Prohibition Era: Detailed article about the history of speakeasies

Prohibition Era Cocktails Article: The history of speakeasies.

Speakeasies have a long and storied history, dating back to the early days of the American Prohibition era. During the early days of Prohibition, speakeasies were illegal bars that served alcohol. They were often located in secluded areas, such as back alleys, and were frequented by criminals and law enforcement officers alike.

The speakeasy was a very popular Prohibition-era drinking establishment that operated in the United States from 1920 to 1933. 

Speakeasies were typically small, dark, and secret, with hidden entrances and often cleverly disguised ventilation and entry systems. 

They were popular with law enforcement and bootleggers because they were difficult to raid and because the illicit activities that took place in them were generally out of the public eye.

The speakeasy was first popularized in the United States in the early 20th century as a way to evade Prohibition. At the time, the United States had a ban on alcohol production and distribution, and the only way to get alcohol was to purchase it from a licensed retailer. Speakeasies, which were illegal but tolerated, served as a way for lawbreakers to get their hands on alcohol.

Speakeasies quickly became popular with the public. They were often small and dark, and their hidden entrances made them difficult for law enforcement to raid. Speakeasies also served as a place for people to socialize and drink.

Prohibition was repealed in 1933, and speakeasies quickly disappeared from the American landscape. They were replaced by more legal drinking establishments that we all know and love today. 

However, speakeasies also had a reputation for being some of the most popular bars in the country. They were often frequented by celebrities and other high-profile individuals, and were often the scene of wild parties.

Some of the most famous speakeasies include:

The Cotton Club

The Cotton Club in Harlem. The Cotton Club was a legendary nightclub in Harlem that was popular during the 1920s and 1930s. The club was also known for its lavish parties and its famous clientele, which included celebrities, politicians, and wealthy businessmen. The club was originally opened in 1912 as a speakeasy called The Cotton Clubber's Club. The club was renamed The Cotton Club in 1923 and became one of the most popular nightclubs in Harlem. The Cotton Club was known for its lavish decor and its famous performers, including Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, and Louis Armstrong. The Cotton Club was eventually shut down by the police in 1944 for operating without a liquor license. The club closed in the 1950s and was later demolished. 

Waldorf-Astoria

Waldorf-Astoria in Manhattan, The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in Manhattan was built in 1893 by Frederick W. Vanderbilt and his wife, Gloria. The hotel was designed by architect William Rutherford Mead and was inspired by the architecture of the German spa towns of Baden-Baden and Karlsbad. The hotel was originally called the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel-Astoria. The Waldorf-Astoria quickly became one of the most popular hotels in the city and was a favorite of celebrities and wealthy businessmen. The hotel was also known for its luxurious amenities, including its own private railway station and a private lake. The Waldorf-Astoria was damaged by the Great New York Fire of 1911, but was quickly rebuilt and reopened the following year. The hotel continued to be popular and underwent several expansions over the years. In 1933, the hotel was purchased by the Hilton Hotels Corporation.

Copacabana

Copacabana in Miami. The Copacabana is a legendary beachfront nightclub in Miami Beach, Florida. Opened in 1947, it is one of the most famous nightclubs in the world and has been the site of many famous events and performances. The Copacabana is located on the eastern end of Miami Beach, on Lincoln Road. It is a large, open-air beachfront nightclub, with a capacity of 3,000 people. It is decorated in the Art Deco style, with a neon sign that reads "Copacabana". The Copacabana was originally opened as a beachfront restaurant by Brazilian businessman Oscar Schuchardt. It was known as the "Copacabana Palace". In 1947, it was leased to the Copacabana Corporation, and renamed the Copacabana Beach Club. It became a nightclub in 1951. The Copacabana has been the site of many famous events and performances. In 1952, it was the site of the first televised performance of the Benny Goodman Orchestra. In 1957, the Beatles played a concert there. In 1978, the Bee Gees played a concert there that was recorded and released as a live album. In 1992, the Spice Girls played a concert there that was recorded and released as a live album. In 1998, the Backstreet Boys played a concert there that was recorded and released as a live album. In 2007, the Black Eyed Peas played a concert there that was recorded and released as a live album.

Today, speakeasies are still popular, but they are now legal bars. They are often located in trendy areas, and are frequented by celebrities and other high-profile individuals.

Prohibition Cocktail

Prohibition Cocktail a nice Gin Drink.

Prohibition Era Cocktail Ingredients:

2 oz Gin (Hendricks Gin, Gilbeys Gin, Seagram's Extra Dry)
2 oz Lillet Blanc
1/2 tsp Apricot Brandy (Hiram Walker Apricot Brandy, Dekuyper Apricot Brandy) 
1 tsp Orange Juice

Directions:
Shake and strain into a cocktail glass. Squeeze in a twist of lemon and discard.

Lillet Blanc

A light and refreshing, slightly citrusy, sweet, and mildly alcoholic beverage. This wine is popular in the summer and can be mixed with lemonade or other fruit juices to create a long drink. Lillet Blanc is a light and refreshing, slightly citrusy, sweet, and mildly alcoholic beverage. This wine is popular in the summer and can be mixed with lemonade or other fruit juices to create a long drink. Lillet Blanc is typically made from grapes grown in the region of Bordeaux, France. It is made from a blend of wine and fruit liqueurs.

Prohibition era cocktails: The "Bee’s Knees" recipe

Bee's Knees: In this 1920s drink, a teaspoon of honey together with lemon and orange juice would have lessened the potency of bathtub gin. Modern artisan gins give this sweet-tart recipe a much-appreciated depth.

The Bee's Knees, a traditional Prohibition drink prepared with gin, honey, and lemon juice, has a mythical and legendary origin. The name of the beverage, which translates to "the pinnacle of brilliance," may have sprung from "flapper banter" of the 1920s. The beverage may have been invented by bootleggers and their ilk to cover up the taste and odor of raw juniper in bathtub gin. Although the honey and lemon do a great job of disguising the alcohol, they do not qualify as light concoctions. Friends, the Bee's Knees is an extremely strong drug.

The "Bee’s Knees" recipe.

For a drink that's not your usual, we recommend Bee's Knees. It's a 1920s cocktail with gin, lemon juice, honey, and orange flower water. We use Tanqueray Gin and fresh squeezed lemon juice to make this drink. The honey adds a touch of sweetness and the orange flower water adds a citrusy flavor. It's easy to make, and it's a great cocktail for any occasion.

A bit of history:
The Fine Art of Mixing Drink by David Augustus Embury is the first book to describe the cocktail (the first edition published in 1948). Mr. Embury does not have high praise for the drink, although he fairly divides the books into sours and aromatics. Both are not The Bee's Knees. When he offers readers his thoughts on the drinks, he is blunt. Here is what he had to say about the beverage.

Early in the book I spoke in disparaging terms of the Bee’s Knees. This, however, was because as it originally came out during prohibition days it consisted of equal parts lemon juice, honey, and gin. If made as a variation of the standard Gin Sour, merely substituting honey for the sugar syrup, it is acceptable.

Maybe Mr. Embury doesn't like honey, or maybe he's afraid of the Bee's Knees' secret power. The drink is easily ingested. maybe too smooth In my experience, it may even convert a fervent "non-Gin drinker" into a Bee's Knees enthusiast. It is a crowd-pleaser right away since it is sweet and sour. When moderation is put on the back burner, this might become problematic. Mr. Embury did issue a warning.

How to Make it:

THE BEES KNEES
2 oz of Gin (Tanqueray or Plymouth)
¾ oz of honey syrup
¾ oz of  fresh lemon juice

Combine ingredients in chilled shaker, add cracked ice, shake vigorously for 10 seconds. Served up in a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon wedge.

The recipe for homemade Honey Syrup:

Honey syrup can be made easily by combining equal parts honey and heated water. Boil the water and stir in the honey until it is emulsified. Then store in cooled place.  So the rule is one honey bear of honey = one honey bear of water.