Jazz Age Cocktails: History, Lore, and Recipes from America's Roaring Twenties

The 1920s saw the rise of speakeasies, bootleggers, rum-running, and blind pigs as people sought to get around the Prohibition law. This led to the creation of new cocktails like the Making Whoopee, the Petting Party, and the Dance the Charleston. Jazz Age Cocktails is a book that explores the cocktail creations of the early twentieth century and transports readers to the glitz and glamour of the 1920s.

Format: Hardback
Length: 168 pages
Publication date: 05 April 2022
Publisher: New York University Press

The Roaring Twenties, a time of immense cultural and societal transformation in America, saw the introduction of numerous groundbreaking firsts. This era marked significant advancements in women's rights, jazz music, talking motion pictures, flapper fashions, and the invention of remarkable devices such as the safety razor and electric vacuum cleaner. The aftermath of the Great War brought a sense of prosperity to Wall Street, ushering in a decade of unprecedented growth and excitement. However, the decade opened with a surprising twist when the Eighteenth Amendment, which banned the production and sale of "intoxicating liquors," became law on January 16, 1920. This marked the beginning of a long-standing campaign to demonize alcoholic beverages, culminating in the official establishment of a "dry" America.

Despite the strict prohibition, American ingenuity flourished, leading to the emergence of a new underground culture centered around alcohol. Speakeasies, bootleggers, rum-runners, black ships, blind pigs, gin mills, and gallon stills became familiar terms, as people sought ways to obtain and consume alcohol despite the law. Passwords, such as "Oscar sent me," provided access to secret night spots and supper clubs where cocktails abounded, and bartenders became skilled alchemists, creating timely new drinks like the Making Whoopee, the Petting Party, and the Dance the Charleston. A new social event, the cocktail party, also emerged, breaking the gender barrier that had long prohibited women from entering gentlemen-only barrooms and cafés.

In response to the challenges posed by Prohibition, a new genre of literature emerged, known as Prohibition fiction. These books depicted the lives of bootleggers, speakeasies, and their patrons, providing a glimpse into the illicit world of alcohol consumption during this period. Jazz Age Cocktails, written by the author of Gilded Age Cocktails, is a delightful new book that takes readers on a captivating journey through the cocktail creations of the early twentieth century. The book transports readers back to the glitz and (illicit) glamour of the 1920s, offering a glimpse into the social and cultural landscape of this iconic era.

Spirited and richly illustrated, Jazz Age Cocktails dazzles with tales of temptation and temperance, providing a fascinating insight into the social mores and values of the time. The book features charming cocktail recipes from the 1920s, allowing readers to recreate and enjoy the flavors and sensations of this bygone era. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a cocktail lover, or simply someone seeking to explore the rich tapestry of the Roaring Twenties, Jazz Age Cocktails is a must-read.

Weight: 320g
Dimension: 147 x 211 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781479810123