ProhibitionDenver

Published: May 13, 2026 | 12 min read | Cocktails & Drinks A properly made espresso martini features a thick, velvety crema layer that makes all the difference. Let me be honest with you: most home-made espresso martinis taste like someone dissolved a instant coffee packet in cheap vodka and called it a day. They … Read more

Few rivalries in cocktail history capture the imagination quite like the one between Trader Vic and Don the Beachcomber. Both men claimed to have invented the Mai Tai, and their heated dispute shaped tiki culture for decades. I have spent years researching this story, interviewing tiki historians, and tasting both versions of the drink, and … Read more

If you’ve been exploring whiskey shelves lately, you’ve likely noticed the phrase “Bottled in Bond” appearing on more bottles. It sounds official and prestigious, but what does bottled in bond actually mean for the average whiskey drinker? Simply put, bottled-in-bond whiskey represents one of the most reliable quality guarantees in the American spirits industry—a government-backed … Read more

On January 17, 1920, America changed forever. At one minute past midnight, the 18th Amendment to the Constitution went into effect, making the entire United States officially “dry.” What happened over the next 13 years would reshape American politics, spawn organized crime as we know it, and ultimately prove that you cannot legislate morality through … Read more

I have walked through more rickhouses than I can count, dipped my own bottle of Maker’s Mark in that iconic red wax, and learned why Buffalo Trace keeps winning awards despite offering free tours. After trips to Kentucky spanning every season, I can tell you that visiting the best Kentucky bourbon distilleries to visit is … Read more

There is something undeniably elegant about a properly made Brandy Alexander. This classic cocktail brings together the warmth of cognac, the rich decadence of chocolate liqueur, and the silky smoothness of heavy cream into one perfectly balanced drink that has graced dinner tables and speakeasy menus for over a century. Whether you are looking to … Read more

The mezcal margarita gets all the attention, but this smoky agave spirit has so much more to offer. I spent months exploring mezcal cocktails at bars across Denver and testing recipes in my home bar. What I discovered changed how I think about mixing drinks. Mezcal brings something tequila cannot: complexity. That signature smoke comes … Read more

The Penicillin cocktail delivers a remarkable combination of sweet honey, tart lemon, spicy ginger, and smoky Islay Scotch that has made it one of the most celebrated modern classics in the cocktail world. I first encountered this drink at a craft cocktail bar in Denver about five years ago, and the layered complexity immediately hooked … Read more

{{featured_image “Mai Tai cocktail”}} {{intro}} When it comes to tiki cocktails, none is more iconic or more misunderstood than the Mai Tai. Walk into almost any bar in America and order one, and you’ll likely receive a sweet, fruit-laden concoction brimming with pineapple juice and a paper umbrella. That drink has its place — but … Read more

In the neon-lit depths of 1980s London, where the punk rock scene was giving way to a new era of hedonism and excess, a legendary bartender named Dick Bradsell stood behind the bar at Fred’s Club in Soho. It was here, in this members-only establishment nestled in the heart of one of London’s most vibrant … Read more