I know how to make - Pink Squirrel; Pink Lady; Grasshopper; Harvey Wallbanger; Sidecar; Rob Roy, and of course exquisite martinis and Manhattans...even though I didn't drink either. When I first started drinking Bacardi Cocktail was my fav. I also enjoyed a Gimlet.
Have fun with creative cocktails.