On December 5, 1933, Congress ratified the 21st Amendment, ending thirteen years of Prohibition in the United States. What some – namely government officials – called The Great Experiment, most of America had come to call The Great Mistake. But while most of the country was mixing up bathtub gin, New Orleans had a more steady and reliable supply of liquor.
Woman hiding a flask in her boot (Courtesy of the Library of Congress)
As a major port, New Orleans received a steady stream of international ships, whose sailors snuck in foreign hooch. Local smugglers took advantage of the many inlets and bayous throughout the state, stashing their boozy bounty in the swamp to avoid federal agents. Rum runners made regular jaunts to the Caribbean, returning with boatloads of rum for thirsty speakeasy patrons. Local corner stores sold liquor disguised in milk bottles. One proprietor noted that he only had to worry about getting caught by federal agents; local police never bothered him since they wanted to keep drinking. For those who wished to drink legally, drink cruises launched across the Gulf Coast, sailing toward international waters where Prohibition had no jurisdiction. For most New Orleanians, Prohibition was at most an inconvenience.
Still, when Repeal passed, New Orleanians celebrated it with gusto. The Picayune reported on the day of Repeal, that crowds lined the streets outside their favorite bars, ships along the wharf blew their horns and all the church bells pealed.
In keeping with this spirit, on December 5, several local bars are offering Repeal drink specials. Each bar prides itself on crafting a well made cocktail, using quality ingredients. The first is a French Quarter establishment, Bar Tonique. Known for its house-made tonic and ginger beer, Tonique is featuring two iconic New Orleans drinks: the Sazerac (the official cocktail of New Orleans) and the Pimm’s Cup.
Twelve Mile Limit, in Mid-City, is named for the distance boats had to travel from American shores before serving liquor. Proprietor Cole Newton liked the idea of running a bar that felt like those ships, the kind of place where “you can get away with things.” Newton is offering happy hour prices on his cocktails all day. Though all his drinks are delicious, if it’s a chilly night, I suggest ordering The Baudin. The pinch of cayenne will really warm you up.
Planter's Punch (Courtesy of Cure)
Finally, Uptown patrons can visit Cure for a plethora of Repeal choices. Cure’s Caribbean theme is based on the Bar Florida cocktail guide, the Cuban bar that was Ernest Hemmingway and Ezra Pound’s watering hole of choice during the 1920s. Featured drinks include the National Cocktail, the Mary Pickford, the Daiquiri #1, Planter’s Punch, the San Martin and El Presidente. Whichever you choose, you can pretend you are basking in the Cuban sun, far away from the pesky long arm of the law.
Regardless of the bar you visit, if you are in New Orleans for Repeal, make sure to raise a glass, and toast not only your freedom to drink, but a city that is happy to help you celebrate that freedom every day of the year. Cheers!
Elizabeth Pearce is a culinary historian at the Hermann-Grima House, where she directs their hearth cooking program. She also gives cocktail and culinary walking tours of the French Quarter. When she’s not drinking or talking about drinking, she’s writing about drinking at Neat with a Twist. To find out more, visit Elizabeth’s website.
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