Kentucky Derby Party: Signature Cocktails and Mocktails
Below is a description of the cocktails I made for a Kentucky Derby-themed party last year. Go to the main post for details about the party, links to all the dishes I made, and a simple schedule to help you host your very own Derby party!
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If you're looking for a fun way to have signature cocktails at your next party, here's a few HOT TIPS for you:
- Tip #1: Get a frame from the dollar store, create a cute graphic for the cocktails, and set the frame out on your bar so your guests can be inspired by the options.
- Tip #2: Put a printed copy of the recipe on the back of the photo frame, for both a single recipe and a triple recipe (in case you have a few folks that want a drink). That way your recipe is always on hand and won't get wet/lost once all the drink bottles come out.
For my Kentucky Derby party I had three set options for the ladies to chose from.
The Belmont Jewel was definitely my favorite drink, and a crowd pleaser! It was simple but oh so delicious, and even the non-whiskey fans enjoyed it. In full disclosure, my Mint Julep wasn't perfect because I didn't have crushed ice, so it was a tad boozy for some of the ladies when served with regular ice, but mellowed out once the ice cubes melted a bit. It also took me a bit to find the right proportions for the Oaks Lilly, since I had accidentally bought unsweetened cranberry juice instead of cranberry juice cocktail. But below I'll have the proper way to make these cocktails.
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| Cheers |
Other cocktails I considered were this blueberry bourbon smash and this lavender bourbon sour. I'll definitely have to give both of these cocktails a try sometime this summer!
Also, don't forget that you can make some mean mocktails with all the ingredients below! Fun ways for the tweens to experiment with flavor combos.
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| Flavor scientists here. They liked drinking their mocktails out of real glasses too! |
Cheers,
Jacqueline
Belmont Jewel, adapted from Spruce Eats
1 ½ ounces bourbon whiskey
2 ounces lemonade
1 ounce pomegranate juice
Shake all ingredients together in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Strain over fresh ice or in a chilled coupe glass (no ice). Garnish with lemon wedge, orange zest, or cherry (optional).
Mint Julep, adapted from Spruce Eats and Liquor.com
2 oz bourbon whiskey
⅓ oz simple syrup
6 mint leaves
Lightly muddle mint leaves and simple syrup in a rocks glass (or Julep cup). Add bourbon and pack the glass tighly with crushed ice. Stir until the cup is frosted. Garnish with mint spring and few drops of bitters (optional)
Oaks Lilly, adpated from Liquor.com
1 ½ ounces vodka
¾ ounce orange liqueur
3 ounces cranberry juice cocktail
½ ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed
½ ounce simple syrup
Add the vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry juice, lemon juice and simple syrup into a highball glass, then fill with ice and stir gently to combine. Garnish with 2 blackberries and a lemon wheel.
Mocktails
The tweens made FABULOUS mocktails for themselves, shaker and all. No exact recipes here, but first muddle some herbs (mint or basil) with garnish(es) of your choosing (blackberries, cherries, orange slice) in the cocktail shaker. Then add ice and mixers like lemonade, cranberry juice, and/or pomegranate juice and shake it up. Pour into a fun glass and top with sparkling water. And viola! Delicious and fun mocktails for the night.
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