The ‘XXX’ which is often used to indicate “poison” originated from moonshiners. The X’s indicated their alcohol had been run through the still 3 times and was now pure and strong. – WTF Fun Facts
Source: https://vinepair.com/articles/what-moonshine-xxx-label-mean/
moonshine
WTF Fun Fact – Moonshine Ingredients
Cocktails became popular during Prohibition because juices were needed to hide the taste of some of the ingredients in the moonshine like dead rats, rotten meat, wood tar, and others. – WTF Fun Facts