Prohibition Era Cocktail Recipes For Home Bartenders
Prohibition-era cocktails hold a world of secrecy, glamour and innovation in mixology. To appreciate the craftsmanship of that era, we have compiled a list of cocktail recipes that you can easily mix at home. If you are a home bartender, crafting these cocktails at home is a breeze. These are perfect to be served at house parties or for some self-indulgence. So grab your shakers, ice, and favourite spirits, and let's dive into the intriguing world of Prohibition-era cocktails.
Cocktail Recipes from the Prohibition Era
1. The Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe
A timeless classic whisky cocktail that will never run out of style. The elegant blend of whisky, sugar and bitters will tease and satisfy your senses at the same! This classic cocktail is from the prohibition era and it pays a wonderful tribute to the power of simplicity in mixology. Here’s the cocktail recipe for you to try:
Ingredients
- Johnnie Walker Black Label - 60ml
- Angostura bitters - 3 dashes
- Sugar - 1 teaspoon
- Orange twist - 1
- Ice
- Water
Method
- Grab a mixing glass and 1 teaspoon of sugar followed by Angostura bitters
- Then add 1 teaspoon of water and stir the ingredients until the sugar is dissolved
- Next, fill the mixing glass with ice
- Measure and pour Johnnie Walker Black Label whisky into the mixing glass
- Stir the mixture well to combine
- Prepare a rocks glass by placing a large ice cube in it
- Using a cocktail strainer, strain it into a rocks glass over the ice
- Twist a peel of orange over the drink to express its oil and then drop it into the glass to garnish
2. Whisky Sour
A classic whisky cocktail that has truly stood the test of time. The rich and smooth texture of the egg whites beautifully blends with the robust flavours of whisky and the tangy goodness of the citrus. This Prohibition-era cocktail strikes a perfect balance of flavours that will linger on the palate. Here’s the cocktail recipe for you to try at home:
Ingredients
- Johnnie Walker Black Label - 60ml
- Lemon juice - 22.5ml
- Simple syrup - 15ml
- Egg-white - 15ml
- Angostura bitters - 1 dash
- Ice
Method
- Grab a cocktail shaker and pour Johnnie Walker Black Label, simple syrup, and freshly squeezed lemon into it
- Carefully separate the egg whites from the yolk and pour it into the cocktail shaker
- Dry shake the ingredients without adding ice
- Next, add some ice to the cocktail shaker and shake again to combine
- Strain the mixture into a coupe glass
- To garnish the cocktail, add a few drops of Angostura bitters on top of the drink
3. The Bee's Knees
"Bee's Knees," is slang from the bygone era, meaning outstanding or best. This prohibition-era cocktail is a delightful blend of gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup. It creates a well-balanced and refreshing drink that remains popular today. Here’s the cocktail recipe for you to try this at home:
Ingredients
- Tanqueray Gin - 60ml
- Lime juice - 22.5ml
- Honey syrup - 22.5ml
- Lemon twist - 1
- Ice
Method
- Grab a cocktail shaker and fill it with ice
- Next, measure and pour Tanqueray gin, freshly squeezed lime juice, and honey syrup into your cocktail shaker
- Shake the ingredients vigorously until they are well combined
- Using a cocktail strainer, strain the mixture into your chilled cocktail glass
- Cut a thin slice of lemon peel and twist it over the top of the glass to release the oils and then drop it into the cocktail to garnish
Prohibition-era cocktails offer us a glimpse into a fascinating period of history and the creativity and innovation of mixologists during that time. These three cocktail recipes are sure to recreate the aura of forgotten times. If you are a home bartender and are looking for some delectable cocktails to experiment then these are perfect for you!
