Indiana's Signature Cocktail: How the Elmo Cola Took the Nation by Storm

St. Elmo's Steakhouse in Indiana has been a culinary icon since 1902, but it wasn't until recently that the restaurant gained nationwide attention for its signature cocktail, the Elmo Cola.

The drink was created by hospitality consultant Tim Kirkland, who was hired by the Huse family to revamp their cocktail menu. The Elmo Cola is a combination of bourbon infused with vanilla, maraschino cherries, and cherry juice, topped with Coca-Cola.

Since its introduction in 2020, the Elmo Cola has become a sensation, selling about 75 cocktails per night at St. Elmo's. The drink has also been replicated by bars and restaurants across the country, with many people sharing their own versions on social media.

The Huse family has capitalized on the success of the Elmo Cola by bottling and canning it, making it available in stores and online. While the bottled version requires the addition of cola to complete the cocktail, the canned version is ready to drink.