Bootleggers Day & Speakeasy Secrets! 🥃

Celebrate with Templeton Sour, dive into speakeasy trivia, meet George Remus, and learn dry shaking techniques. Prefer it neat? We've got you!

Author

Mixologist Master
January 18, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 1 minute

newsletter-title

Sip & Synopsis - What You'll Find Here

  • National Bootlegers Day
  • Speakeasy Fun Facts
  • Sip Spotlight: Templeton Sour
  • Mixologist Spotlight: George Remus
  • How to Dry Shake
  • Like it NEAT?

Trivia Question❓

In which year did the Prohibition officially begin in the United States, leading to the rise of hidden and illegal bars known as "speakeasies"?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

Spirited Stories

National Bootlegger's Day is a quirky holiday that pays homage to those sneaky folks who managed to smuggle alcohol during the prohibition era....had I been alive then, that may have been me 😉.

Yep, we're talking about bootleggers, those ingenious law-breakers who somehow made bathtub gin and moonshine a thing back in the roaring 20s.

So, if you've ever wondered what life was like during that time when the booze was illegal, this day is for you!

Raise a glass, don your best flapper dress or gangster suit, and let's celebrate those bootleggers and their skillful craftiness because without them, we might not have those delicious cocktails we love today!

Fun Fact

  • Speakeasies were known for their creative disguises when it came to entrances. Some establishments used secret staircases or hidden doors behind bookshelves, while others required a secret password or a discreet knock to gain entry. It was all part of the thrill of visiting these underground watering holes.


  • Jazz music thrived during the Prohibition era and became synonymous with the speakeasy culture. These hidden establishments provided a platform for talented musicians, particularly African American artists, to showcase their music and gain widespread recognition. The vibrant sounds of jazz filled the smoke-filled rooms, captivating audiences and contributing to the cultural revolution of the time.


  • Apart from serving bootlegged alcohol, speakeasies offered unique concoctions to cater to their patrons' tastes. Bartenders became master mixologists, inventing innovative cocktails to disguise the harsh taste of homemade liquors. Drinks like the Bee's Knees, the Sidecar, and the Southside Fizz gained popularity during this period and are still enjoyed today, thanks to the creativity found within the walls of the speakeasies.


Drink of the Week

Mixologist Spotlight

George Remus was an American lawyer and bootlegger during the Prohibition era. He became one of the most successful underworld figures, controlling an enormous alcohol empire. However, his reign came to an end when he was arrested for violating the Volstead Act.

While imprisoned, Remus wrote a letter to his wife that demanded a divorce, unaware that she had become romantically involved with the prosecuting attorney.

This led to a dramatic court trial, where Remus defended himself. His defense strategy was so captivating that it resulted in a mistrial. And was called the trial of the century. 


George Remus' life and notorious legal battle inspired F. Scott Fitzgerald's iconic novel "The Great Gatsby.


Cheers to the "King of the Bootleggers"


Read More...

 Shaker Secrets

The Dry Shake Explained: 

A "dry shake" refers to shaking ingredients in a cocktail shaker without ice. Any recipe containing egg requires a vigorous dry shake for at least 30 seconds to ensure that the egg white combines with the other ingredients and produces a smooth, frothy texture. 

Fun Shirt!

💡 Answer to Trivia Question:

The Prohibition officially began on January 17, 1920, ushering in a decade-long period of alcohol ban in the United States and the subsequent rise of speakeasies.

Cheers!


~ Andrea 


P.S. Do you have a favorite cockatil? Are you a mixologist or do you want to highlight someone? If so reply to us for a chance to be featured in a future newsletter and to be entered into our monthly drawing!