There is no one that looks back on Prohibition and thinks it was a good idea. Why we continue to repeat the experiment is novel, but the largest issue that thirteen year period encountered was lack of planning. Sure, the 18th Amendment was able to ban making and selling liquor in most of the United States. Then the Volsted Act swept in and detailed out how it would all work. The one thing they did not plan for was how were they going to enforce all of this? Courts were swamped with Prohibition-related charges. There were many states that almost stopped enforcing it, since they did not have the resources to keep up with the pace of crime. The other part they did not plan well for was people bringing it into the country.
Smuggling and crime sprung up like weeds in the shadow of Prohibition. Rum runners set up at the three mile international border in the ocean and were able to provide small boats with liquor to take back to the United States. Congress discovered this, and fought tooth and nail with other countries to expand the border. Eventually they strong armed other countries to accept it, and the international border was enforced at twelve miles. This, in theory, would discourage small ships to make the longer journey. It may have, but it encouraged the snark of bartenders. There was already a Three Mile Limit cocktail, so when the limit was extended, another cocktail was created. According to Ted "Dr. Cocktail" Haigh, its creation was attributed to journalist Tommy Millard.
There are limits to how far a person will go for illegal drinks.
Twelve Mile Limit
1 oz./ 30 mL white rum
.5 oz./ 15 mL brandy (you can use cognac as well)
.5 oz / 15 mL rye (I used a heavily rye bourbon)
.5 oz / 15 mL lemon juice
.5 oz./ 15 mL grenadine
Glass: Cocktail
Garnish: Lemon Twist
Ice: None
Pour all of the ingredients into a mixing tin. Add ice, then shake vigorously for 20-30 seconds. Strain into the cocktail glass, then twist the lemon over the drink. Add the lemon twist, and serve.
Another one I really wish I would have discovered sooner. Lightly sweet, yet allowing all of the complexities of the liquors to come through. Adding a spicier rye would definitely improve the complexity, or a rum with more pizzaz. Nothing overly flavorful for the rum. It could overpower everything if you go too far. This is also not a light sipper for a long night of drinking. It has some punch.