Canadian Cocktail Straws

Canada has a fascinating, often underrated history in the cocktail industry, shaped by Prohibition, whisky production, and a deep connection to classic mixology. Here’s a deep dive into Canada’s cocktail legacy and how it influenced global drinking culture and supported Canadian Farmers of prairie grasses.

🔥 Canada’s Role in Cocktail History:

1️⃣ Prohibition & The Speakeasy Boom (1918–1920s)

• Canada prohibited alcohol at the provincial level between 1918 and the 1920s, but enforcement was inconsistent—creating a booming underground bar scene.

• While the U.S. had national Prohibition (1920–1933), Canada continued producing alcohol legally for “medicinal” and “industrial” purposes.

• This made Canada a major liquor supplier for U.S. speakeasies, with whisky and spirits smuggled south by bootleggers like Rocco Perri (“Canada’s Al Capone”) and the Bronfman family (founders of Seagram’s).

• Cocktails flourished in Canada’s speakeasies, especially in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, which became refuges for American bartenders fleeing Prohibition.

2️⃣ Canada’s Whisky Legacy in Cocktails

• Canada is famous for rye whisky, which became a key ingredient in many classic cocktails, especially during Prohibition.

• Classic Cocktails with Canadian Whisky:

  • 🍸 The Manhattan – Often made with Canadian rye when U.S. distilleries shut down.

  • 🥃 The Toronto Cocktail – A mix of Canadian whisky, Fernet-Branca, sugar, and bitters.

  • 🍹 The Whisky Sour & Old Fashioned – Both frequently made with Canadian rye.

3️⃣ Canada’s Hidden Influence on Classic Cocktails

• Montreal’s cocktail scene in the 1920s and 1930s rivaled New York’s, with upscale bars serving Prohibition-era classics.

• Many American bartenders moved north to Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg to continue their craft, bringing their expertise.

• The Bloody Caesar (1969) was invented in Calgary by Walter Chell, putting Canada on the modern cocktail map.

4️⃣ Modern Cocktail Culture in Canada (2000s–Present)

• Today, Canada is known for craft cocktail revivalism, sustainable mixology, and whisky-based drinks.

• Cities like Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto have some of the best cocktail bars in the world, with a focus on local ingredients and historical cocktail techniques.

• The rise of farm-to-bar and sustainable drinking trends has seen native ingredients, foraged botanicals, and traditional Canadian spirits incorporated into modern mixology.

🌾 Tying This to Prairie Straws

Canada has a deep cocktail history, and Prairie Straws fit perfectly into the narrative:
✔ Used in early Canadian speakeasies – When plastic didn’t exist, natural straws would have been used.
✔ Tied to whisky cocktails – Canada’s whisky heritage connects to classic drinks that would have originally been served with natural straws.
✔ Fits modern sustainable mixology – Just as bartenders are reviving lost cocktail traditions, Prairie Straws revive a forgotten piece of cocktail history.

🌾 Top Native Canadian Prairie Grasses for Straws

1. Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)

✔ Strength: Tall, sturdy, and hollow, making it ideal for straws.
✔ Traditional Use: Historically used by Indigenous communities for thatching, weaving, and erosion control.
✔ Eco-Benefit: Deep root systems help restore soil and retain water, making it a great regenerative crop.

2. Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans)

✔ Strength: Hollow stems with natural flexibility, good for beverage use.
✔ Traditional Use: Used for animal fodder, thatching, and native grassland restoration.
✔ Eco-Benefit: Supports pollinators and helps restore degraded prairie land.

3. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)

✔ Strength: Sturdy but slightly thinner than Big Bluestem, holds up well in liquid.
✔ Traditional Use: Used by Indigenous communities for weaving mats and baskets.
✔ Eco-Benefit: Drought-resistant and great for carbon sequestration.

4. Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)

✔ Strength: More slender but naturally rigid, making it a lightweight straw option.
✔ Traditional Use: Historically used for ground cover and forage.
✔ Eco-Benefit: Thrives in poor soil, making it useful for land restoration.

5. Canada Wild Rye (Elymus canadensis)

✔ Strength: Naturally hollow stems with good durability.
✔ Traditional Use: Used for erosion control and native grassland restoration.
✔ Eco-Benefit: Excellent for stabilizing prairie ecosystems.

Best Pick for Premium Prairie Straws?

➡ Big Bluestem is likely the best because of its sturdy structure and historical significance.
➡ Indiangrass and Switchgrass also offer great strength and sustainability.
➡ Little Bluestem and Canada Wild Rye could work for lighter, more delicate straw options.