How far would you travel for a classic, handcrafted cocktail?
Your answer today might be different than on the evening of January 17, 1920. Because when Prohibition started, the lengths New Orleanians were willing to go to find a good drink changed as well. But while Prohibition was designed to put an end to cocktails, it sparked a newfound appreciation for good drinks and good times. Enter: the 12 Mile Limit.
Booze Cruises
Everyone knows that Prohibition was intended to ban the import, export and imbibing of alcohol. But did you know that the ban only extended for a few miles offshore? Once New Orleanians discovered this loophole, they used it to their benefit — and even more so, their enjoyment.
Soon enough, cruises became all the rage. Locals would gather on ships to play shuffleboard, deck tennis, swim and, of course, drink cocktails. While it was certainly a different experience than the bars of New Orleans, the three-mile and 12-mile limit perimeters were the perfect legal playground for cocktail enthusiasts.
Mixing Up New Recipes
Prohibition was anything but usual. And people weren’t ordering their usual drinks either. For better or worse, this inspired some all-new cocktail creations. The most famous of which is the Twelve Mile Limit. The name itself was a direct nod to the way people skirted the law to get their fill of alcohol. You can call the name arrogant or just call it straightforward — either way, it would last much longer than the rules that confined it at the time.
Here’s how we like to make our Twelve Mile Limit:
1 oz Cane Run Rum or white rum
.5 oz Sazerac Rye
.5 oz ounce brandy
.5 oz grenadine
.5 oz lemon juice
Shake well with ice and strain into glass and garnish with lemon
The mix of spirits was the perfect way for alcohol-deprived to indulge on all their favorite flavors in one glass. Even better, it was easy to make and easier to enjoy.
The Legacy Lives On
American ingenuity was on full display during Prohibition. The story of the Twelve Mile Limit is just another unique way for people to enjoy their favorite — and new favorite — cocktails of the time. While some of the Prohibition-era traditions fell by the wayside soon after National Repeal Day, cruises and the Twelve Mile Limit lived on. And for that, we’re grateful.
Events
E.H. Taylor Bourbon Experience
Experience the craftsmanship and legacy of E.H. Taylor through an exclusive guided tasting featuring five of the distillery's most sought-after expressions. Guests will enjoy pours of E.H. Taylor line showcasing the remarkable range and innovation of the Taylor portfolio. Through each pour and discussion, discover how Taylor's relentless pursuit of excellence shaped the bourbon industry and created innovations whose influence can still be found in distilleries around the world
Smugglers and Spirits
This program explores the people who operated along the edges of the law in Louisiana and the Gulf Coast, including pirates, privateers, smugglers, river bandits, bootleggers, and other notorious figures. Through historical storytelling and beverage interpretation, guests learn how Louisiana's waterways, ports, and frontier conditions created opportunities for both commerce and crime. Cocktail pours are incorporated throughout the program to connect the stories to the spirits that shaped the region's culture and economy.
Wheated Bourbon Origins Experience
Explore the legacy of Pappy Van Winkle and the innovation that transformed bourbon by replacing rye with wheat, creating the smooth, approachable style known today as wheated bourbon. Enjoy a guided tasting featuring three elevated expressions of Weller, the Original Wheated Bourbon, before concluding with a rare taste of one of the world's most sought-after bourbons. Discover the history, craftsmanship, and lasting influence behind bourbon's most iconic wheated whiskey tradition.
Science of Spirits
Shake up your cocktail knowledge with a guided tasting featuring premium spirits and handcrafted cocktails, including Sazerac Rye, Jung & Wulff Guyana Rum, a Clarified Whiskey Sour, a Coconut Oil-Washed Rum Old Fashioned, and a Buffalo Trace Paper Plane.
House of Cocktails Class
Discover how a well-chosen liqueur can transform a simple drink into a show-stopping cocktail. Guests will explore the history of classic cocktails while unlocking endless possibilities with the Sazerac House of Cocktail line of liqueurs. Learn simple techniques, flavor-building tips, and creative applications that will transform the way you mix. Sip. Experiment and leave inspired to elevate every cocktail you make.
Behind The Bar
Go beyond following recipes and learn how to build a cocktail that's truly your own. Behind the Bar is an interactive old fashioned cocktail class where you'll explore how small ingredient choices create dramatically different flavor profiles. Rather than making the same drink as everyone else, you'll customize your cocktail by selecting from a curated range of premium spirits, sweeteners, bitters, and garnishes. Your experience begins with a welcome cocktail crafted by the instructor before you step “behind the bar” to experiment with your own creation
Meet the Distiller: Small Group Tour & Tasting
Step behind the scenes with the artisans who bring Sazerac’s legendary spirits to life. “Meet the Distiller” is an exclusive, hour-long experience that begins with a private VIP tour through the Sazerac House distillery and historic Apothecary. Guests will enjoy insider access, behind-the-barrel stories, and a rare glimpse into the craft and science of our production process. Following the tour, you’ll join our distiller in their private tasting room for a curated guided tasting of four Sazerac expressions — hand-selected and presented by the distiller. This intimate setting allows guests to explore the flavors, techniques, and traditions that define our spirits.
