Today in 1933, the 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, ending a 13 year era known as Prohibition. This year marks the 81st anniversary of the end of Prohibition.
While Prohibition was a catalyst for bootlegging, violence, and other forms of organized crime – it also helped shape the landscape of cocktails and the art of mixing drinks, as well as introduce a style of bars known as speakeasies – both of which have survived to present day and continue to flourish.
The 21st Amendment is the only amendment to the Constitution where the sole purpose is to repeal a previously existing amendment. It ends a ban on the sale, production, importation, and transportation of alcohol put in place 13 years earlier by the 18th Amendment.
For those of you who imbibe (hopefully all of you reading this post), you know what a big deal this was.
As you raise your glasses tonight and over the weekend to exercise your right to drink booze, please remember to be safe if you’re out. And if you’re in, you can find some speakeasy inspired cocktails to enjoy with friends at home.
Happy Repeal Day to my fellow Americans.
