Guide to Local Seasonal Cocktails in Liberty County

When visiting Liberty County, grabbing a drink is a must, but why not take it a step further? For example, you can make your own cocktail using local ingredients right in your Airbnb or hotel. Even better, bring home a few products and enjoy the taste of Liberty County later. No matter what you choose, we’ve put together a guide to some of the area’s best signature drinks. Keep reading!

Summer

A cold glass of bourbon-spiked peach tea is one of our all-time favorite drinks. Because of its sweet tea and bourbon blend, paired with fresh Georgia peaches, it makes the perfect refreshment to cool you off on a hot summer night. In fact, this drink is a must-try for anyone looking to beat the heat with southern charm.

Make the perfect glass of Bourbon Spiked Peach Tea:

• 1 tea bag or a scoop of loose tea
• 2 cups of water
• Pure cane syrup to taste
• 1 shot of bourbon (1.5 ounces)
• 2 peach slices

You can get your peaches & other fresh fruits from Granny Smith’s Farmers Market.

Instructions:

1. Pour 2 cups of water into a small saucepan.
2. Add tea bag & peach slices & bring to a boil.
3. Just as water comes to a boil, remove it from the heat and cover it to steep.
4. Allow the mixture to steep for 10 minutes.
5. Pour the tea into a pitcher & add syrup to taste. (If using loose tea, you will either need to strain the tea leaves or put them in a tea infuser.)
6. Stir well.

 

Fall

Our friends at The Parrot & Frog in downtown Hinesville make a delicious Bloody Mary and have kindly shared their recipe so you can try it yourself. Also, don’t forget to stop by and visit them to enjoy their amazing drinks in person!

Craft a Bloody Mary Perfect for Cool Weather:

• Celery salt
• Lemon and lime
• Dash of garlic powder
• 1 oz olive juice
• 1 oz pickle juice
• 1/2 oz steak sauce (optional)
• 2 Dashes of hot sauce (optional)
• 1 1/2 oz Tito’s

Instructions:

1. Rim your serving glass with celery salt for a savory touch.
2. In a separate pint glass, muddle fresh lemon and lime wedges to release their juices.
3. Add a dash of garlic powder, 1 oz of olive juice and 1 oz of pickle juice for that signature briny flavor.
4. For extra depth, mix in ½ oz of steak sauce (optional) and a couple dashes of your favorite hot sauce (also optional).
5. Pour in 1½ oz of Tito’s vodka
6. Fill a shaker cup with ice.
7. Add Zing Zang’s Bloody Mary mix, leaving some room at the top.
8. Shake well until the shaker tin feels cold to the touch.
9. Fill your serving glass with fresh ice.
10. Strain the mixture into the serving glass.
11. Garnish with your favorites—you can use lemon, lime, olives and celery.
12. Finish with a dash or two of black pepper on top for a little extra kick.

Cheers!

 

Winter

Winter isn’t complete without a warm drink in hand. Zum Rosenhof, an authentic German restaurant in downtown Hinesville, serves one of the best cups of Glühwein in the area. This traditional German beverage is made with GlühFix, a naturally pure mulled wine spice blend. If you’d like to try making it yourself, you’re in luck. You can pick up GlühFix at SpeiseKammer, Zum Rosenhof’s very own German grocery store located right next door.

Here’s how to make a delicious cup of Glühwein:

• 1 bottle of wine, burgundy
• 1/2 liter of water
• 5-6 bags of GlühFix
• 3 sticks of cinnamon

• 1 orange cut into 1/4 slices

• 3/4 cups of sugar

Instructions:

1. Put everything in a pot.
2. Heat it up for at least 20 minutes or even hours in a slow cooker. Be sure not to boil!
3. Pour into a mug and enjoy.

Das ist lecker!

Spring

Recipe source: The Kitchn

If we’re lucky, spring brings everyone’s favorite kind of weather — sunny and 75 degrees. As the temperatures rise, one of the best ways to enjoy it is with a refreshing cocktail in hand. We’ve borrowed this recipe from The Kitchn, so you can sip and savor it right here in Liberty County.

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons boiling water
• 1/2 cup bourbon (4 ounces)
• 1 1/2 lemons, juiced (about 4 tablespoons or 2 ounces)

You can pick up fresh local honey at the Hinesville Farmers Market, held every Thursday from 3–7 p.m. (March through October) in Bradwell Park. For the best flavor, we also recommend using a good Southern bourbon whiskey—it adds that perfect regional touch!

Instructions:

• Add honey to a small jar or mixing bowl, then pour in the boiling water. Whisk well until it becomes a thin syrup. Stir in the bourbon and lemon juice. You can refrigerate the mixture until you’re ready to use it.
• When ready to serve, shake the mixture with ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into two rock glasses over large ice cubes.
• Allow the tea to cool to room temperature.
• Pour tea over ice, add 1 shot of bourbon & stir.
• Enjoy!

Grab everything you need to make one of our favorite cocktails yourself. No matter the season, we guarantee you’ll love every one of these tasty beverages! If you’d rather have a professionally mixed drink, come #ExploreLiberty — we’ll be happy to serve you. Before you know it, you’ll be coming back each season for more!