The 1920s, also known as the Prohibition era of American history, were marked by a distinct lack of legal alcohol and the emergence of speakeasies as people sought to enjoy their favorite liquors. Alcohol during this era consisted of the most basic liquors, and most of the time, these liquors were made in basements, bathtubs, or virtually any underground operation kept secret from authorities.
The best way to enjoy liquor during this era was doctored-up drinks that featured a variety of fruits, sugars, syrups, and soda or other mixers in order to make the taste of the liquor bearable or to stretch out the last of a barrel of illicit liquor.
Our article tells you more about the cocktails that became popular during this time in addition to giving you recipes for some of the best prohibition cocktails.
Prohibition Cocktails: What You Should Know
Cocktails became increasingly popular during the Prohibition era of U.S. history due to their ability to cover up the taste of questionably made liquor and stretch out a barrel of liquor so that it lasted longer. The latter is something that was very important in an era when speakeasies may not have had the most reliable access to new batches of liquor for their customers.
In general, Prohibition cocktails will feature ingredients like citrus fruits, mint, soda water or tonic, and sugar or simple syrup to help complement the taste of the liquor used as a base. Original Prohibition cocktails tend to be more straightforward, while today’s modern era often features twists on these basic cocktails, complete with a variety of different fruit infusions, syrups, or liquor choices to totally customize the flavor profile of the drink.
Prohibition cocktails are typically considered timeless classics. This era produced some of the most popular cocktails that are still on the menus of restaurants and bars today.
What Is Prohibition Cocktail’s Flavor Profile?
Prohibition cocktails tend to have a range of flavor profiles from stronger and boozier to lighter, sweeter, and fruitier. The exact flavor profile of your Prohibition cocktail depends on the liquor you are using and the measurements of your accompanying ingredients.
Most Prohibition cocktails will feature your chosen liquor with flavors of lemon, mint, fruit, sugar, and something sparkling, like tonic or soda water. You can adjust the measurements of your favorite Prohibition cocktail recipes to suit your personal preferences.
What Is the Alcohol Content of Prohibition Cocktails?
The alcoholic content of Prohibition cocktails varies, as not every cocktail has the same amount of liquor in it. In general, you can expect your Prohibition cocktail to have an ABV of between 20 and 35 percent. Stronger alcohols and cocktails with fewer mixers will have a higher ABV than cocktails with plenty of other ingredients or a healthy portion of something like soda water.
What Goes Well With Prohibition Cocktails?
In addition to an evening spent in a secluded speakeasy and a dazzling flapper-style dress, there are plenty of things that go well with Prohibition cocktails. The exact garnishes and food complements you may want to enjoy with your cocktail depend on the type of Prohibition drink you are creating, though we can recommend a few things that generally go well with most cocktails.
Soda water can be used to add more volume to many cocktails, and it can add a refreshing zip of fizz if you are enjoying your drink on a water summer evening. Most appetizers and finger foods will complement your Prohibition cocktail, though heavier meals may need to be customized to the flavors in your exact drink. If you choose to have your Prohibition cocktail after dinner, it can pair well with a number of desserts, including pastries and light cakes.
Garnishes for Prohibition-era cocktails include mint or herb springs, lemon and lime twists, orange slices, and berries.
The Best Prohibition Cocktails
While a number of cocktails emerged and rose to popularity during the Prohibition era, some cocktails are more distinct and reminiscent of this time period than others. Below, we give you our favorite recipes for notable Prohibition cocktails.
The Bee’s Knees
- 2 ounces of gin
- .75 of an ounce of honey simple syrup
- .5 of an ounce of fresh lemon juice
Add all of your ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well until combined. Strain your drink into a chilled coupe glass or martini glass and top with a lemon twist.
There are a few variations on the bee’s knees cocktail, including the amounts of honey and lemon juice used. You can customize this recipe to your taste.
Sidecar
- 2 ounces of cognac or Armagnac
- 1 ounce of Cointreau orange liqueur
- .75 of an ounce of lemon juice
Add all of your ingredients to a cocktail shaker, add ice, and then shake well until chilled and combined. Take a chilled coupe glass or a chilled martini glass, give the glass a sugared rim, and then strain your drink into the glass. Garnish with a lemon or orange twist.
Ward Eight
- 2 ounces of rye whiskey
- .5 of an ounce of lemon juice
- .5 of an ounce of orange juice
- A splash of grenadine
Add your ingredients to a cocktail shaker and try not to add more than 2 teaspoons of grenadine. Add ice and then shake to combine. Strain your drink into a chilled coupe or martini glass and then garnish with a couple of speared cherries.
Mary Pickford
- 2 ounces of light rum
- 2 ounces of pineapple juice
- One teaspoon grenadine
Combine your ingredients into a cocktail shaker, add ice, and then shake well. Strain your drink into a chilled rocks or coupe glass and then top with a maraschino cherry.
French 75
- 2 ounces of gin
- One teaspoon of simple syrup
- .5 of an ounce of fresh lemon juice
- 4 ounces of champagne
Add your gin, simple syrup, and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker and shake with ice to chill. Once combined, strain your drink into a champagne flute and then top with your champagne. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Gin Rickey
- 2 ounces of gin
- 1 ounce of lime juice
- 4 ounces of club soda
Add your gin and lime juice to a highball glass and stir to combine. Add in ice, and then top off with club soda, giving the drink a gentle stir to make sure everything is combined. Top your drink with a lime wedge.
How to Serve a Prohibition Cocktail
Most Prohibition cocktails are made in a cocktail shaker and served in a coupe glass or a martini glass, though rocks glasses and highball glasses are used for some types of drinks. The majority of Prohibition cocktails should also be served chilled, though only some of the popular cocktails from this era are served over ice.
Tools you need to make the maximum amount of Prohibition-era cocktails include a cocktail shaker, a few different types of glasses, and a spoon with a long handle for stirring certain drinks.
Prohibition Cocktails: Drink Like It’s the 1920s
The 1920s was a time period in American history, complete with illicit liquor, hidden speakeasies, and a variety of underground cocktail mixing that paved the way for some of the most popular cocktails and drinks around today.
By drinking your favorite Prohibition-era cocktail, you can appreciate the craft that went into forming these popular drinks and the classic recipes that we are so familiar with today.
