Westerly Sun Column | Celebrate End of Prohibition with Books

Not that you have the bandwidth for any extra holidays before the end of the year, but on the off-chance that you’re looking for something more to celebrate … did you know that tomorrow is Repeal Day? Celebrated on Dec. 5 each year, this day marks the passing of the 21st Amendment, which effectively repealed the 18th Amendment and ended the prohibition on alcohol. As of Dec. 5, 1933, Americans have the choice to drink (or NOT drink) whichever beverages they choose!

Fairly recently, I was chatting with a library patron who mentioned that they published a book about cocktails and mixed drinks, and they followed it up with “but you probably don’t have anything like that at the library.” Au contraire! A well-rounded library collection includes books on all different subjects, including those about cocktails and mocktails for every occasion and taste. One of the best and most comprehensive guides is the “Ultimate Bar Book” by Mittie Hellmich, a James Beard nominee for the Best Wine and Spirit Book, which includes over a thousand different recipes, tips, tricks, and more. There are a number of similar title if you’re looking for a basic guide, but there are also a lot of fun, themed books on the subject!

If history interests you (and, especially, the laws surrounding alcohol) “Give Me Liberty and Give Me a Drink!” by Dieterle C. Jarrett describes various oddball laws related to booze that are still on the books, and pairs each with his own crafty cocktail recipe. “Contraband Cocktails: How America Drank When It Wasn’t Supposed To” by Paul Dickson is a fun and fast account of the most popular drinks during the prohibition era. For something with more emphasis on history, “Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition” by Daniel Okrent is regarded as the most complete history of this period in time, and makes for a fascinating read. You can also watch “Prohibition,” a 2011 docuseries by Ken Burns that draws heavily from Okrent’s book.

Cinephiles would likely enjoy “Cocktails of the Movies” by Will Francis, an illustrated guide to some of the greatest characters in cinema and their trademark cocktails (think Carrie Bradshaw and her Cosmopolitans), while literary lovers may be drawn to “Tequila Mockingbird: Cocktails with a Literary Twist” or “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margarita,” both by Tim Federle. There are even books with recipes that appeal to foragers, witches, geeks (with recipes related to Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, etc.) and many more.

There has definitely been a rise in non-alcoholic recipe books over the last few years, and we have a plethora of great options for those who choose not to imbibe. Elva Ramirez’s “Zero Proof Cocktails” is a great starting point, as is “Mocktails” by Caroline Hwang. “Trejo’s Cantina: Cocktails, Snacks & Amazing Nonalcoholic Drinks from the Heart of Hollywood,” by famously sober actor Danny Trejo, offers a little bit of everything! So grab a book, your cocktail of choice, and enjoy the holiday!

by Cassie Skobrak, Adult Services Librarian