Southern Cocktail Recipes From Our Culinary Team at The Cliffs

At The Cliffs, the livin’ is sweet –– and with a cocktail in hand, it’s even sweeter! So whether you’re hosting a private dinner party in your charming Carolina mountain home, or simply looking to unwind after a long day spent out on Lake Keowee, here are seven Southern cocktails for you to sip on.  

Seven Specialty Southern Cocktails 

Our expert bartenders put a fresh new spin on seven classic Southern cocktails. Inspired by each of our seven communities at The Cliffs, each has its own personality that reflects the character and charm of the community.

1. Wild “Beary” Mist –– The Cliffs at Glassy

The flavors of this berry-fresh cocktail were created with the mountains at heart. Sip on this as you imagine yourself picking wild berries in a wooded area overlooking the mountains. 

Ingredients: 

• 2 ounces New Amsterdam Gin 
• .25 ounce elderflower liqueur, twice infused with rosemary, cucumber, and wild berry tea 
• .5 ounce simple syrup 
• 1 lime wedge, squeezed 
• Splash of ginger beer 
• Splash of tonic 

Combine all ingredients and garnish with rosemary and blackberry. 

2. Copper’s Transfusion –– The Cliffs at Mountain Park

Named after Mountain Park’s canine mascot, Copper, this is one of our Southern cocktails you’ll want to toast to your special four-legged friend. 

Ingredients: 

• 2 ounces Tito’s Vodka 
• .5 ounce ginger syrup
• 1 ounce seltzer 
• 1 ounce grape juice 

Combine all ingredients and serve chilled over ice. Garnish with sweet cherries and candied ginger.

3. Ben’s Bloody Bunker –– The Cliffs Valley 

After playing a round of golf at The Cliffs Valley course, you will need to make this drink. Named after one of the most challenging parts of the Ben Wright course –– the bunker on hole eight –– this drink will help you get your spirits back. 

Ingredients: 

• 3 ounces bourbon 
• .75 ounce honey and sage-infused simple syrup

Stir, chill, and pour into a rocks glass, over an ice ball. Garnish with orange peel and fresh sage leaves. 

4. The Lake Keowee Tiki –– The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards

No need to go somewhere tropical to have a good time, simply enjoy this drink on the sandy shores of Lake Keowee. 

Ingredients: 

• 1.5 ounces Captain Morgan Spiced Rum 
• .5 ounce Parrot Bay Coconut Rum 
• ¼ to ½ cup fresh pineapple 
• 2 maraschino cherries 
• 4 drops Bittermens Elemakule Tiki Bitters 
• ½ lemon 
• ½ lime 

In a cocktail shaker, muddle pineapple and one cherry with the juice of half a lime and half a lemon. Add rum and bitters with a small amount of ice. Shake, then strain over an iced rocks glass. Garnish with a cherry and a wedge of lime and a wedge of pineapple.  

5. Springs’ Martini –– The Cliffs at Keowee Springs 

Sipping on your refreshing Springs’ martini pool-side –– now that’s lake living at its finest! 

Ingredients: 

• 1.5 ounces Grey Goose vodka
• .5 ounce limoncello 
• .5 ounce fresh lime juice
• .5 ounce rosemary simple syrup 
• 1.5 ounces pink grapefruit juice 

Shake with ice and strain. Then, garnish with a lemon wheel and rosemary sprig. 

6. Old Smokey Manhattan –– The Cliffs at Keowee Falls

Smooth and smokey, just like those Blue Ridge Mountains outside your window. This classic is sure to impress guests visiting your Carolina mountain home.

Ingredients: 

• 2 ounces Maker’s Mark Bourbon 
• 1 ounce sweet vermouth 
• 3 dashes Angostura 
• 3 dashes Angostura Orange  

Place all ingredients in a smoker with cherry wood chips; smoke to taste and garnish with a cherry. 

7. Barrel-Aged Manhattan –– The Cliffs at Walnut Cove

A Southern twist on a contemporary classic –– this cocktail is rich in both flavor and character, just like Asheville, a short drive away.  

Ingredients: 

• 2 ounces of whiskey that’s been aged one month (along with sweet vermouth, bitters, and charred oranges) in The Tavern’s 10-liter cherry barrel. 

Serve smoked or on the rocks. 

The Culinary Experience at The Cliffs 

Our seven private communities in the Blue Ridge Mountains each offer unique cuisine inspired by their own local flavor and charm. Crafted by our personal culinary team, our high-end menus offer a contemporary spin on some of the region’s most beloved dishes. 

In order to deliver exceptional quality, our chefs have partnered with local farmers and artisans to include only the finest local meats and fish, exquisite cheeses, and fresh seasonal produce in our offerings. In fact, we even source some of our ingredients from our own organic farms located at The Cliffs.  

For those who enjoy the experience of preparing recipes on their own, The Cliffs Culinary program holds cooking classes for members to learn some of their tips and tricks in the kitchen. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy all the mouthwatering dishes that you create!   

The Wine Experience at The Cliffs 

Wine connoisseur? Pair your culinary adventure with our wine experience and you have yourself an unforgettable meal. Our wine cellar has been stocked by our knowledgeable sommeliers –– 12 in all –– each ready to provide you with their expert advice on the best possible pairing for your meal. 

In addition to our experts, we also offer access to one of the many private social clubs at The Cliffs –– our wine club. Here, you have the opportunity to connect with those who share your passion for all things wine. The Cliffs Wine Consortium allows you to learn about our wine collection, taste the latest additions, and socialize with other members. This will allow you to enjoy and appreciate wine on a deeper level than ever before.  

Become a Part of The Cliffs Private Community.

When you find your dream mountain home at The Cliffs, you too can become an exclusive member of our community and start enjoying the lifestyle a club membership affords.   

Finding your home at The Cliffs is the first step to becoming a member. Our options are flexible, allowing you to decide between building a custom luxury home that’s uniquely your own or finding a turn-key property that ticks every box on your wishlist.  

If you choose to build, the process is simple and straightforward thanks to our vast selection of homesites and many building options. Our Preferred Builders Program and Cliffs Builders both have the experience to make each step of building a home as seamless as possible. 

If you are searching for a quicker way to come home to The Cliffs, take a look at our move-in-ready properties located throughout Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. We invite you to visit one of our communities and experience it for yourself. Contact our team today to schedule your private tour.