Our good friend Pete Wagner, Ambassador to Brown-Forman for the State of Ohio, stopped in the Mix Studio Bar to talk about the Kentucky Derby, which is scheduled to run at its normal time this year at 50% capacity on Saturday, May 1st. Pete treated Michelle and Mix listeners to 4 of the official cocktails of the Kentucky Derby that you can make easily at home, the classic Mint Julep, the Woodford Reserve Twin Spires, the Oaks Lily, and the $1000 Mint Julep. Check out all the recipes below so you can make and enjoy the official drinks of the Kentucky Derby while you watch with friends or at home.
Mint Julep – You can’t have the Derby without the traditional “Mint Julep” made featuring Old Forester, simple syrup, and fresh mint leaves.
- 2oz Old Forester
- .75oz simple syrup
- 8-10 mint leaves
- 3 mint sprigs for garnish
- crushed ice
Woodford Spire – named after the twin spires at Churchill Downs, this drink is for those who don’t care for mint and features Woodford Reserve, fresh lemonade, and cranberry juice.
- 1.5oz Woodford Reserve
- 2oz lemonade
- 1oz Cranberry juice
- lemon twist garnish
- crushed ice
Oaks Lily – for those who aren’t fans of bourbon, this drink features the smooth and crisp Finlandia Vodka, cranberry juice, and sweet & sour mix.
- 1.25oz Finlandia Vodka
- 1oz sweet and sour mix
- .25oz Triple Sec
- 3oz Cranberry Juice
- crushed ice
$1,000 Mint Julep – Pete spares no expense in teaching you the secret recipe to this year’s custom Mint Julep featuring Woodford Reserve, cherry juice, vanilla bean pod, mint, and a dash of powdered sugar.
- 2oz Woodford Reserve
- .5oz cherry juice
- .5 vanilla bean pod (cut into small segments)
- 1tsp powdered sugar
- mint sprig, cherry, and vanilla bean pod for garnish
- crushed ice
**Please remember to drink responsibly