Kentucky is known for many things, chief among them bourbon and horses. Graeter’s Ice Cream is releasing a new limited-edition flavor for Derby season: Backstretch Bourbon Cherry.
Graeter’s and Churchill Downs have teamed up to create a bourbon-flavored ice cream blended with black cherries and pralines. This flavor is an officially licensed ice cream of the Kentucky Derby.
“We’ve long believed a collaboration between Graeter’s and Churchill Downs was a natural fit,” said Richard Graeter, fourth-generation president and CEO of Graeter’s Ice Cream. “When the Churchill Downs team visited Cincinnati late last year, they experienced our factory tour and tasted ice cream straight from our French Pots – and we introduced them to what is now Backstretch Bourbon Cherry. The flavor and name were developed by Graeter’s with their input, and Churchill Downs approved it on the very first bite. From that moment, we knew we had a winning flavor.”
For those who can’t be at the race, Graeter’s is offering three ice cream pack options in its Off to the Races Collection for purchase online. The Backstretch Six-Pint Pack is two pints of Backstretch Bourbon Cherry, one pint of Madagascar Vanilla, one pint of Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip, one pint of Mint Chocolate Chip, and one pint of Salted Caramel. The Winner’s Circle Six-Pint Pack features two pints of Bourbon Ball, one pint of Madagascar Vanilla, one pint of Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip, one pint of Mint Chocolate Chip, one pint of Salted Caramel, and one of the iconic Kern’s Derby Pies–the official pie of the Kentucky Derby Festival. The Trifecta Chip Wheelies Pack features Graeter’s ice cream sandwiches offered in three different flavors – four of Backstretch Bourbon Cherry (sandwiched between two handmade sugar cookies), and four of Vanilla Chocolate Chip and Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip (both between two handmade chocolate chip cookies).
Graeter’s is also giving customers the opportunity to win free ice cream for a year. One winner will receive a free Create-Your-Own Six-Pint Pack every month for 12 months beginning May through April 2027. Five runners-up will receive a free Create-Your-Own Six-Pint Pack.
On May 1-2, the Graeter’s Ice Cream Truck will be making its official Kentucky Derby debut, offering guests the chance to sample flavors including Backstretch Bourbon Cherry and Graeter’s signature Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip, in addition to other Graeter’s staples. The truck will be stationed at the Clubhouse Gate entrance and is open to all guests attending Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby.
Churchill Downs will also be serving Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip ice cream and Backstretch Bourbon Cherry scoops in select suites and dining areas.
Backstretch Bourbon Cherry is available now at Graeters.com, and by the pint and by the scoop at all Graeter’s scoop shops.
