Cocktail & Other Recipes By Spirit Bourbon Cocktails

DIY Southern Comfort

Written by
Jane Danger is a New York City writer and bartender. She's the co-author of "The Bourbon Bartender: 50 Cocktails to Celebrate the American Spirit."
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Jane Danger
Published 09/04/18
Image: Tim Nusog

Sweetened whiskey favorite Southern Comfort has a long and venerable history, as told in “The Bourbon Bartender,” a book celebrating America’s signature spirit written by NYC bartenders Jane Danger and Alla Lapushchik. Whip up a homemade batch for yourself with this recipe.

This recipe originally appeared as part of “A Brief (and Boozy) History of Southern Comfort.”

Ingredients

  • 1 750-mL bottle bourbon
  • 4 whole cloves
  • 3 dried cherries
  • 2 orange peels
  • 1 lemon wedge (1/4 of the fruit)
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1/2 vanilla bean (1/2-inch piece, or 3/4 tsp vanilla extract)
  • Honey, to taste

Steps

  1. Add all ingredients except the honey into a large sealable jar.

  2. Set in a dark, cool place and let infuse for 5 to 7 days.

  3. Strain out solids and discard.

  4. Stir in honey, to taste.

  5. Funnel back into the empty bourbon bottle and cap tightly.

  6. To serve, pour into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.