‘A Southern original’: Lee’s Inlet Kitchen mixes it up for Cheerwine holiday campaign

‘A Southern original’: Lee’s Inlet Kitchen mixes it up for Cheerwine holiday campaign

When Cheerwine was searching for restaurants to provide a special cocktail for its national holiday campaign, the owners of Lee’s Inlet Kitchen in Murrells Inlet met the challenge.

Now, with the creation of the Cheer & Vine cocktail — approved by Santa himself, apparently — there’s one more reason to love the holidays on South Carolina’s Hammock Coast®.

Lee’s Inlet Kitchen is celebrating 77 years of serving local fresh seafood dishes and a variety of other cuisine. Adrian Dorman, co-owner of Lee’s with her sister, Ashton, said it’s an honor to be chosen for this holiday campaign.

“It’s lovely to be recognized for our commitment to quality and it’s always fun getting to shine a spotlight on new items or events,” Dorman said. “We’re just so thankful that visitors and locals alike continue to visit and support us and we’re humbled to be able to keep the family legacy going.”

A Lee’s Inlet Kitchen Family Tradition

Adrian and Ashton are the fourth generation of owners for this iconic family business, having taken over from their parents, Dexter and Kelly Dorman, in 2025.

“As the fourth generation, we’re trying our best to maintain the quality, consistency and hospitality that has kept us going for 77 years,” Dorman said. “We strive to create a welcoming, homey atmosphere where everyone feels like a part of our family.”

The new holiday cocktail is featured with its recipe on the Cheerwine website along with other cocktails and desserts from across the country. Dorman says the Lee’s Inlet Kitchen Cheerwine cocktail has a festive holiday feel with ingredients that pair nicely with the Cheerwine flavor.

Created to complement Cheerwine’s holiday punch – the soft drink mixed with ginger ale and pineapple juice — the drink adds several other ingredients for a festive holiday cocktail. Dorman said she got lucky with the first combination she tried and that became the Cheer & Vine cocktail.

“I didn’t want it to be too sweet, but I wanted it to have some depth, so I figured a nice dry red wine would be a great base,” she said. “Then, I spiced it up with a little ginger liqueur and a dash of Sambuca for some lift.”

A Bubbly Effervesence

Cheerwine is the oldest continuing soft drink run by the same family in the world. L.D. Peeler created Cheerwine in 1917 in Salisbury, North Carolina, amid a sugar shortage. His drive to start his own soft drink led him to a salesman from St. Louis who sold him a wild cherry flavor that blended well with other flavors. With the perfect taste secured, he needed a name. With a burgundy-red color and cheery disposition, the name “Cheerwine” simply made sense. The taste sensation known as Cheerwine was born. The Carolina-based cherry soda with a bubbly effervescence and one-of-a-kind taste became an instant hit.

The new Cheerwine-based cocktail is now part of the seasonal cocktail menu at Lee’s, which also includes homemade eggnog and an Apple Cider Mimosa.

Lee’s regular customers are already big fans of the new cocktail. Sherry Baker, a regular at the restaurant, was there the day that Dorman created the Cheer & Vine cocktail.

“The wine blends nicely with the punch and reduces the sweetness while the ginger adds a subtle spice at the end,” Baker said. “It’s a refreshing holiday drink, not overpowering, just very tasty, and it’s not too sweet or heavy as some holiday drinks can be.”

Even Santa Claus is raving about this holiday treat. Greg Calvert, who plays the part of Santa in many Murrells Inlet area events, dropped by Lee’s to check out the new Cheer & Vine cocktail and he said it passed the Santa test.

“It is smooth and sweet but not overly sweet,” Calvert said. “It is festive and definitely invokes the spirit of Christmas.”

He said Lee’s staff is on his nice list, for sure.

“They are on the nice list because they always try to do their very best,” he said. “That is my standard for all who are on my list.”

Joy Harper, vice president of marketing for Cheerwine and a fifth-generation founding family member, said when the company was seeking restaurants to participate in the National Holiday Campaign, Lee’s stood out as a Southern original, just like Cheerwine.

“We were thrilled when they said yes to teaming up and creating a fun, festive recipe using Cheerwine holiday punch,” Harper said. “We’re grateful to be part of the Georgetown County community’s holiday celebrations and to partner with a local favorite like Lee’s Inlet Kitchen.”

She said Cheerwine has always been about bringing people together, and the company enjoys shining a little extra spotlight on the incredible food, hospitality and small-business spirit that make this area special.

About Lee’s Inlet Kitchen

Lee’s Inlet Kitchen has a rich history that dates to its inception in 1948 by Eford and Pearl Lee. The restaurant has been a local favorite and has expanded its dining room six times to accommodate its growing popularity. The Lee family has maintained the tradition of preparing seafood in a Lowcountry-Murrells Inlet style, with many recipes handed down from generation to generation.

The restaurant is known for its fresh, local seafood, traditional Southern recipes, and family-style hospitality. Lee’s Inlet Kitchen has been recognized as the best seafood restaurant in South Carolina by Southern Living Magazine, highlighting its quality and taste. The restaurant continues to be a cherished part of the Murrells Inlet community, offering a taste of the past while serving fresh, local seafood.

Dorman said she and her family are thankful that visitors and locals alike continue to visit and support them.

“It’s just a great place to gather with friends and family. We’ve got plenty of room for large parties, office dinners, supper clubs, you name it, she said. “And what better time to celebrate than during the holidays?”

Lee’s Inlet Kitchen is located at 4460 Highway 17 Business in Murrells Inlet. For this season, it is open Wednesday through Sunday from 4:30 to 9 p.m. The restaurant will be closed for the month of January and will reopen in February. For more information, click here.

By Clayton Stairs / tourism manager for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina’s Hammock Coast®