You’re drawn to timeless cocktails with a touch of elegance. The Scarlett O’Hara blends whiskey, citrus, and cranberry into a balanced, lightly sweet drink that feels classic yet approachable.
Equipment
To prepare the Scarlett O’Hara, you will need the standard tools for mixing and chilling:
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Cocktail Shaker: Essential for quickly chilling and mixing the ingredients.
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Jigger or Measuring Cup: To ensure accurate, balanced proportions.
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Strainer (Hawthorne): To separate the liquid from the ice after shaking.
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Ice Cubes: For chilling the drink.
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Coupe Glass, Martini Glass, or Highball Glass: Any of these can be used, depending on the serving style.
Ingredients
The simplicity of the ingredients ensures the Southern Comfort’s flavor shines through:
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2 oz Southern Comfort: The base spirit/liqueur, providing warmth and fruity/spiced notes.
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2 oz Cranberry Juice: Adds the signature tartness and the deep red color.
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0.5 oz Fresh Lime Juice: Provides the necessary acidic balance to cut the sweetness.
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Ice Cubes: For shaking and chilling.
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Garnish: A lime wedge or a twist of lime peel.
Instructions
Making a Scarlett O’Hara is quick and simple, following the basic sour template:
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Combine Ingredients: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the Southern Comfort, Cranberry Juice, and Lime Juice.
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Shake: Close the shaker tightly and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds until the shaker is ice-cold to the touch.
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Strain and Serve: Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe or martini glass (serving neat) or into a highball glass filled with fresh ice (serving on the rocks).
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Garnish: Garnish with a fresh lime wedge or twist.
Tasting Notes
The Scarlett O’Hara offers a pleasing blend of tart, sweet, and spiced flavors:
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Aroma: A bouquet of sweet peach and spice from the SoCo, backed by bright lime and tart cranberry.
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Color: Striking, deep ruby red.
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Taste: Starts with the tart punch of cranberry and lime, followed by the warming, sweet, and fruity depth of the Southern Comfort, finishing clean and refreshing.
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Mouthfeel: Crisp, smooth, and light.
Similar Cocktails
These cocktails share key ingredients or the essential structure (spirit, fruit juice, citrus) with the Scarlett O’Hara:
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Cape Codder (Vodka Cranberry): Uses vodka instead of Southern Comfort.
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Cosmopolitan: Similar color and tartness, but uses vodka, Cointreau, lime, and cranberry.
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Southern Comfort and Cranberry: The base two-ingredient mix, lacking the complexity of the lime.
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Daiquiri: Follows the same simple spirit/sweetener/citrus template.
History
The Scarlett O’Hara cocktail rose to prominence shortly after the 1939 release of the film Gone With the Wind, which was a cultural phenomenon. Southern Comfort, which has deep roots in the Southern United States (New Orleans), capitalized on the film’s success by promoting a cocktail named after its fiery leading lady. The drink’s ingredients and vibrant red color instantly evoked the Southern setting and the passionate spirit of the heroine.
Quick Pro Tips
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Adjust Tartness: Use unsweetened cranberry juice for maximum tartness; adjust with a tiny splash of simple syrup if you find the finished drink too tart.
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Serve Cold: Ensure the glass is chilled, and shake thoroughly, as this drink relies on a crisp, cold temperature.
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Highball Style: For a longer, more diluted drink, serve over ice in a highball glass and top with a splash of soda water or ginger ale.
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Fresh Lime Only: Always use freshly squeezed lime juice for the best flavor; bottled juice will flatten the taste.
When to Serve
The Scarlett O’Hara is versatile but best enjoyed in settings that match its vibrant personality:
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Summer Gatherings: Its refreshing and tart profile makes it an excellent warm-weather cooler.
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Cocktail Parties: The striking red color makes it visually appealing and festive.
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Movie Nights: A perfect theme drink for fans of Gone With the Wind or classic cinema.
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Holiday Events: The deep red hue makes it suitable for Christmas or Valentine’s Day celebrations.
