Southland - an Original Cocktail Inspired by Los Angeles @DistinguishedSpirits
Southland - an Original Cocktail Inspired by Los Angeles  @DistinguishedSpirits
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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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)
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Schott-Zwiesel Tossa Old Fashioned Glass (single glass)
amzn.to/1AJlOW0

OXO Graduated Double Jigger
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Hawthorne Strainer
amzn.to/1FfK2mB

Mixing Glass
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Barspoon
amzn.to/1FfLxB4
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Southland - an Original Cocktail Inspired by Los Angeles

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