You know about mint juleps and sweet tea, but have you heard of these other popular Southern drinks?
10 Southern Drinks You’ve Never Heard Of
Updated Nov. 03, 2023
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Coke with Salted Peanuts
It’s exactly what it sounds like: a packet of salty peanuts poured into a bottle of Coke. This combo has been a favorite from the Carolinas to Texas for over at least a century—perfect whether hard at work or sitting on the porch on a hot summer day. It’s the original sweet-salty snack. Check out more regional foods you’ve never heard of.
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Chilton
Visit Lubbock, Texas and you’ll find a Chilton on nearly every menu—and for good reason. This citrusy cocktail is as refreshing as a day on the Texas High Plains. This cocktail traces its origins to a Dr. Chilton who asked his bartender for a citrus-packed drink with vodka. What the barkeep came up with was a mix of vodka, the juice of a few lemons and a splash of soda. Pour that into a salt-rimmed Collins glass and you’ve got a Chilton. It’s tart, brisk and just the thing to relieve you from the Texas heat—and if you love lemon, don’t skip these lemony recipes.
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Sazerac
While everyone agrees this cocktail was created in New Orleans, there are differing opinions as to who created it. A potent blend of cognac or rye whiskey, bitters, absinthe and sugar syrup, some say it was developed by the importer-owner of the Sazerac Coffee House. Others say it’s an invention of the creator of the Peychaud’s bitters featured in the cocktail. The Sazerac is the official cocktail of New Orleans and the country’s oldest.
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Joe Buck Cocktail
Buck cocktails blend liquors with ginger beer and citrus—Moscow Mules and Dark & Stormys are two popular examples. A Joe Buck is a variety made with corn whiskey—otherwise known as southern moonshine. One very popular version from the Austin, TX cocktail bar, Midnight Cowboy, adds Dijon mustard syrup to their ginger and lemon Joe Buck!
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Frosted Orange
It may not be well-known outside of Atlanta, but it’s practically a crime to visit the city and not get a Frosted Orange at The Varsity. This old-school drive-in restaurant has been serving its signature Frosted Orange—a blend of vanilla ice cream and their own orange drink, since 1928. If you like your ice cream drinks with a kick, be sure to blend up one of these.
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Chatham Artillery Punch
This party punch dates back to the early 1800s, created in Savannah by the local artillery for the return of a hometown military regiment. It looks innocent enough, but is infamous for taking down even the hardiest of war heroes. The potent punch blends lemons and sugar with full bottles of bourbon, cognac and rum—plus three bottles of champagne.
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Cheerwine
This bright red cherry soda is a “uniquely southern” drink of North Carolina. It’s been brewed and bottled there since 1917 by the same family. The addictive taste of Cheerwine comes from strong carbonation, a deep cherry flavor and a surprisingly light sweetness. It’s a favorite soda to add to recipes like pulled pork and cake. Want to find out the best regional sodas in every state?
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Edna’s Lunchbox
A drink named for the bar that created it—Edna’s, a favorite watering hole in Oklahoma City. The drink became so popular that the owners added several more “box” drinks to their menu. The original and unusual Lunchbox is a beer cocktail made with equal parts Coors Light beer and orange juice, plus a shot of amaretto.
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Yellowhammer
If you’ve ever been to a Crimson Tide game in Tuscaloosa, AL you’ve probably seen folks with large, yellow cups. They’re drinking Yellowhammers, a drink so synonymous with football and tailgating parties that the nearby bar, Gallettes sells around 5,000 of them during home games. Yellowhammers are made with rum, vodka, amaretto, orange juice and pineapple juice. You’ll definitely want to try out our potluck party drinks that pack a punch.
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Southern Hospitality Float
This ice cream float from A Nerd Cooks has a kick and some Southern flair. What flair might that be? To start with, a tall pour of hard root beer. Add to that a shot of bourbon and a couple scoops of butter pecan ice cream. This float is truly Southern hospitality at its finest—especially on a hot day! Check out more of the most iconic Southern comfort food.
Originally Published: January 02, 2020
