Two thirds of this year’s triple crown are in the books. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy these Kentucky Derby-inspired cocktails all summer long.
Fistful Smash
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Fistful of Bourbon
- 1/2 oz Grapefruit Oleo
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
- 10 loose mint leaves
Instructions:
Add all the ingredients in a mixing glass and strain over crushed ice. Garnish with a mint sprig and grapefruit twist.
The Basil Exposition
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Glenfiddich 12 Year Old
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 oz basil syrup*
- Club soda on top
Instructions:
In a cocktail shaker, combine all ingredients. Shake over ice and strain into a highball glass over ice. Top with club soda. Basil leaves to garnish.
*Basil syrup: in a saucepan, combine 10 ounces of sugar with 10 ounces of water over low heat. Stir until sugar is fully dissolved, then turn off the heat. Add a dozen basil leaves and let steep for 15 minutes. Strain and refrigerate. Keep up to one week.
Bad Apple D.E.W.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 oz Tullamore D.E.W. Original
- 4-5 mint leaves
- 1 dash of Angostura bitters
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/2 oz your favorite hard apple cider
Instructions:
Fill shaker with all the ingredients except the apple cider. Shake and strain into a highball glass with fresh ice. Top with cider.
Jameson Honey Julep
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz Jameson’s Irish Whiskey
- 3/4 oz Irish honey syrup
- 8-10 mint leaves
Instructions:
Mix one part honey with one part boiling water. Lightly press and roll mint leaves along a derby glass. Half fill glass with crushed ice and pour in half the liquid. Place more crushed ice on top and pour in remaining liquid. Garnish with mint sprig.
Hot Rod Julep
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 oz Rabbit Hole Boxergrail Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
- 1 oz Blackberry Jalapeño-Infused Syrup (recipe below)
- 4-6 Basil Leaves
- Crushed ice
- G.H. Mumm Brut Champagne
Instructions:
Mix one part honey with one part boiling water. Lightly press and roll mint leaves along a derby glass. Half fill glass with crushed ice and pour in half the liquid. Place more crushed ice on top and pour in remaining liquid. Garnish with mint sprig.
Third Man
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 oz George Remus Bourbon
- 1 oz grapefruit juice
- 3/4 oz lemon juice
- 3/4 oz Campari
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
Instructions:
Shake all ingredients with ice until chilled. Strain over fresh ice in a coupe. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.
Blind Buck
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Rossville Union Rye Whiskey
- 1 Strawberry
- 3/4 oz. lemon juice
- 1/2 oz. simple syrup
- 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters
- Thomas Henry Ginger Beer
Instructions:
Muddle strawberry in shaker. Add remaining ingredients. Shake with ice. Fine strain into a cocktail glass and top with ginger beer.
Let us know if you have a cocktail recipe you love or if there’s a recipe that you want us to break down on social media with the hashtag, #TWLScocktail. Please drink responsibly.
