Photo: karenfoleyphotography, Getty Images.
The Kentucky Derby has been known for lightning-fast horses, big hats, and mint juleps since 1875. But unless you’re an equestrian or a fashionista, what you’re probably looking forward to most during the Run for the Roses are the cocktails. These drinks will enhance your viewing of “the greatest two minutes in sports” and take even less time than that to prepare.
6 New Kentucky Derby Cocktails:
Derby Season
Photo: Jim Beam.
Ingredients:
- 2 parts Jim Beam Black
- 3/4 part lemon juice
- 3/4 part simple syrup
- 1/2 part dry rosé
Preparation:
Stir Jim Beam Black, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a mixing glass. Pour over ice and top with rosé. Garnish with a lemon peel.
Cocktail by Jim Beam.
Twisted Julep
Photo: Jim Beam.
Ingredients:
- 2 parts Jim Beam Black
- 1/2 part peach nectar
- Muddled blueberries and mint with a touch of brown sugar
Preparation:
In a double old fashioned glass, muddle the mint and brown sugar. Add the blueberries and muddle again. Add crushed ice and Jim Beam Black. Stir to distribute mint. Top with crushed ice. Garnish with blueberries and a mint sprig.
Cocktail by Jim Beam.
Also: 10 Delicious Cinco de Mayo Cocktails
Spring Manhattan
Photo: Jim Beam.
Ingredients:
- 2 parts Jim Beam Black
- 1/2 part aperitif wine
- 1/2 part sweet vermouth
Preparation:
Stir all ingredients with ice in a mixing glass. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Cocktail by Jim Beam.
Kentucky Derby
Photo: Jesse Hendrix-Inman
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 ounces Four Roses bourbon
- 1/2 ounce sorghum syrup
- 2 ounces fresh pink grapefruit juice
- Grapefruit twist
Preparation:
In a mixing glass, add bourbon, honey syrup and grapefruit juice with ice; shake. Strain into martini glass and garnish with grapefruit twist.
Cocktail by The Brown Hotel.
Bourbini
Photo: Jesse Hendrix-Inman
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce Heaven Hill 6 year bourbon
- 2 dashes peach bitters
- 1/2 ounce Mathilde Peche peach liqueur
- Sparkling wine to top off
Preparation:
Shake ingredients with ice, strain into flute, top with sparkling wine and garnish with mint sprig.
Cocktail by Doc Crow’s.
Aviator Shades
Photo: Lola.
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce Copper & Kings apple brandy
- 1/2 ounce Cynar
- 1/2 ounce Amaro Averna
- 1 ounce grapefruit juice
- 1 bar spoon pomegranate molasses
- 2 dashes Angostura
- 1 dash hopped grapefruit bitters (for garnish)
Preparation:
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake for 10 seconds. Double strain into a coupe glass and garnish with hopped grapefruit bitters.
Cocktail by Lola beverage director Nic Christiansen.
