5 Fantastic Prohibition Style Cocktails

Knock if you know the password

December 5th marks the anniversary of the repeal of the 18th Amendment and the end of Prohibition. In the spirit of Repeal Day, let’s raise a glass with Prohibition style cocktails that’d give any Juice Joint a run for their money.

Whiskey Sour

Image / Recipe from // Brio Drink of the Week

Whiskey and Prohibition have a fascinating history that gave rise to the popularity of cocktails like the Whiskey Sour and Old Fashioned. It is simple, elegant, and a bit on the masculine side, which made it a favorite of drinkers of the time. A good whiskey sour never goes out of style, which is why this Prohibition staple cocktail is still around.

Sidecar

Image / Recipe from // The Spirits Business

The Sidecar is one of the most iconic cocktails of the Prohibition era, and is probably one of the most simple. It didn’t require any fancy ingredients that were hard to find or acquire. All it needed was Cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice. It was strong, simple, and delicious, and we can continue to sip on them today.

Gin Rickey

Image / Recipe from // Brio Drink of the Week

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s favorite cocktail, the Gin Rickey, became a very popular cocktail during Prohibition. It’s popularity most likely stemmed from bathtub gin being more readily available than other spirits. Folks loved it, despite the fact it could make you go blind. It’s where we get the phrase, “drinking yourself blind.”

White Lady

Image / Recipe from // Marleigh Riggins Miller

Another one of the bathtub gin based cocktails, the White Lady is a cousin of the Sidecar. With its elegant appearance and light taste, this was definitely a Prohibition cocktail crafted for the ladies. It was also for the big spenders, as the cocktail used egg whites to make it frothy and more upscale. Featuring gin as its main spirit, the White Lady is also referred to as the Gin Sidecar.

Sazerac

Image / Recipe from // Brio Drink of the Week

While the Sazerac predates Prohibition, the folks down in New Orleans were mixing up their classic night cap throughout the Jazz era. The Sazerac wouldn’t let Prohibition or the ban on Absinthe pull it off the cocktail menu.