Prohibition in the United States was a nationwide constitutional ban on the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages from 1920 to 1933. But people continued drinking alcohol, moreover, the demand was only higher. In many respects it was possible thanks to the mafia, which was able to coordinate the work of engaged in this activity people, for example, the moonshiners (shadowy Kentucky corn makers) and the bootleggers (smugglers), and also could own "speakeasies".

"Speakeasy" is a legal bar or restaurant offering food, live music and various performances, where, using high signs, people could get illegal fire-water in a tea cup. Police agents being often in the hall, it was necessary to make orders quietly, therefore the institutions were so named. Later, police corruption reached untold proportions, the such places owners began to bribe the police so that they would not bother or warn about planned raids.

Due to prohibition, the cocktails era began: in the case of police raids bartenders quickly mixed alcohol with soft drinks to muffle taste and smell.
The alcohol of poor quality with a high content of fusel oils was often sold, and contraband decent alcoholic beverages were diluted, so to hide it, bartenders started adding ice into drinks.