Speakeasy Secrets: 5 Prohibition-Era Cocktails to Try at Home (and at Plumette)

Picture this: a dimly lit room tucked behind an unmarked door, the clink of ice against crystal, and a bartender with nimble hands conjuring something extraordinary from a handful of simple ingredients. Welcome to the world of the speakeasy — the clandestine bars that defined drinking culture during America's Prohibition era (1920–1933) — and the timeless cocktails that were born within their walls.

More than a century later, those same drinks are experiencing a glorious revival. At Plumette Cocktail Bar in Brussels, we believe that great cocktails are never truly out of fashion — they simply wait for the right bar to bring them back to life. In this post, we're sharing the stories and recipes behind 5 iconic Prohibition-era cocktails that you can try at home or, better yet, let us mix for you.

Why Speakeasy Cocktails Still Matter

Prohibition forced bartenders to get creative. With rough, often poorly distilled bootleg spirits on hand, they turned to fresh citrus, honey, herbs, and liqueurs to craft something palatable — even delicious. This necessity gave birth to the modern cocktail: the sour template of spirit + citrus + sweetener that underpins everything from a Margarita to a Whiskey Sour.

Today, the craft cocktail movement has rekindled that same spirit of ingenuity — fresh-squeezed juices, house-made syrups, carefully sourced spirits, and meticulous technique. It's not nostalgia. It's excellence.

5 Iconic Speakeasy Cocktails & How to Make Them

1. The Bee's Knees

One of the most beloved Prohibition-era drinks, the Bee's Knees was invented to mask the harsh taste of bathtub gin. The combination of honey and fresh lemon juice transformed a rough spirit into something beautifully balanced. The name itself was 1920s slang for "the best" — and it still earns that title today.

Recipe:

• 60 ml London Dry Gin

• 22 ml fresh lemon juice

• 22 ml honey syrup (2:1 honey to water)

Shake all ingredients vigorously with ice and double strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

2. The French 75

Named after a powerful French artillery gun, the French 75 packs a punch behind its elegant appearance. This bubbly Prohibition-era favourite combines gin, fresh lemon, and champagne into a drink that feels simultaneously celebratory and sophisticated. It's the perfect aperitif for a night out — or a night in.

Recipe:

• 45 ml London Dry Gin

• 22 ml fresh lemon juice

• 15 ml simple syrup

• Top with chilled Champagne or Crémant

Shake gin, lemon juice, and syrup with ice, strain into a champagne flute, and top with Champagne. Garnish with a lemon twist.

3. The Old Fashioned

If any cocktail can claim to be the soul of the golden age of bartending, it's the Old Fashioned. Pre-dating Prohibition, this spirit-forward classic endured through the era as a testament to restraint and quality. Whiskey, sugar, bitters, and a citrus peel — nothing more, nothing less. Perfection in a glass.

Recipe:

• 60 ml Bourbon or Rye Whiskey

• 1 sugar cube (or 1 tsp simple syrup)

• 2–3 dashes Angostura bitters

• 1 large ice cube

Muddle the sugar and bitters in a rocks glass. Add ice and pour whiskey over. Stir gently. Express an orange or lemon peel over the glass, rub the rim, and drop it in.

4. The Sidecar

Born in the Roaring Twenties, the Sidecar is an elegant marriage of cognac, orange liqueur, and fresh lemon juice. It embodies the refinement and joie de vivre of 1920s Parisian nightlife — bold, sophisticated, and unmistakably timeless. A classic that never fails to impress.

Recipe:

• 50 ml Cognac (VSOP recommended)

• 25 ml Cointreau or Triple Sec

• 20 ml fresh lemon juice

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a sugar-rimmed coupe. Garnish with an orange twist.

5. The Dark and Stormy

Bold, refreshing, and unmistakably dramatic, the Dark and Stormy is a favourite on modern speakeasy-inspired menus. Dark rum floated over ginger beer creates a layered visual as striking as its flavour profile — a spiced, warming depth topped with a fiery ginger kick. Effortless to make, impossible to forget.

Recipe:

• 60 ml dark rum (Gosling's Black Seal is the classic choice)

• 120 ml quality ginger beer

• Fresh lime juice to taste

Fill a highball glass with ice. Add a squeeze of lime, pour in ginger beer, and gently float the dark rum over the back of a spoon to create the layered effect. Garnish with a lime wedge.

"The speakeasy wasn't just a place to drink — it was a place to be alive. The best cocktails still carry that feeling."

Craft Cocktail Culture at Plumette, Brussels

At Plumette, we're passionate about keeping the craft cocktail tradition alive. Nestled in the heart of Brussels on Rue de l'Épée, our bar is a haven for those who appreciate the art of a well-made drink. From our menu of meticulously crafted cocktails to our warm, intimate atmosphere — every detail is designed to give you that golden-era feeling.

Whether you're a seasoned cocktail enthusiast or simply curious to try your first Bee's Knees, our bartenders are here to guide you through the experience. We'd love to see you at the bar.

3 Pro Tips for Home Bartenders

1. Always use fresh juice. Bottled lemon or lime juice will never match the brightness of freshly squeezed. This single change will elevate every citrus cocktail immediately.

2. Chill your glassware. Pop your coupe or martini glass in the freezer for 5 minutes before serving. A cold glass keeps your cocktail at the perfect temperature longer.

3. Invest in good ice. Large, clear ice cubes melt more slowly and dilute your drink less. Speakeasy bartenders knew that great ice was as important as great spirits.

From all of us at Plumette, here's to the golden age of cocktails — and to the next round. Santé!

Visit us at Rue de l'Épée 26, 1000 Brussels — open Tuesday to Sunday from 17:00. Follow us on social media for cocktail inspiration, seasonal menus, and upcoming events.