If you’re searching for Prohibition-era tequila cocktails, don’t look too hard, because you won’t find much.
Dave Wondrich notes one exception, although he admits the story is on shaky ground:
“Supposedly — supposedly — the Tequila Sunrise was invented sometime near the end of Prohibition at Tijuana’s famed Agua Caliente casino-resort-racetrack, where on any given weekend you could find half of Los Angeles (the half with pots of cash), drinking legally and gambling…well, let’s just say the policia knew about it.” Source
It is well known that during the prohibition years, many Americans “discovered” the agave-based spirits of Mexico and crossed borders, as David noted, to quench their thirst for alcohol.
Thanks to the passing of the 21st amendment, today’s bartenders and cocktail connoisseurs have had the chance — legally — to innovate with all the fantastic spirits of Mexico, including tequila, mezcal, sotol, Xtabentún, and more. And Verde’s bartenders over the years have certainly enjoyed developing cocktails working with both traditional and more modern ingredients.
Repeal Day gives us a reason to celebrate our cocktail culture, and that’s what we’ll do this Thursday by offering a special menu of classic Prohibition-era cocktails, re-imagined with a Mexican flair. A daiquiri, death in the afternoon, and old fashioned never tasted quite like this.
Raise your glass to the end of Prohibition on December 5th!