Taking effect on January 17, 1920, the Eighteenth Amendment, or National Prohibition Act, banned the sale of alcohol in the United States for well over a decade. Additionally, it introduced penalties for the production and distribution of the alcoholic substances. Contrary to its intention, the act led to much criminal activity with the illegal production of alcoholic beverages, numerous speakeasies, as well as much gangland violence. Prohibition came to an end with the ratification of the 21st Amendment on December 5, 1933. With that, we celebrate the 80th year anniversary of the prohibition repeal today. Check out more details and pictures of the American prohibition at the LIFE website.Dating back to as early as 1821, University of Georgia Press author Lee L Willis documents the prohibition experience for those in the south in his book SOUTHERN PROHIBITION. The book examines political culture and reform through the evolving temperance and prohibition movements in Middle Florida. Scholars have long held that liquor reform was largely a northern and mid-Atlantic phe-nomenon before the Civil War. Willis takes a close look at the Florida plantation belt to reveal that the campaign against alcohol had a dramatic impact on public life in this portion of the South as early as the 1840s.
To celebrate national Repeal Day, check out the following drink recipes from University of Georgia Press author and veteran food journalist Susan Puckett. In EAT DRINK DELTA, Puckett (with photographs by Delta resident Langdon Clay) reveals a region shaped by slavery, civil rights, amazing wealth, abject deprivation, the Civil War, a flood of biblical proportions, and—above all—an overarching urge to get down and party with a full table and an open bar. Throughout the pages, she shares a myriad of delicious mixed drinks from across the southern United States.Compliments of the Peabody Memphis Grand Lobby Bar in Memphis, Tenn., the drinks dubbed Peabody Hotel Blue Suede Shoes Martini and The Presbyterian are certainly worth writing home about.
 |
| Recipes from Eat Drink Delta |
The Germantown Commissary also serves a sweet mixed drink known as the Pink Panty Pull-Downs.
 |
| Recipe from Eat Drink Delta |
Earlier this morning, TIME posted an article entitled 80 Reasons Why Drinking Alcohol is Great. Some of our favorites include having a celebration, beneficial health reasons, and social bonding. For whatever reason you may chose, remember to be safe and responsible. Lastly, need inspiration on choosing a good drink? Be sure to check out more cookbooks from the University of Georgia Press on our website.
