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The Daily Dish Southern Charm

We Finally Know Why Patricia Altschul's Signature Drink is a Gin Martini

According to the Southern Charm matriarch, gin is not "déclassé," like a certain other kind of liquor that comes from a "crummy little potato."

By Hannah Chambers
Patricia Altschul Martinis

Cocktail hour is a very fabulous ordeal at the Charleston home of Patricia Altschul. (In fact, even her Pomeranian, Peaches, sips her water from an exquisite water fountain.) So of course, it’s no surprise that the Southern Charm matriarch and her butler, Michael Kelcourse, have laid down some important rules regarding liquor. 

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During the November 5 episode, Patricia welcomed newbie John Pringle to her home for a cocktail hour with her son, Whitney Sudler-Smith. Patricia enjoyed one of Michael’s signature martinis, while Whitney sipped on a glass of aerated wine.  However, when it came time to collect John’s drink order, Michael revealed why Patricia’s martinis are always made with gin. 

“We don’t do vodka,” Michael informed John when he requested a beverage. “Gin is botanical and is very healthy. Vodka is made out of a crummy little potato that has been in the filth.” 

“So déclassé,” chimed in Pat. 

While Patricia has a clear preference for gin (specifically, Beefeater), she has been known to swap out her favorite botanical beverage for other options she has deemed healthy. When she unfortunately ran out of her go-to liquor in May, she resorted to a “juice cleanse” in place of her “daily medicine.” 

“Since we ran out of my beloved Beefeater gin, I’ve resorted to drinking piña coladas with fresh pineapple,” she wrote in a May 27 Instagram caption. “Sort of a juice cleanse." 

That sure sounds like a pretty exciting juice cleanse! And although pineapple isn’t as “botanical” as her beloved Beefeater gin, it seems to be more acceptable than a dirty potato. 

Want more Southern Charm? New episodes air every Thursday at 9/8c or catch up on this season through the Bravo app.

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