Bartenders get introduced to the world of mixology via timeless classic recipes, personal favorites of cocktail lovers. Twisting and hyping up the cocktail recipe might be the trend and why not. But the old-fashioned cocktails have our heart, and the history behind them is just as fascinating.
The prohibition era was a time between 1920 to 1933. Manufacturing, sale, and distribution of liquor in this period was prohibited in the United States.
These dry times actually originated tales from back alleys, speakeasies, and countryside. Classic cocktails rolled up with history, intrigue and experimentation. But, they are a perfect pleasure for our soirees where we can drink like it’s the 1920s. Aha, the prohibition and covid lockdowns sound like a perfect match, doesn’t it?
The Winner of the Prohibition Era
If you are thinking about spirits, let us tell you the fact, the spirits were bad. With the ban in play, liquor supply wasn’t extensive leaving a narrow range of choices, with quality on for a compromise. Guess who saved most evenings, yes, cocktails were up for the win every day. The bartender's enchanting skills birthed some classic recipes, absolutely flabbergasted with the skills that came up with bad booze.
Bartender’s nostalgia as it might seem, it feels right to pay homage to the cocktail traditions from the roaring twenties. Let’s experience the legacy of bartenders from the prohibition era and the classic recipes.
Bacardi Cocktail
Bacardi was the rum of the prohibition era. No, this wasn’t the only booze available, but the name signified the entire rum category back then.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Bacardí Ocho rum
- 3/4 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 3/4 ounce grenadine
The Method
Fetch a coupe glass and set it in a freezer to chill. Now pour in the ingredients rum, lime juice, and grenadine into a shaker alongside ice and *shake* *shake* *shake* and *shake* till well-chilled. Now, strain it all into the coupe from before and serve it with a fruit garnish.
The French 75
This brunch hero is a masterful blend of gin and the sparkling wine we were just introduced to -champagne, back in the prohibition era. Here is a fun fact, the name of the cocktail comes from a rather intimidating gun that the French used in WWI.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- 1 teaspoon simple syrup
- ½ ounce fresh lemon juice
- 4 ounces Champagne
The Method
Use a champagne flute for this popular cocktail. Mix gin, lemon juice, ice, and syrup with a shaker, well till chilled, and strain it well into the champagne flute. Top up with flute with champagne and garnish it up with a lemon twist.
The Bee’s Knees
The cocktail that got bartenders started and eventually hooked to using honey. The sweetness of the drink was the winner and loved across several speakeasies.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- ¾ ounce honey
- ½ ounce fresh lemon juice
The Method
Get your cocktail shaker ready with gin, lemon juice, ice, and honey syrup, shaking it till chilled. Strain it well into a chilled cocktail glass and use the lemon twist to garnish it up.
Gin Rickey
A refreshing drink for a chilled party experience, an absolute classic from the 1900s. The drink does so well and is still Washington D.C.’s official cocktail.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (juice of 1 lime)
- 4 ounces club soda
- Garnish: lime wedge
The Method
Highball glass to go, add some ice, gin, and lemon juice to the glass. Top it up with some club soda, and garnish it with 2 lime wheels.
Mary Pickford
Stories break the ice, and the history of Mary Pickford is one such treasure that keeps us engrossed. Mary Pickford, America’s sweetheart from the 1920s was an artist who starred in movies alongside famous chaps like Charlie Chaplin. Going on about the story, she, Douglas Fairbanks (her husband), and Chaplin visited Havana. A fairly skilled bartender whipped her a tropical concoction, and in honor of her work, named it Mary Pickford.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces light rum
- 2 ounces pineapple juice
- 1 teaspoon grenadine
- Garnish: Maraschino cherry
The Method
Throw in some white rum, pineapple juice, grenadine, ice, and maraschino liqueur in a cocktail shaker in steps. Shake the ingredients well till chilled, and strain it into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish it up with some style.
Hot Cocktail Mixing Techniques Check
Mixology is fascinating, and it is captivating how we can create endless combinations of cocktails, using some amazing mixing techniques.
Shaking Method – Noob or a pro, we love cocktails that have something to do with a cocktail shaker, it keeps our mixologist vibes flowing. This method mixes ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker and finally gives them a nice strain.
Care for a sleek cocktail shaker with gold accents, coated with gunmetal? We have you covered. Head straight to the brand section - Hooper of York, a timeless barware brand we created.
Blending Method – A shout out to mixed drinks lovers, this method uses fruits, solid food, ice, and more. All the ingredients are finely blended in an electric mixer, which is also an alternative to a cocktail shaker.
Layering Method – The layering method is pure art, where different colors, flavors, and sensitized ingredients are used. *Pro skills alert* the mixologist makes one ingredient float over another, carefully pouring them over the back of a spoon, forming different layers, say, Liqueurs, spirits, syrups, etc in a straight-sided glass.
Pro tip – Cheers to the cocktail tradition, some of the fruit garnished you must be stocked with are Maraschino cherries, stuffed olives, limes wedges, lemons wedges, orange slices, and whipped cream.
Hooper of York
Hooper of York signifies a loved adventure, from the roaring 20's. Hooper is a timeless Barware brand combining modern lines with art-deco details. Inspired by the travels of explorer F.E.Hooper; who spent the 1920’s exploring and hosting galas. The hostware collection is finished with a lasting gunmetal coating, gold accents, and Victorian greens.
Experience with us the history and story behind Hooper, the adventures that bought the products to life, and the idea that the past can always be relived. Cheers