SC Cocktails
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South Carolina-inspired cocktails for the true Southern connoisseur

Southern sippin’

Story By Bailey Gilliam

The essence of Southern hospitality often revolves around good company and great drinks. In South Carolina this tradition is alive and well, with a rich history of unique beverages that perfectly capture the spirit of the Deep South. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or a curious visitor, these South Carolina-inspired concoctions offer a taste of true Southern charm. So mix up a glass, sit back, and savor the flavors that make South Carolina’s drink culture so special.


Tito’s Handmade Vodka 

Tito’s Sweet-O

Did you know that each state has its own signature drink? South Carolina claims sweet tea and vodka as its own. Few beverages embody Southern tradition quite like sweet tea. Although sweet tea was originally brewed in Virginia, it was Firefly Distillery on South Carolina’s Wadmalaw Island that first popularized blending it with vodka, creating a truly iconic Southern cocktail.

Photo of fresh lemon ice tea on white wooden table

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces Tito’s Handmade Vodka

3 ounces iced sweet tea

Directions

Combine Tito’s Handmade Vodka and sweet tea in a glass over ice. Garnish with a lemon slice.


Hilton Head Distillery

Planters Punch

Planters punch, believed to have been invented at the historic Planters Inn in downtown Charleston, is a blend of rum, citrus, sugar and spice. This classic cocktail has been quenching thirsts since the late 1800s, although its origins remain a bit murky. While Charleston is often linked to this drink, it’s more likely that it actually originated in Jamaica. 

A tropical punch cocktail in a pineapple looking glass

Ingredients

3 ounces dark pineapple rum

1 ounce lime juice

3/4 ounce grenadine

2 dashes of Angostura bitters

Soda water

Directions

[1] Add all ingredients into a shaker with ice. [2] Fill a pineapple glass with nugget ice. Pour the cocktail over ice, and top with soda water. [3] Garnish with a generous mint leaf and a colorful straw.

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