The Scarlett O'Hara Cocktail

Written by
Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham is a cocktail expert, professional bartender, and cookbook author with over 10 years of experience in the food-writing world.
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Colleen Graham
Updated 03/24/21
Scarlet O'Hara Cocktail with Southern Comfort

The Spruce / S&C Design Studios
Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

Named for the Southern belle from "Gone With the Wind," the Scarlett O'Hara is as genteel and lovely a drink as its namesake. The cocktail features Southern Comfort (or SoCo), a fruity, apricot-like liqueur, which pairs nicely in this mixed drink with cranberry and lime juices.

The story goes that the Scarlett O'Hara cocktail was created shortly after the film's 1939 release. It was quite popular over the years, although it has lost some of its allure in the 21st century. By varying the amount of cranberry juice you add, you can make it as tall or short as you like. The lime juice can also be adjusted to give the fruity cocktail a tart kick that suits your taste.

It is only fitting to pair this cocktail with the Rhett Butler. Both use Southern Comfort, which makes making it even easier to mix the two at the same party—maybe even a themed one with a film screening.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces ​Southern Comfort
  • 1/2 ounce ​lime juice
  • 2 to 4​ ounces cranberry juice, to taste
  • Garnish: lime wedge

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. In a collins or old-fashioned glass filled with ice, add the Southern Comfort and lime juice.

  3. Top with cranberry juice and stir well.

  4. Garnish with a lime wedge. Serve and enjoy.

Tips

  • Fresh-squeezed lime juice makes this drink just a little bit better. The juice of half a lime is about perfect for a single cocktail.
  • Some bartenders prefer to shake the Scarlett O'Hara, while others like to build and stir it in the glass, as in the recipe. Both methods make excellent drinks; just be sure to strain the shaken cocktail over fresh ice.

Recipe Variations

Among the many Scarlett O'Hara recipes out there, you'll find some that use very little cranberry juice, and others that go for a long pour. Try some of these to find you're ideal version:

  • Pour 1 1/2 ounces each of Southern Comfort and cranberry juice with 3/4 ounce of lime juice. This is perfect for a short glass and, when shaken, works as an up drink.
  • Skip the lime juice and mix 2 ounces of Southern Comfort with 3 ounces of cranberry juice.
  • For a tall highball, try 2 ounces of Southern Comfort, a splash of lime, and up to 6 ounces of cranberry juice.
  • Adding a clear soda (e.g., club soda, ginger ale, or lemon-lime) makes it more refreshing. It's also an excellent addition when transforming the Scarlett O'Hara into a party punch.

How Strong Is the Scarlett O'Hara?

Southern Comfort can vary in strength. In the U.S., it is often 70-proof, but there are 80-proof and 100-proof bottles available. When made with 80-proof SoCo and 2 ounces of juice, the Scarlett O'Hara's alcohol content falls around 16 percent ABV (32 proof). That's a little stronger than wine, and it will become lighter with more cranberry juice.