The "Volstead Act", which defined the rules of alcohol production and sales, also established what an “intoxicating” beverage actually was – any beverage with 0.5% of alcohol. The act did not however prohibit the purchase or use of liquor.

The law lasted 13 years and had numerous unintended consequences, including fueling the rise of organized crime.  During prohibition, alcohol consumption actually increased per capita, the exact opposite intent of the legislation.  Illegal speakeasies flourished across the country, with a reported 10,000 establishments operating in Chicago alone. 

But 75 years later, you can join the DC Craft Bartenders’ Guild and party like it’s 1933.

Join top Washington, DC mixologists and several beverage sponsors who will serve exciting cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, along with a 1930s style jazz band for dancing, all taking place at the historic City Tavern Club in Georgetown.

18th Amendment Repeal Day Cocktail Party
The City Tavern Club 
3206 M Street, NW
Washington, DC  (map it)

Date and Time – Friday, December 5, 2008, 8:00 p.m. to midnight.

Tickets – $90.00 per person and are available online (PayPal required). Cocktail attire required.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Foggy Bottom – Orange and Blue lines, then a 1¼ mile walk or cab ride or use the Georgetown Circulator, which stops just a couple blocks away.

Parking – Two paid parking lots are within a couple blocks, the closest is located at Potomac and M Streets, behind Dean and Deluca.

Images – barrels and lady with flask – both public domain, cocktail – Flickr
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Post from: The DC Traveler

World Cocktail Week

According to the museum, the first recorded use of the printed word “cocktail” was on May 13, 1806, in The Balance, an Albany, NY paper.

And to help us celebrate, (as if we need an excuse), events are planned in 11 cities, including a cocktail-themed dinner at Proof, here in Washington, DC (775 G Street, NW) at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2008.  Tickets are $135 per person and includes hors d’oeuvres with five specialty cocktails created by some of DC’s more interesting mixologists.  Then sit own for a five-course tasting menu with an additional five specialty cocktails.  Bottom line, plan on having a designated driver or taking a cab home that night.

In honor of the week, I came up with my own version of a quintessential  (tongue in cheek) cocktail for Washington, DC.

The Inside the Beltway Martini

In a $286 government-funded shaker, mix:

• 2 parts hot air
• 1 part broken promises
• 1 part lobbyist bribery
• a dash of shameless partisan posturing
• 2 parts sanctimonious speechmaking
• a dash of sex scandal
• top it off with a big splash of righteous indignation

Serve in a large feeding trough and garnish with a piece of braised pork fat. 

This drink is guaranteed to make you drunk with power.

Some of my fellow bloggers got in the “mix” and came up with their own tongue in cheek versions of a cocktail in their city or destination.

• The first is another version of a DC Cocktail, from my fellow Washington, DC blogger at Starked DC, J.Michael.
• Then we have Susan, at The Disney Traveler, with something I assume Mickey Mouse might serve his pals.
• Justin at The Toronto Traveler has one from up north.
• From Japan, Shane at The Tokyo Traveler bring us her version of a saki margarita.
• Alex at Sirened shakes up his version of the “tini”.
• Mary Jo at Fly Away Cafe, tells us about her version of the perfect Flight Attendant cocktail, just remember to keep your seat belt fastened. 
• Another one from Mary Jo who also writes The Seattle Traveler, and her version of the Seattle Space Needle.
• Matt at The Chicago Traveler, bring his take on a Windy City libation.
• Geoff at The Switzerland Traveler came up with a couple of Zurich-inspired cocktails as well.
• From The Las Vegas Traveler, Heather brings us three unique local cocktails, plus the real Las Vegas Cocktail that I suspect even Elvis would have enjoyed.
• Coming to us from the Mile High city of Denver, Shawn from The Denver Traveler, gives us the Denver Cocktail, which of course is served…on the Rockies.
• And a late entry from Paul at Starked SF, the San Francisco Treat…and it has nothing to to with Rice-A-Roni.

CHEERS!!

Images – martini, sign, bartender

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Post from: The DC Traveler