Prohibition was one of the most fascinating and contradictory periods in American history. From 1920 to 1933, the Volstead Act banned the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in the United States. But this restriction did little to curb consumption—in fact, it made drinking more daring, creative, and… underground. During those years, America’s thirst turned into a mix of smuggling, jazz, hidden bars, and improvised cocktails. But what did people actually drink during Prohibition? Let’s find out.

What Could You Drink During Prohibition?

Technically, nothing—or rather, nothing legal. Prohibition banned the manufacture, transport, and sale of alcohol, but not private consumption. This loophole allowed many citizens to stock up on personal supplies before the law took effect.

There were also exceptions for religious and medicinal purposes: sacramental wine and “medicinal” whiskey sold in pharmacies continued to circulate. As a result, the amount of alcohol legally consumable was minimal, but in reality, an underground river of booze kept flowing.

Home production of wine, cider, and especially so-called “bathtub beer” was widespread. Others relied on smugglers—known as bootleggers—who imported alcohol from abroad or produced it illegally in makeshift distilleries. One of the most notorious drinks was moonshine, a homemade spirit that was often low in quality but extremely high in alcohol content.

Prohibition-Era Cocktails: When Alcohol Was Banned

Many cocktails were born—or gained popularity—during Prohibition. The reason was simple: the available alcohol was often harsh and unpleasant, so mixers like sugar, citrus, and spices were needed to mask the taste. Drinks became more creative, and some even reached legendary status.

Among the most famous:

Bee’s Knees: gin, lemon juice, and honey. Honey helped hide the aggressive taste of homemade gin.
Sidecar: cognac, triple sec, and lemon juice. An elegant cocktail imported from Europe, highly appreciated.
Southside: gin, mint, sugar, and lime. Refreshing and aromatic, it was reportedly a favorite of Al Capone.
Mary Pickford: rum, pineapple juice, grenadine, and maraschino. Named after the famous silent film actress.
French 75: gin, lemon juice, sugar, and champagne. A powerful mix, named after a French artillery cannon.

Many of these cocktails are still found on modern bar menus around the world, but their origins lie in the need to drink… without leaving a trace.

What Did Al Capone Drink?

Al Capone is perhaps the most iconic figure of the Prohibition era. The Italian-American mob boss built a vast empire on the illegal alcohol trade in Chicago, earning millions and controlling bars, clubs, distilleries, and entire neighborhoods.

He was said to favor the Southside, a cocktail made with gin and mint, served in Chicago’s South Side—his stronghold. The drink was light and refreshing, but behind its freshness was the iron fist of the boss. Capone reportedly wasn’t a heavy drinker himself, but he knew how to use alcohol to gain power.

He often frequented high-end speakeasies, where champagne and whiskey were served—illegally imported from Canada or the Bahamas.

What Did People Drink in the 1920s?

The Roaring Twenties were a chaotic mix of contradictions: on one side, Prohibition; on the other, a cultural boom, jazz, flapper girls, and nightlife. In this context, alcohol was everywhere—just hidden.

In addition to the cocktails already mentioned, people drank:

Bootleg whiskey, often from Canada.
Rum imported from the Caribbean.
Homemade beer, usually light and watered down.
Sacramental wine, produced by vineyards registered for religious use.

But the most consumed alcohol remained that made secretly at home: strong, often dangerous, but cheap. Some bars even improvised with ingredients like glycerin, distilled water, and artificial flavorings. Needless to say, many of these drinks were hazardous to health.

What Were Prohibition-Era Bars Called?

The clandestine bars born during Prohibition were known as speakeasies. The term comes from the phrase “speak easy,” meaning to speak quietly—entry often required discretion and a secret password.

Speakeasies were hidden behind fake walls, anonymous doors, barber shops, libraries, or clothing stores. Some were barebones, while others were luxurious and elegant, with live jazz, waiters in tuxedos, and drinks served in teacups to avoid suspicion.

Frequented by both men and women (a novelty for the time), speakeasies became hubs of rebellion, socializing, and freedom, even amid repression. And it was in these very bars that a new drinking culture was born—one that lives on in today’s cocktail bars.

How Many Speakeasies Were There in New York in 1920?

It’s hard to give an exact number, but it’s estimated that New York had over 20,000 speakeasies in 1920. A staggering figure, especially considering that there were only about 15,000 legal bars before Prohibition. In other words, the ban actually increased the availability of alcohol instead of reducing it.

Every neighborhood had its own spots: Harlem was famous for its jazz-filled speakeasies, frequented by artists and intellectuals. In Manhattan, the most exclusive venues were located in Midtown and the Upper East Side, often attended by politicians and celebrities.

Why Did America Enforce Prohibition?

The roots of Prohibition go back to the 19th century, with temperance movements that highlighted the dangers of alcohol to public health and morality. Religious groups, women’s associations, and social reformers pushed for strict legislation, culminating in 1919 with the 18th Amendment and the enactment of the Volstead Act in 1920.

The goals were noble: reduce crime, improve public health, and strengthen family values. But the results were disastrous. Instead of reducing alcohol consumption, Prohibition fueled organized crime, corruption, and the black market. Police forces were often complicit, jails filled up with small-time bootleggers, and alcohol quality plummeted.

In 1933, after thirteen years of failure and scandal, Prohibition was repealed by the 21st Amendment—the first (and only) time one constitutional amendment was overturned by another.