It’s that time of the year again, where we don our best hats and get ready to watch the most exciting two minutes in sports – the Kentucky Derby! With the 149th edition of the race coming up, it’s time to start thinking about the drinks you’ll be serving at your Derby party.
To help you out, we invited our friend Whiskey Pete, Pete Wagner, from Brown-Forman to Mix Studio Bar to teach us how to make the official drinks of the Kentucky Derby. From the classic Mint Julep to the newly added Herradura Horseshoe Margarita, here’s how you can impress your guests with your mixology skills.
- Mint Julep: No Kentucky Derby party is complete without a Mint Julep. Traditionally served in a silver cup, the Mint Julep features Old Forester, simple syrup, and fresh mint leaves. To make the perfect Mint Julep, fill a glass with crushed ice, add in a few fresh mint leaves, and gently smack them to release the oils. Add in 2 oz of Old Forester and .75 oz of simple syrup. Stir until the glass is frosted and top with more crushed ice. Garnish with a mint sprig.
- Woodford Spire: For those who aren’t fans of mint, the Woodford Spire is the perfect alternative. Named after the twin spires atop Churchill Downs, this cocktail features Woodford Reserve, fresh lemonade, and cranberry juice. To make the Woodford Spire, fill a glass with crushed ice, add in 1.5 oz of Woodford Reserve, 2 oz of lemonade, and 1 oz of cranberry juice. Stir well and garnish with a lemon twist.
- Oaks Lily: The Oaks Lily is the official drink of the Kentucky Oaks, which takes place the day before the Derby featuring filly races. To make the Oaks Lily, fill a glass with crushed ice, add in 1.25 oz of Finlandia Vodka, .25 oz of Triple Sec, 1 oz of sweet and sour mix, and 3 oz of cranberry juice. Enjoy!
- Herradura Horseshoe Margarita: This year marks the 50th anniversary of Secretariat, known as the greatest racehorse of all time. In celebration, the Derby has added a fourth official drink to the lineup – the Herradura Horseshoe Margarita. This drink features Herradura Tequila, fresh squeezed lime juice, and agave nectar. To make the Herradura Horseshoe Margarita, fill a glass with ice, add in 2 oz of Herradura Tequila, 1 oz of fresh squeezed lime juice, and 0.75 oz of agave nectar. Stir well and garnish with a lime wheel.
Fun Derby Facts:
- Ice was a symbol of status in the early days of the Kentucky Derby. Overfilling the official Derby drinks with ice meant you had money. Today, the Derby drinks continue to be served filled with ice as a tradition.
- Smacking the mint leaves brings out the oils and essence of the flavor better than muddling it in the glass.
- This year marks the 50th anniversary of Secretariat – the 9th winner of the Triple Crown who set the fastest time record in all three races in 1973.
Now that you know how to make all four official drinks of the Kentucky Derby, it’s time to invite your friends over and throw the ultimate Derby party. Don’t forget to wear your best hat and please enjoy responsibly!