How Prohibition shaped Classic Gin Cocktails, Cocktail Culture as a whole— and why our Rhubarb & Blood Orange Gin belongs in a coupe glass.
If there is one decade that truly transformed the way we drink, it’s the 1920s. Jazz, flappers, secret passwords, hidden bars and daring cocktails — the Roaring Twenties didn’t just give us great parties, it gave us the classic gin cocktails & cocktail culture as we know it today.
And right at the heart of that story? Gin.
Fast forward a century, and those elegant, spirit-forward cocktails are firmly back in fashion. Coupe glasses are clinking, citrus oils are being twisted with flair, and at Tack Room Distillery, we’re proudly adding our own chapter to that legacy.
So pour yourself something delicious and step back in time with us.
How Prohibition Accidentally Created Classic Gin Cocktails to Perfection
When the US introduced Prohibition in 1920, banning the production and sale of alcohol, it didn’t stop people drinking — it simply made them far more inventive.
Hidden underground bars known as speakeasies popped up in their thousands, especially in cities like New York and Chicago. Behind unmarked doors and secret entrances, bartenders worked magic with limited ingredients and often questionable spirits.
To disguise harsh alcohol, they began blending spirits with:
- Fresh citrus
- Sweet syrups
- Herbal liqueurs
- Bitters
And just like that, some of the world’s most classic gin cocktails were born.
Drinks such as the Bee’s Knees, French 75, Southside, and early Martini variations all trace their roots to this golden age of creativity. The goal? Balance, elegance, and flavour — principles that still guide the best cocktail making today. (speakeasyco.com)
Why Coupe Cocktails Are Back in Fashion
The coupe glass — shallow, elegant, and effortlessly glamorous — became the serve of choice during the 1920s. Designed to showcase crystal-clear, ice-cold cocktails, it remains the glass of choice for sours, martinis, and citrus-forward drinks.
In recent years, cocktail culture has embraced a revival of classic gin cocktail presentation, bold flavours, and playful experimentation, driving a huge resurgence in coupe-style serves and elegant shaken cocktails. (theguardian.com)
Which brings us neatly to our latest favourite creation.
The Scarlet Coupe — Our Modern 1920s-Inspired Cocktail
Our Rhubarb & Blood Orange Gin was practically made for this style of drink. Bright citrus oils, gentle rhubarb sweetness, and a beautifully clean finish — it delivers everything you want in a classic coupe cocktail. Instantly this could become a classic gin cocktail!
The Scarlet Coupe
Ingredients
- 35ml Tack Room Rhubarb & Blood Orange Gin
- 20ml Fresh lemon juice
- 15ml Blood orange juice
- 15ml Orange liqueur (Cointreau or Triple Sec)
- 10ml Sugar syrup (1:1)
- 1 dash Orange bitters
Method
Shake all ingredients hard with ice. Double strain into a chilled coupe glass.
Garnish
Express a twist of orange peel over the surface and rest it delicately on the rim.
Silky, vibrant, citrus-led and unapologetically elegant — this is 1920s glamour, bottled in Dorset.
Three Iconic 1920s Classic Gin Cocktails You Can Make at Home
Fancy travelling back to the speakeasy era? Here are three legendary cocktails from the Roaring Twenties — perfect for home mixology nights.
Bee’s Knees
Created to mask the taste of harsh homemade gin, this became one of Prohibition’s greatest hits.
Recipe:
- 50ml Gin
- 20ml Fresh lemon juice
- 15ml Honey syrup (1:1 honey & water)
Shake hard with ice, strain into a chilled coupe, garnish with lemon peel. (en.wikipedia.org)
The French 75
Elegant, sparkling and celebratory — this gin-based classic was created in Paris during WWI and exploded in popularity throughout the 1920s.
Recipe:
- 30ml Gin
- 15ml Fresh lemon juice
- 15ml Sugar syrup
- Chilled Champagne or sparkling wine
Shake gin, lemon and syrup with ice. Strain into a chilled coupe and top gently with Champagne. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Bright, lively and dangerously moreish — this is pure Roaring Twenties glamour in a glass. (diffordsguide.com)
Southside Fizz
Fresh, vibrant and herbaceous — gin at its finest.
Recipe:
- 50ml Gin
- 25ml Fresh lime juice
- 20ml Sugar syrup
- Fresh mint leaves
- Soda water
Shake everything except soda, strain into a coupe, top gently with fizz and garnish with mint. (speakeasyco.com)
Why Gin Was the Spirit of the Speakeasy
Gin dominated the 1920s because it was quick to produce, easy to flavour, and ideal for cocktails. While some of the era’s spirits were… let’s say challenging, bartenders turned those raw ingredients into beautifully balanced drinks using citrus, sugar and botanicals.
That spirit of innovation, craftsmanship and flavour exploration still drives what we do today at Tack Room Distillery — only now with rather better quality control.
Bringing 1920s Glamour into 2026
Today’s cocktail lovers are rediscovering the joy of classic gin cocktails, beautiful glassware and bold, expressive flavours. Whether you’re hosting friends, building your home bar, or simply treating yourself, there’s something wonderfully indulgent about pouring a drink that connects you to a century of cocktail history.
Our Rhubarb & Blood Orange Gin was crafted to do exactly that — a modern gin with classic roots, bursting with natural citrus, balanced sweetness and serious cocktail versatility. Ideal for making those classic gin cocktails.
Discover the full range at www.tackroomdistillery.co.uk/shop
Final Sip
From secret speakeasies to modern craft distilleries, gin has always thrived wherever creativity flows. So dust off your coupe glasses, grab some fresh citrus, and shake up a little Roaring Twenties magic — Tack Room style.
Here’s to great spirits, bold flavours and very good classic gin cocktails.
Cheers 🍸