Prohibition-Era Cocktails: A Taste of NYC’s Underground History
The Prohibition Era in New York City was a time of secrecy, rebellion, and creativity. When the 18th Amendment took effect in 1920, banning the production, sale, and distribution of alcohol, New Yorkers found creative ways to keep their spirits high—quite literally. Secret speakeasies, hidden doorways, and coded language became essential parts of the city’s underground culture, as did the rise of new cocktails that masked the taste of bootleg alcohol. Today, Prohibition-era cocktails remain an iconic part of New York’s drink scene, and speakeasy-style bars pay homage to this fascinating period with drinks that evoke the elegance and excitement of the Roaring Twenties.
In this blog, we’ll dive into the history of Prohibition in NYC, explore classic cocktails that kept the city buzzing despite the ban, and introduce you to some modern speakeasies where you can savor the spirit of this unforgettable era.
The Story of Prohibition in New York City
The Prohibition Era, lasting from 1920 to 1933, was a time when the United States government attempted to curb alcohol consumption by banning its sale and production. The “noble experiment” was meant to reduce crime and improve public morality, but instead, it drove the drinking culture underground. New York City, as the cultural capital of the country, was at the heart of the movement to keep nightlife alive. While legal establishments were shuttered, thousands of illegal bars, known as speakeasies, popped up in basements, back rooms, and even behind closed doors in otherwise respectable businesses.
New Yorkers were quick to adapt, and bartenders became creative with cocktails that could mask the harsh taste of bootleg spirits. The result was the birth of classic cocktails that are still popular today, including the Sidecar, French 75, and Bee’s Knees. The cocktail culture that emerged during Prohibition was one of ingenuity and resilience—a testament to New Yorkers’ love for a good time, no matter the circumstances.
Classic Prohibition-Era Cocktails
While much has changed since Prohibition, the cocktails created during that time remain timeless. These drinks were designed to mask impurities in low-quality alcohol, yet they managed to capture a sophistication that endures to this day.
1. The Sidecar
History: The Sidecar is a cocktail with a touch of mystery. While its exact origin is debated, it’s commonly associated with the Prohibition era. This smooth, citrusy cocktail was ideal for using up cognac and brandy, which were sometimes easier to come by than whiskey or rum.
Recipe:
2 oz cognac
1 oz Cointreau (or triple sec)
3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
Shake with ice, strain into a coupe glass, and garnish with a sugared rim or lemon twist.
Why It Thrived: The Sidecar’s blend of citrus and sweet liqueur masked the rougher edges of low-quality spirits, creating a drink that was both palatable and sophisticated.
2. The French 75
History: Named after a French artillery gun due to its “kick,” the French 75 was a bubbly, celebratory cocktail that became a speakeasy staple. It’s a blend of gin, champagne, and fresh lemon juice—perfect for bringing a touch of luxury to the otherwise covert drinking scene.
Recipe:
1 oz gin
1/2 oz lemon juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
Shake with ice, strain into a champagne flute, top with champagne, and garnish with a lemon twist.
Why It Thrived: With champagne as its base, the French 75 offered a sense of celebration, perfect for parties and gatherings where patrons could toast their way through the dry years of Prohibition.
3. The Bee’s Knees
History: The Bee’s Knees was a honey-sweetened gin cocktail that became popular in the 1920s. Honey and lemon were used not only for flavor but also to mask the rough edges of bathtub gin, a spirit that was often harsh and unrefined.
Recipe:
2 oz gin
3/4 oz honey syrup (1 part honey, 1 part warm water)
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
Shake with ice, strain into a coupe glass, and garnish with a lemon twist.
Why It Thrived: Sweet and refreshing, the Bee’s Knees was easy to drink and easy to love, perfect for New Yorkers who craved a little luxury in their glass despite the era’s limitations.
Modern Speakeasies Keeping the Spirit of Prohibition Alive
Today, New York’s love for speakeasy-style bars is alive and well. These modern speakeasies pay tribute to the aesthetics, ambiance, and spirit of the Prohibition era, with hidden entrances, password-protected doors, and expertly crafted cocktails that take inspiration from the 1920s.
1. Please Don’t Tell (PDT)
Location: East Village
About: This iconic NYC speakeasy is hidden behind a phone booth in a hot dog joint, offering a touch of mystery and nostalgia. PDT’s bartenders craft Prohibition-style cocktails with top-shelf ingredients, bringing the spirit of the era into the modern day. Try their inventive twists on classics, such as the “Benton’s Old Fashioned,” made with bacon-infused bourbon.
Why It’s Worth a Visit: PDT encapsulates the playfulness of the speakeasy era with a fun, hidden entry and a unique cocktail menu that pays homage to the classics.
2. The Back Room
Location: Lower East Side
About: The Back Room is one of NYC’s only original speakeasies that survived the Prohibition era. Enter through a discreet gate and down an alley, and you’ll find yourself in a space filled with period-appropriate decor and cocktails served in teacups—a nod to the way alcohol was hidden during Prohibition.
Why It’s Worth a Visit: The Back Room’s authenticity and unique setting transport you straight back to the 1920s, making it a must-visit for history buffs and cocktail enthusiasts alike.
3. Attaboy
Location: Lower East Side
About: Attaboy is located in the same space as the former Milk & Honey, the bar credited with launching the modern speakeasy movement. While there’s no menu, the bartenders at Attaboy will create a custom cocktail for you based on your preferences, ensuring that each drink is one-of-a-kind.
Why It’s Worth a Visit: Attaboy embodies the creative spirit of the Prohibition era, where bartenders had to improvise with whatever ingredients they had on hand. This personal approach is a true nod to the ingenuity of the speakeasy culture.
Experience the History at Art of the Cocktail
For those interested in learning more about Prohibition-era cocktails, the Art of the Cocktail classes in NYC provide an immersive way to experience these historic drinks. Led by expert mixologists, these sessions not only guide you through the techniques for making classic Prohibition cocktails but also share the fascinating stories behind each drink. Perfect for both cocktail enthusiasts and history buffs, these classes let you recreate the spirit of the Roaring Twenties in your own glass.
The Prohibition era may have been a time of restriction, but it was also a period of resilience, creativity, and ingenuity in New York City. From hidden speakeasies to timeless cocktails, New Yorkers found ways to keep the party alive, turning adversity into art. Today, modern speakeasies and classic cocktails allow us to experience a taste of that vibrant underground culture, reminding us of NYC’s rich, rebellious history.
So next time you find yourself craving a taste of history, head to a speakeasy, order a Sidecar or French 75, and toast to the city’s enduring spirit. Cheers to a time when the cocktails were simple, the secrets were deep, and the party never truly stopped.
