6 Kentucky Derby Cocktails For “The Greatest Two Minutes In Sports”

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.

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