20 Kentucky Derby Cocktails Every Woman Needs to Try Before the Race Ends Updated 08/2026

Sip like a Southern belle, celebrate like a champion.

There is something undeniably magical about the Kentucky Derby. The perfectly pressed linen sundresses, the gravity-defying fascinators, the roar of the crowd as hooves thunder down the track at Churchill Downs. But let’s be honest: half the joy of Derby Day is in the glass you’re holding. Whether you’re watching from the infield at Louisville or hosting a glamorous hat party in your backyard, the right cocktail transforms a Saturday afternoon into an unforgettable occasion.

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The Kentucky Derby is often called “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” but the cocktail festivities stretch for an entire weekend. And while the legendary Mint Julep has reigned as queen since 1939, today’s Derby celebration has blossomed into a full cocktail garden, from blush-pink vodka sippers to smoky bourbon smashes bursting with seasonal fruit.

This guide is your ultimate companion to the 20 best Kentucky Derby cocktails you absolutely must try. Each one comes with a full recipe, step-by-step instructions, and enough gorgeous detail to fuel your imagination when it comes to planning, decorating, and, yes, eventually showing AI exactly what your perfect Derby drink looks like. Let’s raise a glass and get started.

The Fascinating History Behind the Glass

Before we shake, stir, and muddle our way through 20 incredible drinks, let’s appreciate just how storied this cocktail culture really is.

The Kentucky Derby was first run in 1875 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. From its earliest days, mint juleps were reportedly already flowing in the stands. The cocktail became the official drink of the Derby in 1939, the same year the track began noticing that guests were slipping those pretty commemorative glasses into their purses and coat pockets rather than leaving them behind. Instead of scolding anyone, Churchill Downs turned the souvenir glasses into a beloved tradition, and they have been selling them ever since.

Today, over 120,000 mint juleps are served across a single Derby weekend. That staggering pour requires more than 10,000 bottles of Kentucky bourbon, approximately 2,250 pounds of freshly harvested mint, and a jaw-dropping 475,000 pounds of ice. Since 1999, Woodford Reserve has been the exclusive official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby, its caramel-and-vanilla profile perfectly suited to the classic julep cup.

In 2006, Churchill Downs introduced a $1,000 premium Mint Julep for charity, served in gold-plated cups with silver straws, featuring mint imported from Ireland, sugar from Australia, and ice made from Bavarian Alpine spring water. The proceeds go toward supporting retired racehorses.

The word “julep” itself traces back through Arabic (“julab”) all the way to ancient Persian (“gulab”), meaning rosewater. A drink with this heritage deserves every bit of the ceremony we give it.

Now, let’s discover the full lineup of Derby-worthy cocktails waiting for you.

The Classic Mint Julep

The undisputed queen of the Kentucky Derby, the Mint Julep is simplicity perfected. Picture a frosty pewter or silver julep cup, so cold the outside blooms with ice crystals, filled with crushed ice, fragrant fresh mint, and smooth Kentucky bourbon. A dusting of powdered sugar on top, a generous sprig of mint as a garnish, and you have the most iconic cocktail in American sporting history.

The drink has a pale amber-gold color where the bourbon peeks through the ice. The aroma is intensely minty and herbal, with warm bourbon notes underneath. It is meant to be sipped slowly, savoring every cold, refreshing sip.

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Ingredients (serves 1):

• 2 oz Kentucky bourbon (Woodford Reserve recommended)
• 1 oz mint simple syrup (recipe below)
• Crushed ice (packed generously)
• Fresh mint sprigs for garnish
• Powdered sugar for dusting

For the mint simple syrup:

• 1 cup granulated white sugar
• 1 cup water
• 8 to 10 fresh mint sprigs

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Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Make the mint simple syrup at least one hour ahead, ideally overnight. Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar completely dissolves, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat, add the fresh mint sprigs, cover, and let steep for 30 minutes to overnight. Strain out the mint and refrigerate the syrup.
2. Take a silver or pewter julep cup (or a rocks glass if you don’t have one). Add 1 oz of the chilled mint simple syrup.
3. Pack the cup tightly with crushed ice until it mounds above the rim.
4. Pour 2 oz of bourbon directly over the ice.
5. Stir gently with a long spoon until the outside of the cup frosts over beautifully.
6. Tuck in several fresh mint sprigs as a garnish, pressing them gently so their oils release near your nose when you drink.
7. Dust the top lightly with powdered sugar. Serve immediately with a short straw.

The Oaks Lily

If the Mint Julep is the Derby queen, the Oaks Lily is her glamorous younger sister. Vibrant, berry-forward, and a gorgeous hot pink, this is the signature drink of the Kentucky Oaks, the race held the Friday before the Derby exclusively for three-year-old fillies. Every year, Churchill Downs “goes pink” to raise awareness for breast cancer research, and the Oaks Lily fits right into that spirit.

The drink is bright cranberry-pink, served over ice in a tall glass, garnished with a fresh blackberry and a lemon wedge. It is sweet, tart, and utterly refreshing, and it is frankly one of the most photogenic cocktails in the entire Derby lineup.

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Ingredients (serves 1):

• 1.5 oz vodka (Finlandia is the official sponsor)
• 1 oz sweet and sour mix
• 0.25 oz triple sec
• 3 oz cranberry juice
• Ice
• Blackberry and lemon wedge for garnish

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Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Fill a tall Collins glass or highball glass with ice cubes.
2. Pour the vodka directly over the ice.
3. Add the sweet and sour mix and the triple sec.
4. Pour the cranberry juice last, which creates a beautiful layered pink gradient as it settles through.
5. Stir gently with a long straw or bar spoon to combine.
6. Garnish with a fresh blackberry threaded onto a cocktail pick and a bright lemon wedge on the rim.
7. Serve immediately and admire the color before you sip.

The Woodford Reserve Spire

Named after the iconic twin spires of Churchill Downs, this cocktail was created by Woodford Reserve to celebrate Derby season. It brings together the warm depth of bourbon with the bright freshness of lemonade and the ruby sweetness of cranberry juice. Served over crushed ice in a copper julep cup, it has the celebratory visual of pink lemonade dressed up for the races.

The color is a soft rosy-orange, like a sunset over the Kentucky hills. The copper cup frosts over from the cold, and a sprig of mint finishes the look. It is easy to make in large batches, making it perfect for Derby parties.

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Ingredients (serves 1):

• 2 oz Woodford Reserve bourbon
• 3 oz fresh lemonade
• 1 oz cranberry juice
• Crushed ice
• Fresh mint sprig for garnish

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Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Fill a copper julep cup or tall glass completely with crushed ice.
2. Pour the Woodford Reserve bourbon over the ice.
3. Add the fresh lemonade.
4. Slowly pour the cranberry juice over the back of a spoon so it floats on top in a pretty ruby layer.
5. Gently stir once or twice to marble the colors without fully mixing them.
6. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig tucked alongside the ice.
7. Serve immediately while the ice is still giving that gorgeous frost to the cup.

The Strawberry Mint Julep

This is the Mint Julep for those who love a little extra sweetness and a pop of spring color. Fresh strawberries are muddled right into the glass, releasing their deep red juice and floral sweetness, then layered with bourbon, mint, and crushed ice. The result is a blush-crimson cocktail with bright green mint peeking through the ice, absolutely stunning in a frosted julep cup.

The flavor is like sipping fresh-picked strawberries with a warm, smooth bourbon finish and a cool herbal exhale from the mint. This is the cocktail for strawberry lovers who want something a little more adventurous than the classic.

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Ingredients (serves 1):

• 2 oz bourbon
• 3 to 4 fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 6 fresh mint leaves
• 0.75 oz simple syrup
• Crushed ice
• Fresh mint sprig and a strawberry slice for garnish

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Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Place the sliced strawberries and fresh mint leaves in the bottom of a julep cup or rocks glass.
2. Add the simple syrup.
3. Muddle everything gently using a muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon. You want the strawberries well crushed and the mint bruised, releasing its oils. Do not over-muddle the mint or it turns bitter.
4. Pack the glass tightly with crushed ice until it mounds over the top.
5. Pour the bourbon over the ice in a slow, steady stream, letting it cascade through the fruit and ice.
6. Stir gently once or twice.
7. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and a fanned strawberry slice on the rim.
8. Serve with a short straw and enjoy immediately.

The Kentucky Mule

The Moscow Mule has a cooler, Southern cousin, and she goes by Kentucky. Swapping vodka for bourbon and serving everything in a frosty copper mug, the Kentucky Mule is spicy, citrusy, and deeply refreshing. The ginger beer provides effervescence and heat, the lime gives tartness, and the bourbon adds that unmistakable caramel-oak warmth. A few sprigs of fresh mint make it look right at home on Derby Day.

In appearance, the Kentucky Mule is amber-golden with tiny bubbles rising through the copper mug, always served with lots of ice and a bright lime wedge. It is one of the easiest Derby cocktails to make and one of the most crowd-pleasing.

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Ingredients (serves 1):

• 2 oz Kentucky bourbon (Jefferson’s Reserve or Woodford Reserve work beautifully)
• 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
• 4 oz ginger beer
• Crushed ice or ice cubes
• Lime wedge and fresh mint sprigs for garnish

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Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Fill a copper mug completely with crushed ice or ice cubes. The copper mug is not just decorative; it keeps the drink colder longer and adds to the experience.
2. Pour the bourbon directly over the ice.
3. Squeeze the fresh lime juice in.
4. Top with ginger beer, pouring slowly to preserve the carbonation.
5. Stir very gently, just once or twice, to combine without losing the bubbles.
6. Garnish with a lime wedge pressed onto the rim and two or three fresh mint sprigs tucked into the ice.
7. Serve immediately and enjoy the fizzy, spicy, bourbon warmth.

The Bourbon Smash

The Bourbon Smash is the cocktail that happens when a Mint Julep and a Whiskey Sour fall in love. It brings fresh lemon juice into the mint-and-bourbon equation, adding a bright citrus tang that makes everything sparkle. It is served in a rocks glass over ice, smashed with muddled mint and lemon, and it looks wonderfully rustic and fresh. As one spirits expert put it, you get a whiskey smash when you take the best parts of a mint julep and a whiskey sour and smash them together.

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Ingredients (serves 1):

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• 0.75 oz simple syrup
• 8 fresh mint leaves
• Ice
• Lemon wheel and mint sprig for garnish

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Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Place the fresh mint leaves in the bottom of a cocktail shaker.
2. Add the simple syrup and muddle the mint leaves gently, pressing to release their oils without shredding them.
3. Add the bourbon and fresh lemon juice to the shaker.
4. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
5. Fill a rocks glass with ice cubes or crushed ice.
6. Strain the cocktail into the glass, or pour it over a fine mesh strainer for a cleaner presentation.
7. Garnish with a lemon wheel perched on the rim and a fresh mint sprig.
8. Serve immediately.

The Blackberry Bourbon Smash

This variation on the classic smash turns a gorgeous deep purple from muddled fresh blackberries. The blackberries add both sweetness and a jammy depth that pairs beautifully with bourbon. The color is striking, ranging from violet to burgundy depending on how much of the berry juice makes it into the glass. It is gorgeous in a clear rocks glass over a large ice cube, with a few whole blackberries on a pick and a sprig of mint for contrast.

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Ingredients (serves 1):

• 2 oz bourbon
• 5 to 6 fresh blackberries, plus extra for garnish
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• 0.75 oz simple syrup
• 6 fresh mint leaves
• Ice
• Mint sprig for garnish

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Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Add the blackberries, mint leaves, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
2. Muddle firmly until the blackberries are fully broken down and the mint is well bruised.
3. Add the bourbon and fresh lemon juice.
4. Fill the shaker with ice and shake hard for 15 seconds.
5. Double-strain the cocktail through a fine mesh strainer into a rocks glass filled with ice. The double straining removes seeds and mint debris, leaving a jewel-toned drink.
6. Garnish with three blackberries on a cocktail pick and a mint sprig.
7. Serve immediately.

The Pomegranate Julep

Served in a pretty coupe glass instead of the traditional julep cup, the Pomegranate Julep is a sophisticated, blush-pink riff on the classic that looks absolutely spectacular at a Derby party table. Pomegranate juice adds tartness and a deep ruby hue, while fresh mint keeps it unmistakably in the julep family. It is colorful, refreshing, and a little more elegant, perfect for those who love the julep flavor but want something with a bit more cocktail-party glamour.

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Ingredients (serves 1):

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1 oz pomegranate juice
• 0.75 oz mint simple syrup
• Crushed ice
• Fresh mint sprig and pomegranate seeds for garnish

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Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare mint simple syrup in advance (see the Classic Mint Julep recipe above).
2. Combine the bourbon, pomegranate juice, and mint simple syrup in a cocktail shaker.
3. Add ice and shake well for 15 seconds.
4. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. The drink will be a gorgeous deep rose color.
5. Add a small handful of crushed ice on top if you prefer a colder, frostier finish.
6. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds floating on the surface.
7. Serve immediately and delight in the color.

The Cherry Vanilla Julep

This version of the Mint Julep was developed by Woodford Reserve and feels like a dessert in a cup. Cherry juice adds sweetness and a deep burgundy tint, while a half vanilla bean pod muddled into the glass releases warm, floral vanilla notes that mingle beautifully with bourbon. The result is rich, complex, and utterly indulgent.

The drink appears as a deep amber-ruby in the frosted silver cup, with a sprig of green mint and a whole cherry as the garnish. The vanilla bean pod peeking out through the crushed ice adds a beautiful rustic detail.

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Ingredients (serves 1):

• 2 oz Woodford Reserve bourbon
• 0.5 oz cherry juice (from a jar of maraschino cherries or fresh sour cherry juice)
• Half a vanilla bean pod, cut into small segments
• 1 teaspoon powdered sugar
• Crushed ice
• Fresh mint sprig, 1 whole cherry, and a vanilla bean segment for garnish

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Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Place the cherry juice, vanilla bean pod segments, and powdered sugar in the bottom of a julep cup.
2. Muddle gently together, pressing the vanilla bean pieces to release their seeds into the liquid.
3. Fill the julep cup two-thirds full with crushed ice.
4. Pour the bourbon over the ice.
5. Pack the remaining crushed ice on top until it mounds above the rim.
6. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig, a whole cherry on a pick, and a small piece of vanilla bean resting on the ice.
7. Serve immediately.

The Peach Bourbon Sweet Tea

This cocktail is the liquid embodiment of a Southern summer afternoon. Peach nectar, iced tea, bourbon, and a splash of peach schnapps come together in a drink that is as comfortable on a front porch as it is at the racetrack. It is tall, amber-gold, and topped with a peach slice, looking refreshingly casual despite being deeply delicious.

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Ingredients (serves 1):

• 2 oz bourbon
• 2 oz brewed black iced tea, cooled
• 2 oz peach nectar
• 0.5 oz peach schnapps
• 2 dashes peach bitters (optional)
• Ice
• Fresh peach slice and mint for garnish

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Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Brew a strong black tea and let it cool completely. A deep, tannic tea (like English Breakfast) works best to stand up to the bourbon.
2. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
3. Add the bourbon, cooled iced tea, peach nectar, peach schnapps, and bitters.
4. Shake well for 15 seconds until very cold.
5. Fill a tall glass with ice cubes and strain the cocktail over the ice.
6. Garnish with a fresh peach slice on the rim and a mint sprig.
7. Serve immediately.

The Seelbach Cocktail

Named after the historic Seelbach Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, this Prohibition-era gem is one of the most elegant cocktails in the Derby repertoire. It combines bourbon with orange liqueur, two kinds of bitters, and is topped with champagne, creating a complex, celebratory drink that belongs in a crystal flute. The Seelbach is effervescent, slightly bitter, citrusy, and beautifully balanced. It was famously referenced by F. Scott Fitzgerald, who drank it while writing “The Great Gatsby.”

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Ingredients (serves 1):

• 1 oz bourbon
• 0.5 oz Cointreau or triple sec
• 7 dashes Angostura bitters
• 7 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
• 5 oz chilled dry champagne or Prosecco
• Orange peel for garnish

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Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Chill a champagne flute in the freezer for at least 10 minutes before making the cocktail.
2. Add the bourbon and Cointreau to the chilled flute.
3. Add both bitters, stirring gently once to combine.
4. Slowly pour the cold champagne or Prosecco down the side of the flute to preserve the bubbles.
5. Twist an orange peel over the glass to express its oils onto the surface of the drink, then perch it on the rim.
6. Do not stir after adding the champagne. Serve immediately.

The Derby Cocktail

Not to be confused with the Mint Julep, the Derby Cocktail is its own timeless classic, appearing as early as 1947 in Trader Vic’s Bartender’s Guide. This is a shaken cocktail served in a coupe or martini glass: bourbon, sweet vermouth, orange curaçao, and fresh lime juice. It is sophisticated, citrusy, and slightly sweet, with a beautiful amber-gold color and a garnish of fresh mint and a lime wedge. No muddling required.

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Ingredients (serves 1):

• 1.5 oz bourbon
• 0.5 oz sweet vermouth
• 0.5 oz orange curaçao
• 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
• Ice for shaking
• Fresh mint leaf and lime wedge for garnish

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Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Chill a coupe or cocktail glass by filling it with ice water while you prepare the drink.
2. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
3. Add the bourbon, sweet vermouth, orange curaçao, and fresh lime juice.
4. Shake vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds until the shaker is very cold to the touch.
5. Discard the ice water from the chilled glass.
6. Strain the cocktail into the coupe glass.
7. Garnish with a fresh mint leaf floating on the surface and a lime wedge on the rim.
8. Sip and enjoy this elegant little Derby classic.

The Kentucky Buck

Zesty, fruity, and just a little spicy, the Kentucky Buck is one of those cocktails that surprises people with how much personality it has. Fresh muddled strawberries, a squeeze of lemon, and spicy ginger beer are anchored by bourbon, creating a lively drink with beautiful strawberry-pink color and an effervescent finish. It is a fantastic choice for guests who are new to bourbon cocktails.

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Ingredients (serves 1):

• 2 oz bourbon
• 3 fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
• 0.5 oz simple syrup
• 4 oz ginger beer
• Ice
• Strawberry and lemon wheel for garnish

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Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Place the sliced strawberries in the bottom of a cocktail shaker.
2. Add the simple syrup and muddle the strawberries completely until they are a smooth pulp.
3. Add the bourbon and fresh lemon juice to the shaker.
4. Fill the shaker with ice and shake hard for 15 seconds.
5. Fill a copper mug or tall glass with ice.
6. Double-strain the cocktail over the ice to remove seeds.
7. Top with ginger beer, pouring gently to keep the bubbles.
8. Garnish with a strawberry and a lemon wheel. Serve immediately.

The Bourbon Old Fashioned

No cocktail is more timeless or more quintessentially bourbon-forward than the Old Fashioned. Dating back to 1806, it is one of the oldest recorded cocktails in American history. At the Derby, it represents the purist’s choice: whiskey, a touch of sweetness, aromatic bitters, and a wide orange peel expressing its citrus oils into the glass. It is dark, amber, and served over one large ice cube, which melts slowly and keeps the flavors from being diluted too quickly.

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Ingredients (serves 1):

• 2 oz bourbon
• 0.5 oz simple syrup (or 1 sugar cube)
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1 dash orange bitters
• 1 large ice cube
• Wide orange peel and a cocktail cherry for garnish

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Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Place a large ice cube in a heavy-bottomed rocks glass.
2. Add the simple syrup (or place a sugar cube in the glass and saturate it with the bitters before muddling it with a small splash of water).
3. Add both Angostura and orange bitters.
4. Pour in the bourbon.
5. Stir slowly with a bar spoon for about 30 seconds, until the drink is well chilled and slightly diluted.
6. Take a wide strip of orange peel and hold it over the glass, skin side down. Press firmly and twist to release the citrus oils, which will spray over the surface of the drink.
7. Rub the peel around the rim of the glass, then tuck it alongside the ice.
8. Add a cocktail cherry and serve.

The Man O’War

Named after the legendary racehorse who won 20 out of 21 races in 1920, this cocktail demands to be made with genuine Kentucky bourbon. It is a riff on the Derby Cocktail, featuring orange curaçao, sweet vermouth, lemon juice, and a splash of cherry juice that gives it a deep ruby-amber color. The Man O’War is bold, complex, and deeply satisfying, just like the horse it was named after.

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Ingredients (serves 1):

• 2 oz Kentucky bourbon
• 0.5 oz orange curaçao or Cointreau
• 0.5 oz sweet vermouth
• 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon cherry juice (optional, for color and sweetness)
• Ice for shaking
• Maraschino cherry for garnish

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Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Chill a coupe or cocktail glass.
2. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
3. Add the bourbon, orange curaçao, sweet vermouth, lemon juice, and cherry juice.
4. Shake firmly for 15 seconds.
5. Strain into the chilled glass.
6. Garnish with a maraschino cherry on a pick.
7. Serve immediately, toasting to one of the greatest racehorses that ever lived.

The Black-Eyed Susan

While technically the official cocktail of the Preakness Stakes (the second race in the Triple Crown, held in Maryland), the Black-Eyed Susan is so beloved by the Derby crowd that it regularly appears at Churchill Downs parties. Created in 1973, it features bourbon, vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, and sour mix, creating a tropical, fruity, deeply orange cocktail that tastes like a summer vacation. It is served in a tall glass with an orange slice and a cherry, looking as cheerful as its namesake wildflower.

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Ingredients (serves 1):

• 1 oz bourbon
• 1 oz vodka
• 0.5 oz peach schnapps
• 2 oz orange juice
• 2 oz sweet and sour mix
• Ice
• Orange slice and a maraschino cherry for garnish

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Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Fill a tall Collins glass with ice.
2. Pour in the bourbon, vodka, and peach schnapps.
3. Add the orange juice and sweet and sour mix.
4. Stir well to combine.
5. Garnish with an orange slice threaded onto the rim and a maraschino cherry.
6. Serve immediately with a straw.

The Belmont Jewel

The final jewel in the Triple Crown cocktail collection, the Belmont Jewel is surprisingly simple for how beautiful it tastes. Bourbon meets fresh lemonade and pomegranate juice in a three-ingredient cocktail that is bright, tart, and ruby-red. It is served over ice with a lemon wedge, and it is absolutely perfect for making in big batches for a party. Its gorgeous ruby color makes it look far fancier than the effort required.

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Ingredients (serves 1):

• 2 oz bourbon
• 3 oz fresh lemonade
• 1 oz pomegranate juice
• Ice
• Lemon wheel for garnish

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Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Fill a rocks glass or tall glass with ice.
2. Pour the bourbon over the ice.
3. Add the fresh lemonade.
4. Slowly pour the pomegranate juice over the back of a spoon to create a beautiful layered ruby-red effect on top.
5. Stir gently once or twice to marble the colors.
6. Garnish with a lemon wheel on the rim.
7. Serve immediately. To make a batch, multiply all ingredients and keep refrigerated until ready to pour over ice.

The Honey Mint Julep

This is the Mint Julep for those who prefer their sweetness a little more floral and complex. Swapping simple syrup for honey syrup changes the whole character of the drink, adding warm golden notes of wildflower honey that complement the bourbon in a deeply satisfying way. Some recipes use honey whiskey entirely in place of regular bourbon. Either way, this golden-hued version of the julep is beautiful in a frosted silver cup, with honey drizzling down the sides of the ice.

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Ingredients (serves 1):

• 2 oz bourbon (or honey-flavored whiskey)
• 1 oz honey syrup (1 part honey dissolved in 1 part warm water)
• 8 fresh mint leaves, plus 1 sprig for garnish
• Crushed ice
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters (optional)

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Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Make honey syrup by combining equal parts honey and warm water, stirring until the honey fully dissolves. Let it cool before using. Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
2. Add the fresh mint leaves to a julep cup or rocks glass.
3. Add the honey syrup.
4. Muddle gently, pressing the mint leaves into the honey syrup to release the oils. Do not shred the leaves.
5. Pack the cup with crushed ice.
6. Pour the bourbon over the ice.
7. Stir gently until the outside of the cup frosts.
8. Add 2 dashes of bitters on top if desired.
9. Garnish with a generous mint sprig and serve immediately.

The Bourbon Paloma

A Paloma is traditionally made with tequila and grapefruit soda, but the bourbon version is a revelation. The smoky-sweet depth of bourbon pairs beautifully with the bittersweet zing of grapefruit, and a squeeze of lime brightens everything up. The Kentucky Paloma (or Bourbon Paloma) has a beautiful sunset-orange color in a tall glass over ice, garnished with a grapefruit wedge and a salted or sugared rim. This is a perfect Derby cocktail for the guest who wants something different but equally elegant.

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Ingredients (serves 1):

• 2 oz bourbon
• 3 oz grapefruit soda (or 2 oz fresh grapefruit juice plus 1 oz citrus club soda)
• 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Ice
• Grapefruit wedge and optional salted rim for garnish

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Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. If you want a salted rim, run a grapefruit wedge around the rim of a tall glass and dip it in coarse salt or a salt-sugar blend.
2. Fill the glass with ice.
3. Pour in the bourbon and fresh lime juice.
4. Add the grapefruit soda slowly, tilting the glass to preserve the carbonation.
5. Add the bitters.
6. Stir very gently once.
7. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge and serve immediately.

The Sage and Citrus Bourbon Spritz

This sophisticated cocktail uses a homemade sage simple syrup that brings an herbaceous, almost savory note to the party. Combined with fresh orange juice, bourbon, and a generous splash of chilled Prosecco, it is the ideal Derby brunch cocktail, effervescent, floral, and festive. The finished drink is pale gold with tiny champagne bubbles, served in a coupe or flute, garnished with a fresh sage leaf and an orange wheel. It looks like something from a garden party in the English countryside, but it tastes like Kentucky sunshine.

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Ingredients (serves 1):

• 2 oz bourbon
• 2 oz fresh orange juice
• 0.5 oz sage simple syrup (recipe below)
• 3 oz chilled Prosecco
• Ice (only for shaking)
• Fresh sage leaf and orange wheel for garnish

For the sage simple syrup:

• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup water
• 10 to 12 fresh sage leaves

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Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Make the sage simple syrup by combining sugar and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, add the sage leaves, and let steep for 30 minutes. Strain and refrigerate until cold.
2. In a cocktail shaker, combine the bourbon, orange juice, and sage simple syrup.
3. Fill the shaker with ice and shake until very cold, about 15 seconds.
4. Strain into a chilled champagne coupe or flute.
5. Top slowly with the cold Prosecco, pouring down the side of the glass to minimize fizz loss.
6. Stir once very gently.
7. Garnish with a fresh sage leaf floated on the surface and an orange wheel on the rim.
8. Serve immediately.

Party Planning Tips for Your Derby Celebration

Now that you have 20 incredible cocktail recipes at your fingertips, here are a few tips for pulling off a Derby celebration worthy of Churchill Downs.

Set up a cocktail bar station. Instead of playing bartender all afternoon, lay out all the ingredients beautifully arranged on a table. Print out one or two recipe cards with your featured cocktails, and let guests mix their own drinks. This is both a time-saver and a conversation starter.

Stock up on crushed ice. So many Derby cocktails rely on crushed ice for texture and temperature. If you don’t have a crusher at home, most grocery stores sell bags of crushed ice, or you can blend regular ice cubes briefly in a blender.

Invest in a few julep cups. They don’t have to be silver or gold plated (though if you want the authentic experience, pewter or stainless julep cups are surprisingly affordable). The tapered shape and metal material create that signature frost effect that makes Mint Juleps so visually stunning.

Make your syrups in advance. All simple syrups, mint syrups, honey syrups, and sage syrups can be made up to one week ahead and stored in sealed containers in the refrigerator. This dramatically cuts down on day-of preparation time.

Wear your best hat. The Kentucky Derby is as much about fashion as it is about horses. Fascinators, wide-brim sun hats, floral headbands, all of it is welcome and celebrated. Encourage your guests to dress the part, and maybe even hold a best-hat competition with a small prize. After all, the mint julep is even more delicious when you’re wearing something fabulous.

Quick Reference: All 20 Kentucky Derby Cocktails at a Glance

Whether you are a lifelong bourbon devotee or a newcomer reaching for your very first julep cup, the world of Kentucky Derby cocktails has something extraordinary waiting for you. These drinks are steeped in history, bursting with seasonal flavors, and designed to be shared with people you love during one of the most joyful sporting traditions in America.

So go ahead: crush that ice, muddle that mint, and raise your glass to the roses. The race may last only two minutes, but the memories made over these cocktails last a lifetime.

Cheers, darling. Now let’s go find your hat.

Note: Please enjoy all alcoholic beverages responsibly. Many of these recipes can be made alcohol-free by substituting non-alcoholic whiskey alternatives and sparkling water for champagne.

Sources: https://chesbrewco.com
Category: Cocktails