Raise a Glass to Southern Hospitality

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COCKTAILS, SOUTHERN STYLE: Pours, Drinks, Sips, and Bites
By Belinda Smith-Sullivan
Gibbs Smith / March 2025
Hardcover / $21.99
ISBN: 9781423666059
For Media Inquiries, review copies and to schedule an interview, contact:
Trina Kaye – The Trina Kaye Organization
TrinaKaye@tkopr.com / 310-963-3964
Raise a Glass to Southern Hospitality – A New Cocktail Book Celebrates the Art of Mixing Drinks with a Southern Flair
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Get ready to sip, savor, and celebrate with the ultimate guide to Southern-inspired cocktails and entertaining! COCKTAILS, SOUTHERN STYLE: Pours, Drinks, Sips, and Bites by renowned chef Belinda Smith-Sullivan, brings together approximately 90 recipes for classic cocktails, innovative flavor-profile drinks, and a bonus chapter packed with delectable nibbles to pair with your beverages. The book is a toast to the unmatched charm of Southern hospitality, where no drink is ever served without a perfectly paired treat.
COCKTAILS, SOUTHERN STYLE offers a wide variety of recipes to suit all tastes for any occasion. Whether hosting a lively celebration, enjoying a leisurely brunch, or relaxing on the porch with friends, COCKTAILS, SOUTHERN STYLE provide the perfect drink to elevate the moment. Categories include:
Celebration Cocktails: Perfect for toasts and festivities.
Brunch Favorites: Start your day with a Southern twist.
Afternoon Porch Sippers: Relax with refreshing classics.
            Five O’Clock Somewhere: Timeless drinks with modern updates.
            Spritzes, Smashes, and Farts: Vibrant and effervescent creations.
            Shandies and Beer Cocktails: Unique spins on familiar favorites.
            Mocktails and Non-Alcoholic Beverages: Fun, flavorful options for everyone.
Some of the drinks found in the book include:
  • Swamp Water
  • Tennessee Iced Tea
  • Southern Belle Martini
  • Ginger Shandy
  • Mississippi Bourbon Punch
In addition to delightful drinks, Smith-Sullivan includes recipes for infused vodkas, simple syrups, and an in-depth look at the structure of a cocktail, complete with techniques and equipment tips to elevate your bartending skills.
But no Southern soiree is complete without snacks! The bonus chapter features mouthwatering recipes for Mini Hot Browns, Pimento Cheese and Tomato Sliders, Sausage Roll Poppers, and Crab Hush Puppies—ensuring your guests have plenty of delicious bites to accompany their drinks.
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“This book isn’t just a collection of cocktail recipes; it’s a celebration of Southern culture and hospitality,” says Smith-Sullivan. “Every drink and dish are crafted to bring people together, spark joy, and create unforgettable moments.”
 BELINDA SMITH-SULLIVAN is a chef, food writer, spice blends entrepreneur, and a commercially rated pilot. She has a culinary arts degree from Johnson & Wales University and writes a monthly column for South Carolina Living magazine. She also is featured on South Carolina Living’s website with monthly how-to videos. Smith-Sullivan is an active member of the Southern Foodways Alliance, International Association of Culinary Professionals, American Culinary Federation, and Les Dames d’Escoffier. She lives in Winston-Salem, NC.
Try this delicious sip of Southern hospitality.
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CIDER SIDECAR
This recipe takes the traditional sidecar combination of cognac, Cointreau, and lemon and adds one of the South’s favorite nonalcoholic beverages to the mix. Apple cider just turned into a grown-up treat.
SERVES 1
2 ounces fresh apple cider
2 ounces cognac
1 ounce Cointreau
1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
Lemon twists, for rimming and garnish
Granulated sugar, for rimming
Apple wheels (optional)
GLASS: champagne coupe
Pour the cider, cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice into a shaker, and top with ice.
Shake until very chilled. Rub the rim of the glass with a piece of lemon zest, then dip the rim of the glass into the sugar.
Strain the cocktail into the coupe and garnish with lemon twist and apple wheels (if using).
Recipe and photo may be reprinted with the following credit:
Recipe and photo reprinted with permission from Cocktails, Southern Style by Belinda Smith-Sullivan, Gibbs Smith March 2025