As of December 5, 1933, the 21st Amendment to the Consitution of the United States was ratified, to wit:

Section 1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States [prohibiting the sale, possession or consumption of alcohoic beverages] is hereby repealed.

Section 2. The transportation or importation into any state, territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.

Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several states, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the states by the Congress.

Wouldn’t mind being at Vessel in Seattle tonight, as Jamie has huge plans to celebrate the day.

To show that after all these years there are no hard feelings (I guess), I’ll take another cue from Jamie and offer as today’s cocktail his slightly rejiggered version of a drink named after the infamous sponsor in the U.S. Senate of the Act that bears his name, which ushered in 14 bummer years of Prohibition. It has a special ingredient, so pay close attention:

The Volstead Cocktail

1-1/2 ounces rye whiskey.
1/2 ounce Swedish punsch.
3/4 ounce fresh orange juice.
1/2 ounce grenadine.
Dash of absinthe (or Herbsaint).

Combine with ice in a cocktail shaker, shake for 10-12 seconds and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Toast the repeal of Prohibition!

Unfortunately, bottled Swedish punsch (the best brands being Gronstedt and Carlshamn’s) is no longer available in the U.S., but Fortunately, Swedish punsch is once again availabe in the United States, thanks to Eric Seed of Haus Alpenz and his wonderful new product, Kronan Swedish Punsch, available in the U.S. as of 2012.

Swedish punsch (or punch) is an ingredient in several classic cocktails, but you can always drink it on its own; it’s quite delightful. (Dr. Cocktail also points out its alchemical properties — you can add a splash of Swedish punsch to a cheap, bottom-shelf rum and it’ll make it taste like an expensive, 20-year aged rum, as if by magic.) Here’s a recipe that’s enough for 2 cocktails, or other uses.