History History 5 min read

CHEERS TO ALL

Sipping through history: 10 cocktails from the Prohibition Era

Image: Frames For Your Heart

Isn’t it crazy to think there was a time when alcohol was prohibited? Now, some things simply can’t be taken from society. It’s only logical that as liquor was prohibited, the ways to disguise it flourished across the country. After all, crises do create opportunities! That is what bartenders thought anyway, and that is how many of the best cocktails came to be during the dry years. From Ward 8 to the classic Old Fashioned, the drinks we love today have been around for a long time, and we’ll tell you all about them in this article.

1
Ward 8

Image: Alex Kubsch

The Ward 8 is a cocktail with a bit of political history . Created in 1898, it is believed to have been made in Boston to celebrate a victory: Martin M. Lomasney’s seat at the state’s legislature. This mix of rye whiskey, lemon juice, orange juice, and grenadine offers a sweet and slightly tart taste that was a hit in the speakeasies.

The drink’s vibrant color and balanced flavor made it a favorite during Prohibition. It’s a bit more complex than some of the other cocktails of the time, but it’s worth every sip. Shake with ice, strain, and serve in a chilled glass for a sip of political history. Or to celebrate a victory of your own!

2
The South Side

Image: Bri Tucker

This refreshing drink's origin is a matter of speculation. The main theories suggest that it was either created after the South Side district of Chicago , Illinois, or the Southside Sportsmen’s Club on Long Island. Whichever the origin, the popularity of the drink is connected to Al Capone’s preference for it.

It’s a blend of gin, fresh mint, lime juice, and simple syrup, making it crisp and revitalizing. The mint and lime give it a fresh, lively flavor that’s perfect for any occasion. Shake with ice, strain into a chilled glass, and garnish with a mint sprig for a touch of elegance.

3
Sidecar

Image: Jia Jia Shum

The drinks were quite inventive, but the names? We’ll have to see about that. The Sidecar cocktail is believed to have been named after the motorcycle attachment in London or Paris around the 1920s. Nevertheless, the drink found it’s way across the Atlantic and into every bartender’s guide during the Prohibition.

Made with cognac, orange liqueur, and lemon juice, it’s a smooth, tangy cocktail that packs a punch. Its balanced flavor profile made it a favorite among those who sought both style and substance in their drinks. Shake it with ice, strain it into a sugar-rimmed glass, and you’ve got yourself a ride worth taking.

4
Highball

Image: Timothé Durand

If a cocktail’s name comes from a phrase that means "you’re good to go," you simply have to drink it, don’t you think? Well, that’s the case with the Highball cocktail. This drink’s name may come from railroad signs, where a raised globe meant that the track ahead was clear.

Now, as for the ingredients, the drink has several variations, but the classic ones are scotch and soda. The Highball is a simple yet elegant cocktail that has stood the test of time. It’s made by mixing whiskey (or gin) with a generous amount of ginger ale or soda water, served over ice in a tall glass. Garnish a Collin-type glass with a lemon or lime wedge, and you’ve got a drink that’s both easygoing and refreshing.

5
Old Fashioned

Image: Johann Trasch

If we’re discussing the classics, we can’t ignore the Old Fashioned, the number one drink of all time . Do you need any proof? Ask as many bartenders as you like, and they’ll each give you a different recipe. That’s because, as old as the drink is, it is also highly popular and has been the subject of countless versions ever since it was created.

The Old Fashioned dates back to the early 19th century, but it truly came into its own during Prohibition. This classic drink combines whiskey, a sugar cube, bitters, and a twist of citrus. The simplicity of the recipe made it a reliable choice when quality ingredients were hard to come by.

6
Corpse Reviver

Image: Timothé Durand

Mornings after can be quite tough, and these names aren’t making them any easier! The Corpse Reviver was so named because it was intended as a "hair of the dog" remedy to revive the drinker from a hangover . This cocktail is a complex mix of gin, lemon juice, Cointreau, Lillet Blanc, and a dash of absinthe. It’s a drink that packs a punch but is also surprisingly smooth and balanced.

The Corpse Reviver No. 2, in particular, became popular during the Prohibition era for its bold flavor and reputed restorative properties. Have you ever tried this one?

7
Mary Pickford

Image: Kurt Liebhaeuser

Named after the silent film star Mary Pickford, this cocktail is as glamorous as its namesake . It’s a fruity blend of white rum, pineapple juice, grenadine, and maraschino liqueur. The drink is sweet and vibrant, with a striking pink color that was as eye-catching in the 1920s as it is today.

Created in Havana, Cuba, it quickly became popular among Hollywood’s elite during the Prohibition era. Shake all the ingredients with ice, strain into a chilled glass, and then garnish with a cherry for a touch of old Hollywood glamour.

8
Gin Rickey

Image: Rajasekhar R

The Gin Rickey was a Prohibition favorite for its simple ingredients and refreshing taste. Made with gin, fresh lime juice, and soda water, it’s light, crisp, and perfect for warm summer nights. This drink was named after Colonel Joe Rickey, a lobbyist known for his love of mixing bourbon with sparkling water.

During Prohibition, gin replaced bourbon as the spirit of choice due to its easy availability. It’s a low-calorie, no-sugar-added option that was as much a hit then as it is now. Simply pour over ice and garnish with a lime wedge for a zesty kick.

9
Bee’s Knees

Image: Ash Edmonds

The Bee’s Knees is a classic example of how Prohibition-era bartenders used sweeteners to mask the harsh taste of homemade gin. You may think using honey for a cocktail is quite ordinary, but back in the day, this was quite an innovation. This delightful cocktail mixes gin, fresh lemon juice, and honey for a sweet and tangy flavor.

The name itself is a slang term from the 1920s, meaning "the best," and this drink certainly lives up to it. It’s refreshing and light, perfect for sipping on a sunny afternoon. Shake with ice and serve in a chilled glass for a taste of history’s sweeter side.

10
French 75

Image: Stephen Harlan

The French 75 is as powerful as the artillery piece it’s named after. This cocktail combines gin, lemon juice, sugar, and a bubbly splash of champagne, making it both elegant and dangerously easy to drink.

Legend has it that the drink was invented in Paris and quickly became popular in American speakeasies. The effervescence of champagne made it a celebratory favorite, while the gin added just the right amount of kick. Serve it in a champagne flute with a lemon twist, and you’ll feel like you’re celebrating in style.

General General 4 min read

Slippery, spotty, and surprising

These local amphibians can regrow limbs, release toxins, and much more!

Image: Pixabay

Given America's vast territory and rich biodiversity, our land holds a wide variety of mammals, reptiles, and birds—but let's not forget the amphibians! The United States is home to a great and extravagant range of amphibians that are far more fascinating than just regrowing tails: Some well-known and others that you'll definitely want to discover. Join us as we explore the unique traits of these 10 incredible amphibians found across the US!

1
Tiger salamander

Image: Anastasia Pirri

Meet the tiger salamander—one of the largest terrestrial salamanders in North America. While its size is certainly impressive, the tiger salamander also has other traits that make it stand out. Take its appearance, for example: its dark brown body with bright yellow blotches resembles tiger stripes, which is why it has such a peculiar name. But there's more! Unlike many other salamanders, this one spends much of its time underground, using its large, powerful limbs to dig.

Fun fact: Some states, like Colorado and Kansas, have named it their official state amphibian!

2
Eastern Hellbender

Image: laura adai

Although the tiger salamander is impressively large, another salamander stands out for its huge size: the Eastern Hellbender.

Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis is its scientific name (quite a mouthful, right?). It holds the title of the largest salamander in North America. In fact, it's sometimes nicknamed "snot otter" due to its large body and the slippery texture of its skin.

3
Amphiuma

Image: Wolfgang Hasselmann

When you first see this creature, you might mistake it for a snake or an eel. But it's actually an amphibian—more specifically, an aquatic salamander known as the amphiuma. Its appearance, let’s just say, isn’t exactly what most would call "cute."

This unusual amphibian can grow up to 3 feet long! And while not immediately noticeable, it has tiny legs with only one, two, or three toes, depending on the species. Its limbs aren't very useful, but they do make the amphiuma look just a bit creepier.

4
Colorado River Toad

Image: Crystal McClernon

The Colorado River Toad may not be the cutest or most dazzling creature out there, but it's certainly one of the most fascinating. Native to the southwestern United States, this amphibian is one of the largest toads in North America, but what sets it apart isn't its size. So, while it may look slow and harmless, this toad is capable of releasing a dangerous, highly psychoactive toxin that acts as a defense mechanism and can be fatal to many species, including dogs.

5
Common Mudpuppy

Image: Tommy Bond

Now, it's time for an amphibian whose cuteness is one of its most distinctive features; even its name reflects that! We're talking about the Common Mudpuppy, an aquatic salamander that inhabits streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes. It's also one of the few salamanders that remain fully aquatic throughout their entire life. And that’s precisely why it sports a pair of large, red external gills on the sides of its head, giving it an almost 16th-century European look!

6
Gray Tree Frog

Image: Aurora K

The small Gray Tree Frog inhabits the forests and woodlands of the eastern United States. And while it's true you might find it on trees and plants, its nickname isn't entirely accurate when it comes to color. Yes, it can be gray, but this amphibian has the ability to change its color to blend in with its surroundings! It also has another superpower: the ability to survive freezing temperatures. By producing a natural antifreeze, it protects its organs during cold conditions that most of us couldn’t begin to handle.

7
Spotted Salamander

Image: Kristina Kutleša

As its name suggests, what distinguishes the Spotted Salamander is its shocking look. But beware, its mottled appearance isn't just for show. It also acts as a warning to ward off predators! If you've ever seen one in the wild, consider yourself lucky because although it’s fairly widespread, this salamander spends most of its time underground.

8
Pacific Giant Salamander

Image: wallace Henry

If you venture into the mountainous regions of the Pacific Northwest, you might come face-to-face with the Pacific Giant Salamander, one of the largest terrestrial salamanders in North America.

Reaching up to 14 inches in length, this amphibian is striking to see—but it’s even more surprising when you hear it. That’s right: unlike most of its kind, the Pacific giant salamander can make audible barking sounds!

9
Barking Tree Frog

Image: José M. Alarcón

We have a contestant that could go head-to-head with the Pacific Giant Salamander in a barking contest: the aptly named Barking Tree Frog.

Let’s just say the frog’s striking features are perfectly summed up by its name. In states like Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, you can find this little amphibian calling from the treetops or near freshwater shores.

10
Dusky Gopher Frog

Image: Geraldine Dukes

Finally, we have the most mysterious and elusive of all: the Dusky Gopher Frog. As one of the rarest frog species in the U.S., the Dusky Gopher Frog is incredibly elusive and critically endangered, with fewer than 200 individuals left in the wild. The dusky frog spends most of its life hidden underground and only comes out during the mating season.

Culture Culture 5 min read

Relive the classics

How did these 10 TV lines become more famous than their shows?

Image: TopSphere Media

Some TV lines and catchphrases are so famous that even people who’ve never seen the show know them well. Though they were created decades ago, one thing is certain: just reading these quotes will bring back all those memories. From "What’chu talkin’ ’bout, Willis?" to "Here’s Johnny!", we’re revisiting 10 unforgettable TV lines that are part of pop culture history.

1
"Here’s Johnny!" - The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

Image: Carl Lender, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Tonight Show is one of the longest-running and most influential programs in television history. The late-night show premiered in 1954, but Johnny Carson took over in 1962 and became the face of the show for three decades. It was Ed McMahon, Carson’s longtime sidekick and announcer, who gave birth to the iconic introduction: "Heeeeeere’s Johnny!" The phrase took hold so firmly in American culture that it was referenced endlessly across other shows and media, most famously parodied to terrifying effect by Jack Nicholson in Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining (1980).

2
"What’chu talkin’ ’bout, Willis?" - Diff’rent Strokes

Image: Louise Palanker, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

It’s impossible not to picture Gary Coleman’s face when you hear "What’chu talkin’ ’bout, Willis?" The line, uttered by Arnold (Coleman) to older brother Willis (Todd Bridges), became so famous that it’s still used today to express confusion, even by young people around the world who don’t know it comes from the NBC sitcom Diff’rent Strokes (1978–1985). The catchphrase helped catapult Coleman to international fame, but it was repeated so often that, by the later seasons, he admitted he sometimes refused to say it.

3
"Ayyyyyy!" - Happy Days

Image: ABC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Yes, the power of a catchphrase can be so strong that some of the most memorable ones are just one consonant-free syllable. A perfect example is the signature line of Arthur Fonzarelli, A.K.A. Fonzie, or "The Fonz," from Happy Days (1974–1984). Played by Henry Winkler, Fonzie was the coolest guy on TV, so all it took was a leather jacket, a thumbs-up, and an "Ayyyyy!" to make him immortal.

4
"Dy-no-mite!" - Good Times

Image: Aleks Dorohovich

Actor Jimmie Walker rose to fame playing J.J. Evans on the American sitcom Good Times (1974–1979). His clever and energetic character had a trademark: "Dy-no-mite!", his exclamation of excitement, approval, or surprise. The line became so famous that it appeared everywhere, from T-shirts to posters, and for many viewers, it’s the thing they most remember about the show.

Although the line was undeniably a hit, the actor admitted in later interviews that he wasn’t entirely sure it would take off. Who could have predicted what was coming?

5
"I love it when a plan comes together!"- The A-Team

Image: Fotopersbureau De Boer, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

"I love it when a plan comes together!" was the iconic catchphrase delivered by George Peppard’s character in The A-Team (1983–1987). At the end of many episodes of the action series, Lieutenant Colonel John "Hannibal" Smith would light or just hold his cigar as he delivered the line, signaling that his plans (usually elaborate, risky, and a little over the top) had worked out perfectly. Over time, the phrase became part of popular culture and is still used today whenever everything falls into place.

6
"Book 'em, Danno" - Hawaii Five-O

Image: CBS Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

"Book ’em, Danno" was the iconic line delivered by Jack Lord’s character, Detective Steve McGarrett, to his partner Danny "Danno" Williams (played by James MacArthur) on Hawaii Five-O (1968–1980). The utterance often came at the end of an episode when the bad guy had finally been caught. It became hugely popular and turned into a cultural shorthand for "case closed" in the 1970s.

7
"Lucy, you got some 'splaining to do!"- I Love Lucy

Image: TV Guide, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball played the ultimate sitcom couple, Ricky and Lucy Ricardo, on I Love Lucy (1951–1957). Whenever Lucy got caught up in one of her classic schemes or hilarious misunderstandings, Ricky would step in to deliver some version of "Lucy, you got some ‘splaining’ to do!"

Even though the line was never delivered exactly the same way, Ricky would always demand an explanation in similar terms, with variations like "Lucy, something needs ‘splaining’" or "What needs ’splainin’?"

8
"Is that your final answer?" - Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

Image: Idea SV, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Maybe it’s just nostalgia, but it’s hard not to feel the tension when you hear "Is that your final answer?" That classic line from Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? originated with Chris Tarrant, the original host of the British version, which debuted in 1998. But it was Regis Philbin, host of the American version (which premiered in 1999), who helped the phrase achieve worldwide fame.

The question added a moment of suspense, often making contestants second-guess themselves. Over time, its impact went far beyond the game, becoming an indisputable part of the cultural lexicon

9
"Live long and prosper" - Star Trek

Image: NBC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

You may remember Leonard Nimoy’s voice as Spock delivering his signature "Live long and prosper" in the original Star Trek (1966–1969). As a traditional Vulcan greeting, the line was often paired with the iconic hand gesture, where the fingers split to form a "V" shape. The phrase went on to transcend generations, which makes it even more surprising that it wasn’t part of the original script; it was Nimoy who came up with both the gesture and the phrase for the show.

10
"Norm!" - Cheers

Cheers (1982–1993) is one of those shows that’s hard to forget, and anyone who’s seen it will instantly remember the shout of "Norm!" This was the familiar greeting from the bar’s staff and regulars every time Norm Peterson, played by George Wendt, walked through the door. Norm is one of the few characters to appear in all 275 episodes of the series, so that moment became a beloved and frequent (very frequent) ritual.

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