Uploaded June 2015 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The combination of Rye Whiskey, Mezcal, Benedictine and Chicory & Vanilla Bitters in a cocktail captures of the spirit and the essence of the sunny, sandy, smoggy, glitzy, palm-lined, suburban-sprawl, paved chaparral, melting pot of the Los Angeles Metro Area in Southern California—known to newscasters and locals as The Southland.
Much like the city's residents, most ingredients are imported, with the exception of the bitters, which comes straight outta Mar Vista (or their lesser, but still amazing substitute Green Bar Vanilla Bitters, which comes from DTLA). The official ingredients of this drink are Wild Turkey 101 Rye Whiskey, Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, DOM Benedictine and Drunken Crane's Chicory & Vanilla Bitters. The Benedictine, a liqueur exclusively made by monks, represents the missionaries that settled California. The Mezcal is a reminder of the Mexican territory of Alta California. The Kentucky Rye represents the manifest destiny and migration to the west. And the California Bitters are a product of passion turned into a business, something that many Angelinos—adopted and native, alike—strive to do. The combination of all four is as amazing as it is delicious.
So mix up a Southland, and raise a glass to endless summers and boulevards of dreams. Here's to hoping the San Andreas stays dormant, the water stay potable and that our California dreamin' comes true. Cheers!
Recipe:
1 oz Rye Whiskey (Wild Turkey 101 Rye)
1 oz Mezcal (Del Maguey Vida Mezcal)
0.5 oz Benedictine
2 dashes Chicory & Vanilla Bitters (semi-optional)
Stir with ice. Strain into rocks glass over large ice.
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facebook.com/DistinguishedSpirits
instagram.com/distinguishedspirits
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Featured in this Episode:
Wild Turkey 101 Rye Whiskey
wildturkeybourbon.com
campariamerica.com/whiskey-lovers-rejoice-wild-turkey-101-rye-makes-its-highly-anticipated-return
Del Maguey Vida Mezcal
delmaguey.com/vida
DOM Benedictine
benedictinedom.com/usa/en/home.aspx
Drunken Crane Chicory & Vanilla Bitters
thedrunkencrane.com/the-drunken-crane-bitters
Bar Tools:
Schott-Zwiesel Tossa Old Fashioned Glasses (set of 6)
amzn.to/1QkqgfZ
Schott-Zwiesel Tossa Old Fashioned Glass (single glass)
amzn.to/1AJlOW0
OXO Graduated Double Jigger
amzn.to/1EP3Cp8
Hawthorne Strainer
amzn.to/1FfK2mB
Mixing Glass
amzn.to/1QgQ7oN
Barspoon
amzn.to/1FfLxB4
The combination of Rye Whiskey, Mezcal, Benedictine and Chicory & Vanilla Bitters in a cocktail captures of the spirit and the essence of the sunny, sandy, smoggy, glitzy, palm-lined, suburban-sprawl, paved chaparral, melting pot of the Los Angeles Metro Area in Southern California—known to newscasters and locals as The Southland.
Much like the city's residents, most ingredients are imported, with the exception of the bitters, which comes straight outta Mar Vista (or their lesser, but still amazing substitute Green Bar Vanilla Bitters, which comes from DTLA). The official ingredients of this drink are Wild Turkey 101 Rye Whiskey, Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, DOM Benedictine and Drunken Crane's Chicory & Vanilla Bitters. The Benedictine, a liqueur exclusively made by monks, represents the missionaries that settled California. The Mezcal is a reminder of the Mexican territory of Alta California. The Kentucky Rye represents the manifest destiny and migration to the west. And the California Bitters are a product of passion turned into a business, something that many Angelinos—adopted and native, alike—strive to do. The combination of all four is as amazing as it is delicious.
So mix up a Southland, and raise a glass to endless summers and boulevards of dreams. Here's to hoping the San Andreas stays dormant, the water stay potable and that our California dreamin' comes true. Cheers!
Recipe:
1 oz Rye Whiskey (Wild Turkey 101 Rye)
1 oz Mezcal (Del Maguey Vida Mezcal)
0.5 oz Benedictine
2 dashes Chicory & Vanilla Bitters (semi-optional)
Stir with ice. Strain into rocks glass over large ice.
Follow Us!
facebook.com/DistinguishedSpirits
instagram.com/distinguishedspirits
twitter.com/DistinguishedSp
pinterest.com/DistinguishedSp
Featured in this Episode:
Wild Turkey 101 Rye Whiskey
wildturkeybourbon.com
campariamerica.com/whiskey-lovers-rejoice-wild-turkey-101-rye-makes-its-highly-anticipated-return
Del Maguey Vida Mezcal
delmaguey.com/vida
DOM Benedictine
benedictinedom.com/usa/en/home.aspx
Drunken Crane Chicory & Vanilla Bitters
thedrunkencrane.com/the-drunken-crane-bitters
Bar Tools:
Schott-Zwiesel Tossa Old Fashioned Glasses (set of 6)
amzn.to/1QkqgfZ
Schott-Zwiesel Tossa Old Fashioned Glass (single glass)
amzn.to/1AJlOW0
OXO Graduated Double Jigger
amzn.to/1EP3Cp8
Hawthorne Strainer
amzn.to/1FfK2mB
Mixing Glass
amzn.to/1QgQ7oN
Barspoon
amzn.to/1FfLxB4










