Race-Day Cocktails

Triple Crown Cocktails

The Derby isn't the only leg of the Triple Crown with a signature drink. Watch the horses run with a cocktail tailored for each event. You'll have an instant party as synonymous with Derby Day as distinctive hats.

Mint Juleps for Derby Day

The Kentucky Derby is one of the grandest sporting events in the South, and the mint julep is its calling card. The classic mint julep is served in sterling cups, but if you don’t have enough for your party, use glass tumblers, which show off the amber bourbon and muddled mint.

When making a Mint Julep or Basil Julep, use crushed ice, and pack into the cup tightly to keep the drink very cold, causing the cup to frost evenly. (Hold the cup at the rim while making to avoid fingerprints on the frosted cup.) To make crushed ice: Fill a 1-gal. heavy-duty zip-top plastic bag half full with ice; seal. Crush ice using a rolling pin or heavy skillet.

• Recipe: Classic Mint Julep

Bourbon Smash

Add flair to your cocktail party with the Bourbon Smash: crushed ice and bourbon combined with the sweetness of raspberries and the fresh flavor of mint.

• Recipe: Bourbon Smash

Black-eyed Susan Cocktails for Preakness

This cocktail’s name is taken from the flowers used to make the blanket that drapes the winning horse at the Preakness in Baltimore, Maryland. Made with orange and pineapple juice, vodka, light rum, and orange liqueur, it's a Plimlico winner in our book too.

• Recipe: Black-eyed Susan Cocktail

Bourbon Cider Sour

Looking for something impressive yet easy to mix up for your party? Simply stir together four ingredients: bourbon, apple cider, orange juice and sugar, then serve over ice. Garnish with thin apple slices for an elegant finish.

• Recipe: Bourbon Cider Sour

Reach for Long Island Iced Tea at Belmont Stakes

At the Belmont Stakes it’s Long Island Iced Tea. Serve this stiff drink in a martini glass to encourage sipping and get in the New York racing mood.

• Recipe: Long Island Iced Tea

Slushy Whiskey Sours

Try a refreshing spin on a classic mixed drink featuring frozen orange juice, limeade and lemonade.

• Recipe: Slushy Whiskey Sours

How to Muddle

You'll need to know how to “muddle," which means to crush or mash ingredients with a spoon to release flavor. A bar tool called a “muddler” can be used (its shape reminds us of a mini baseball bat) or use a wooden spoon.

 

Moonshine-Cherry Blush

Basil-Lemon Moonshine is great by itself on the rocks, but our Moonshine-Cherry Blush recipe will certainly be difficult to pass up.

• Recipe: Moonshine-Cherry Blush
• Base Recipe: Basil-Lemon Moonshine