Race-Day Cocktails and Drink Recipes

Hector Sanchez

These signature drinks score a trifecta with us.

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The SL Mint Julep and The Blush Lily

Hector Sanchez

Recipe: The SL Mint Julep

Recipe: The Blush Lily

On race day, Churchill Downs serves up 120,000 mint juleps and 40,000 of the lesser-known Oaks Lily cocktails. Sterling julep cups are classic, but these cocktails are so pretty—why not show them off in highball glasses?

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Derby Julep

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Derby Julep

Its namesake may be the fastest two minutes in sports, but that doesn't mean this cocktail should be short-lived. Consider our derby julep a cocktail hour mainstay all year long.

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Mint Julep Sweet Tea

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Mint Julep Sweet Tea

This iced cocktail features the best of two classic Southern drinks: the mint julep and sweet tea. For best results, sip in a rocking chair on a front porch somewhere.

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Triple Crown Cocktails

Beth Dreiling Hontzas / Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey / Food Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns

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.

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Classic Mint Julep

Recipe: Classic Mint Julep

Mint juleps are the quintessential Southern cocktail. All you need for this classic version is fresh mint, mint simple syrup, and bourbon. Leftover simple syrup keeps refrigerated about one week and perfectly sweetens iced tea. See our tips and techniques for stirring up a mint julep.

Step-by-Step Video: Make a Classic Mint Julep

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Moonshine-Cherry Blush

Photo: Brown Cannon III

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

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