Kentucky Derby Cocktails

Did you know that the first time a mint julep was mentioned in print was in 1803, published in a book by John Davis of London? Mint juleps are part of a drink family called "smashes," which includes the mojito, a drink quite similar to the julep except made with rum. Today, methods for making the mint julep are widely dispute among bartenders. Traditionally, the drink is served in a silver julep cup with a copper core to maintain the cold temperature of the drink, and the cup should only be held at its edges for the same reason. Read More

B & B stands for Bourbon and Benedictine, the two ingredients in this simple drink. Benedictine is a French herbal liqueur, named for its supposed origin at a Benedictine Abbey in Normandy, France. If you don't want to mix the drink yourself, the company also offers pre-bottled B & B at 86 proof. Apparently the combination first appeared in the 1930s. The B&B also bears similarities to a classic cocktail that never quite took off, the Frisco, which can be made with rye or bourbon and the addition of lemon juice. Read More

Sweeten things up with the Royal Stretch, made from Crown Royal Canadian blended whiskey, grenadine or cherry juice, and club soda. Fizzy and tart, this cocktail is the perfect accompaniment to the race. Read More

Be classy with the Louisville Cooler, made from bourbon, orange juice, and sugar. Serve in a stemmed glass and garnish with an orange slice. Read More

With Crown Royal, amaretto, pineapple juice and Angostura bitters, this drink recipe is can't miss. Did you know that Angostura bitters were initially intended for medicinal purposes? Created from herbal and vegetable extracts, it was first produced in Angostura, Venezuela (hence the name) by Dr. Johann Siegert. Their complete recipe is a secret, so don't try to make them at home! Read More

Why is this the perfect mint julep? Well, because unlike the simpler recipe at the top of the page, this recipe is more labor-intensive and guarantees a mintier flavor! Rather than just muddling the fresh mint with sugar and bourbon, you actually infuse a small quantity of bourbon with a huge quantity of mint, creating a concentrated flavor. Then, after combining this intense mint-bourbon infusion with the rest of the bourbon and simple syrup, you refrigerate the mixture to allow the flavors to marry perfectly. Read More

Transport yourself to Kentucky with this indulgent sandwich recipe. Cheese, butter, turkey, and bacon: how could you go wrong? It's basically a turkey sandwich made with a hot cheese sauce and crumbled bacon. Use leftover turkey breast that you cooked at home rather than deli turkey for a truly decadent experience. Read More

Great to pop in your mouth as you watch the game! You'll probably be needing these little snacks if you enjoyed a few rounds of the drinks above. Nothing could be cuter than mini hot dogs wrapped in crispy and flaky crescent rolls. Read More