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Southern Comfort

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Davewho2 (talk | contribs) at 00:30, 3 December 2008 (→In cocktails: links to the song, not the cocktail). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
For other uses, see Southern Comfort (disambiguation).
Southern Comfort
File:Southerncomfortlogo.PNG
TypeLiqueur
ManufacturerBrown-Forman Corporation
Country of origin United States United States
Introduced1889
Proof (US)100,76,70, 60, 42
Related productsList of rum producers
Websitewww.southerncomfort.com Edit this on Wikidata

Southern Comfort is a fruit, spice, and whiskey flavored liqueur produced since 1874. It is made from a blend of whiskey, peach, orange, vanilla, sugar, and cinnamon flavors. The Brown-Forman Corporation owns the Southern Comfort brand.

Southern Comfort (often referred to as "SoCo") is available as 100 US proof (50% alcohol by volume), 76 US proof (38% alcohol by volume), 70 US proof (35% alcohol by volume) and 42 US proof (21% alcohol by volume). In Australia and New Zealand, it is only available as 60 proof. It is often erroneously thought to be bourbon whiskey based—it is actually neutral grain spirits-based,[1] and the brown look comes from caramel coloring.[2] Southern Comfort Reserve, however, is a blend of Southern Comfort and 6-year-old bourbon and is 80 proof.

History

Southern Comfort was first produced by Irish bartender Martin Wilkes Heron (b. 1850 – c. 1920), the son of a boat-builder. Legend says it was at McCauley’s Tavern at the corner of Richard and St. Peter Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. However, St. Peter Street and Richard Street do not intersect, but Richard Street does intersect with S. Peters Street in the Lower Garden District near the Mississippi River.

He later moved to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1889, patented his famous creation, and began selling it in sealed bottles with the slogan "None Genuine But Mine" and "Two per customer. No Gentleman would ask for more." Southern Comfort won the gold medal at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, Missouri.

In an episode of The Thirsty Traveler entitled "A River of Whiskey," spirits historian Chris Morris describes the original recipe of Southern Comfort. Heron would begin with the best bourbon he could find and would add: "An inch of vanilla bean, about a quarter of a lemon, half of a cinnamon stick, four cloves, a few cherries and an orange bit or two. He would let this soak for days. And right when he was ready to finish he would add this sweetener, he liked to use honey."[3]

The plantation depicted on the label of Southern Comfort since the 1930s is Woodland Plantation, an antebellum mansion in West Pointe a la Hache, a small town in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. Woodland Plantation, which is registered on the National Register of Historic Places, now operates as a bed and breakfast.

In cocktails

A 1 litre bottle of Southern Comfort.

Southern Comfort is used in the creation of many popular cocktails, including "Alabama Slammer", "Red Death", "A Piece of Ass", "Red Devil", "Greek Sex on the Beach", "Crash & Burn", "'57 Chevy", "Sloe Comfortable Screw", "SloScrew", "Slo Sunrise", "Rickstasy", "SocaCola","SoCoCello" and "SoCo-LoCo" (created by R.Capaldi), "SoCo Manhattan", "Blind Andy", "SoCo Andy", "Liquid Cocaine" and "Funky Cold Medina."

One of the earliest Southern Comfort-based cocktails to be marketed was the Scarlett O'Hara, concocted in tribute to the release of the film adaptation of Gone with the Wind in 1939. The mixture includes Southern Comfort, cranberry juice, and fresh lime.[4]

In a more recent advertising campaign, the company suggests mixing it with lime juice to make a Soco and lime.

When Southern Comfort is taken as a shot and chased with orange soda, it gives the distinct taste of an Orange Creamsicle. Another popular mix that incorporates juice is the "Adam's Apple," a combination of Southern Comfort and apple juice. Apple cider can also be used in this drink.

  • In Family Guy's episode entitled "I Dream Of Jesus", Peter Griffin recalls when he and some friends were "wrecked on Southern Comfort."
  • In Oliver Stone's film The Doors, Southern Comfort is referenced in relation to Jim Morrison's addiction problems.
  • In the FX network's crime drama The Shield, members of the anti-gang task force known as The Strike Team make a reference when, after having pulled off a big job, they say that "it's a good time for some Southern Comfort."
  • In the Philip K. Dick novel A Scanner Darkly, Donna asks Bob Arctor to buy her a bottle of Southern Comfort to share; in the movie version, she asks for tequila.
  • In the Neil Gaiman novel American Gods, the leprechaun Mad Sweeney orders Southern Comfort and Coke several times instead of the Guinness that he was expected to.
  • In various movies about Janis Joplin and based on biographies about the rock singer, it is revealed that her beverage of choice was Southern Comfort.
  • In the Stephen King novella Road Work, the secret favorite drink of the protagonist, Barton George Dawes, is Southern Comfort and 7 Up.
  • Southern Comfort was an official sponsor of the web-based show Diggnation up until, and including, episode 119.
  • Southern Comfort is mentioned in an Adam Sandler comedy sketch "I'm So Wasted" from the "They're All Gonna Laugh At You!" CD released in 1993.
  • It is popular in North Texas (Dallas-Ft. Worth area) to refer to Southern Comfort 100-proof by the name "Honey Poo". This is derived from the way "Hundred-Proof" sounds when it is said while intoxicated.
  • In Tennessee Williams's play "A Streetcar Named Desire", Blanch finds a bottle of Southern Comfort in the pantry.
  • Southern Comfort is often associated with traditional saloon-style bars in America

Music

References

  1. ^ Cut the fog with a well-balanced cocktail
  2. ^ Southern Comfort Whisky Liqueur 70 proof, Cordials and Liqueurs, 750ml
  3. ^ Kevin Brauch. "A River of Whiskey". The Thirsty Traveler. Season 4. Episode 402. Fine Living. {{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ CocktailTimes.com > History of Southern Comfort

Anthony Hamilton's Album of 2008

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