Southern Comfort is a fruit-flavored liqueur made from high-quality bourbon with added spices and fruits. Originating in New Orleans, it typically has an alcohol content of around 35% ABV.
How it is made
The original recipe starts with high-quality bourbon and adds vanilla bean, lemon, cinnamon, cloves, cherries, and orange pieces, which are left to steep for several days. The mixture is then sweetened with honey.
History
Southern Comfort was created by Martin Wilkes Heron in New Orleans in 1874 and patented in 1889. It won a gold medal for quality and fine taste at the 1900 World's Fair in Paris. The brand has changed ownership several times throughout its history.
Types and styles
The brand offers several varieties including the classic Southern Comfort, the stronger Southern Comfort 100 Proof at approximately 50% ABV, Southern Comfort Special Reserve, Southern Comfort Lime, Southern Comfort Fiery Pepper with Tabasco, Southern Comfort Bold Black Cherry, and pre-mixed versions with lemonade & lime or cola.
How it is served
Southern Comfort can be served neat, with food, or in cocktails. It is featured in several cocktails on this site including Avalanche, Fruit Blazer, Drunken Gold, With Fidel, Bible Belt, Mudslinger, and Texas Rattlesnake.
Adapted from the Russian Wikipedia article Southern Comfort, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.