The Scarlett O'Hara Cocktail

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 12/7/22
The Scarlett O'Hara Cocktail

The Spruce Eats / Margot Cavin

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

Named for the Southern belle from "Gone With the Wind," the Scarlett O'Hara is as genteel and lovely a drink as its namesake. The cocktail features Southern Comfort (or SoCo), a fruity, apricot-like liqueur, which pairs nicely in this mixed drink with cranberry and lime juices.

The story goes that the Scarlett O'Hara cocktail was created shortly after the film's 1939 release. It was quite popular over the years, although it has lost some of its allure in the 21st century. By varying the amount of cranberry juice you add, you can make it as tall or short as you like. The lime juice can also be adjusted to give the fruity cocktail a tart kick that suits your taste.

It is only fitting to pair this cocktail with the Rhett Butler. Both use Southern Comfort, which makes making it even easier to mix the two at the same party—maybe even a themed one with a film screening.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces Southern Comfort

  • 1/2 ounce lime juice

  • 2 to 4 ounces cranberry juice, to taste

  • Lime wedge, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients to make a Scarlett O'Hara cocktail

    The Spruce Eats / Margot Cavin

  2. In a collins or old-fashioned glass filled with ice, add the Southern Comfort and lime juice.

    An old fashioned glass with ice, Southern Comfort, and lime juice

    The Spruce Eats / Margot Cavin

  3. Top with cranberry juice and stir well.

    A hand pouring a glass of cranberry juice into an old fashioned glass with ice, Southern Comfort, and lime juice

    The Spruce Eats / Margot Cavin

  4. Garnish with a lime wedge. Serve and enjoy.

    A Scarlett O'Hara cocktail being garnished with a lime wedge

    The Spruce Eats / Margot Cavin

Tips

  • Fresh-squeezed lime juice makes this drink just a little bit better. The juice of half a lime is about perfect for a single cocktail.
  • Some bartenders prefer to shake the Scarlett O'Hara, while others like to build and stir it in the glass, as in the recipe. Both methods make excellent drinks; just be sure to strain the shaken cocktail over fresh ice.

Recipe Variations

Among the many Scarlett O'Hara recipes out there, you'll find some that use very little cranberry juice, and others that go for a long pour. Try some of these to find you're ideal version:

  • Pour 1 1/2 ounces each of Southern Comfort and cranberry juice with 3/4 ounce of lime juice. This is perfect for a short glass and, when shaken, works as an up drink.
  • Skip the lime juice and mix 2 ounces of Southern Comfort with 3 ounces of cranberry juice.
  • For a tall highball, try 2 ounces of Southern Comfort, a splash of lime, and up to 6 ounces of cranberry juice.
  • Adding a clear soda (e.g., club soda, ginger ale, or lemon-lime) makes it more refreshing. It's also an excellent addition when transforming the Scarlett O'Hara into a party punch.

How Strong Is the Scarlett O'Hara?

Southern Comfort can vary in strength. In the U.S., it is often 70-proof, but there are 80-proof and 100-proof bottles available. When made with 80-proof SoCo and 2 ounces of juice, the Scarlett O'Hara's alcohol content falls around 16 percent ABV (32 proof). That's a little stronger than wine, and it will become lighter with more cranberry juice.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
98 Calories
0g Fat
28g Carbs
1g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 98
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 1%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 10mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 28g 10%
Dietary Fiber 4g 14%
Total Sugars 14g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 81mg 406%
Calcium 69mg 5%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 245mg 5%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)