SCARLETT AND RHETT RETURN

“Stars Fall On Atlanta”
75 Years of Gone With The Wind

By Doc Lawrence

Georgia Tourism's Kevin Langston and Emily Murray

ATLANTA-The book and movie are timeless. What a young reporter intended to throw away became, thanks to a manuscript rescued from rubbish by her husband, a saga for the ages. This year, Atlanta and all of Georgia celebrates the 75th anniversary of Gone With The Wind, Margaret Mitchell’s story of Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler. And the timing couldn’t be better. During this Civil War Sesquicentennial year, we recall that in 1864 Atlanta was besieged and destroyed, becoming the launching site for the “March to the Sea.”

For millions of readers and moviegoers, Scarlett and Rhett were never fictional. More than one critic has observed that Ms. O’Hara is forever a metaphor for the South, particularly Atlanta which came back from the ashes to occupy the status as the capital of the New South.

The Margaret Mitchell House, now a popular museum and event center operated by the Atlanta History Center faces fabled Peachtree Street,. Margaret Mitchell’s apartment is on the bottom floor and inside, on a small desk, is the ancient Remington typewriter she used to plunk out her story, word by word.

Margaret Mitchell's Typewriter

Georgia Tourism has a new Travel guide with a cover celebrating the 75th.. The Margaret Mitchell House has a new exhibit, “Stars Fell on Atlanta,” joining in the anniversary festivities, and expectations are for millions more visitors to come to Atlanta and Georgia searching for Tara and Miss Scarlett.

Just in time for all the fun, a new cocktail has emerged. It’s been a long time since the Southern Comfort-based Scarlett O’Hara cocktail was first served. Now, we have a modern cocktail tribute, “Scarlett’s Serenade", created by Atlanta’s gifted Vajra Stratigos of Fifth Restaurant Group. Here’s how to make it:

SCARLETT’S SERENADE
 Ingredients:
1.5 oz Dry Sack Medium Sherry
.5 oz Southern Comfort
.5oz Famous Grouse Scotch
.75 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
4 slices of ripe Georgia peach
.25 oz honey Syrup
Methode:

Scarlett's Serenade

Muddle sliced peaches into a highball glass, add ice. Add liquid ingredients and shake with ice till frosty and cold. Strain into rocks glass over muddled peaches and new ice. 
Atlanta’s legendary first lady is the namesake of a venerable cocktail, the Scarlett O’Hara. Using one of the original cocktail’s ingredients, Southern Comfort, we added Sherry, a favorite of Rhett Butler and a popular drink during Atlanta’s Civil War days, and finished with other ingredients for taste, balance and authenticity.