This post will show you 10 Kentucky derby drinks for you to make on race day. Many of the recipes call for Kentucky bourbon including the famous Mint Julep. The founder of Churchill Downs was said to have brought the drink to the race made with mint he grew behind the club, which then grew into an annual tradition and the first julep collector cups were introduced at the Kentucky Derby in 1939.
May is well-known as the month of Mother’s Day and Memorial Day, but it’s also synonymous with another major event: the Kentucky Derby race, the Thoroughbred horse race that has been hosted by Churchill Downs continuously since 1875.
The 2024 Kentucky Derby will be the 150th Run for the Roses and is set for Saturday, May 4. Twenty horses are set to compete in the race.
When talking about the Kentucky Derby, the Mint Julep drink is almost as famous as Churchill Downs’ TwinSpires.
Long ago, people started drinking Mint Juleps at the track during the first Kentucky Derby in 1875. But it wasn’t until 1939 that they became the official drink of the event. The idea came when they saw that visitors liked the fancy traditional silver julep cup the juleps came in and were taking them home, so instead of stopping them, they started selling these glasses as souvenirs. They’ve been doing it ever since.
Even though the classic Mint Julep—made with bourbon, mint, sugar, and ice in a special Kentucky Derby glass—is still a favorite, there are other tasty options for you to enjoy during the races, no matter where you are.
Let’s talk about these drinks. The The Kentucky Oaks Lily Drink, which is the special drink of the Kentucky Oaks. It’s a pretty pink cocktail made with vodka, lime juice, triple sec, and cranberry juice, served in a special glass and garnished with a blackberry and lemon wedge.
If you like the taste of bourbon mixed with refreshing spring flavors, try the Woodford Spire from Woodford Reserve, the main sponsor of the Kentucky Derby. It’s made with Woodford Reserve bourbon, lemonade, and cranberry juice, served over crushed ice in a special cup. You can also make it without alcohol if you prefer.
If you’re having a Derby-at-Home party, here’s a tip: make big batches of these drinks and set up a self-serve station with mint and fruits for guests to add to their drinks.
No matter which Kentucky Derby drink you pick, they’re all delicious. Whether you’re at Churchill Downs or watching from home, these drinks are a great way to celebrate the excitement of the Kentucky Derby. So get your friends together, put on your fanciest hats, and let’s cheers to the Kentucky Derby!
Kentucky Derby Drinks
One of the arguably most fun ways to drink bourbon? As a mule! Swap vodka for bourbon in a Moscow mule and you’ve got the Kentucky mule! It’s bubbly, bright and bold: with zingy lime and a spicy whiskey finish. Even better: it’s so easy to make! There’s no shaking or stirring required: just pour it all into the glass.
Ingredients- 2 ounces (¼ cup) bourbon whiskey
- ½ ounce (1 tablespoon) fresh lime juice
- 4 ounces (½ cup) ginger beer
- For serving: ice, lime wedge, fresh mint
Mint juleps are often only brought up around the time of the Kentucky Derby, and I think that’s a crying (neighing?) shame! Not only does the classic frosty cup and minty flavor provide a cooling freshness on a hot day, it’s also one of the best low-effort cocktails out there. It's only 3 ingredients (if you don’t count ice), and the prep couldn’t be simpler.
Woodford Reserve is the official bourbon for the Mint Julep recipe at the Kentucky Derby because of its bold, oaky, and fruity flavors that pair well with the mint. Bourbon specifically is used because it is sweeter than other types of whiskeys made with different grains.
Ingredients- 1/2 oz. simple syrup
- Mint leaves, plus a sprig for garnish
- 2 oz. bourbon
- Crushed ice
The Kentucky Oaks Lily Drink is an adorably fun and flavorful cocktail. Made with refreshing ingredients like cranberry juice, lime juice, and Triple Sec, this drink is sure to cool you down on a hot, summer day. This blushing pink drink calls for a healthy pour of vodka, too.
Fun fact: It's a competition for the three-year-old thoroughbred fillies (female horses). Each year, the iconic racetrack is adorned in shades of pink to increase breast cancer awareness, and the rosy Kentucky Oaks Lily Drink furthers that theme. That's a cause we'll gladly raise our class to.
Ingredients- 3 oz. cranberry juice (about 1/3 cup)
- 1 ½ oz. vodka (3 tablespoons)
- 1 oz. lime juice (2 tablespoons)
- 1/5 ounce Triple Sec (about 1 1/4 tsp.)
- Ice, crushed
This Old Fashioned variation combines bourbon, maple syrup, fresh orange and lemon juices, and Angostura bitters, with a fizzy topper of seltzer.
Bourbon and maple syrup are a natural pairing, especially for an Old Fashioned riff. A muddled orange wheel with additional fresh lemon and orange juice further brightens the bourbon base, while the Angostura bitters lend aromatic complexity. A splash of seltzer lightens and lengthens this drink for a refreshing option on Derby day.
Ingredients- 1/2 ounce pure maple syrup, preferably Grade A dark amber
- 1/2 ounce fresh orange juice
- 1/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 4 dashes of Angostura bitters
- 1/2 orange wheel
- 2 ounces bourbon
- Ice
- 1 1/2 ounces chilled seltzer
Recreate all of the excitement of Churchill Downs at home with the 3-ingredient Woodford Spire, Woodford Reserve's signature Kentucky Derby Cocktail. You can make one or a batch in minutes so you won't miss any of the party's action.
- 1.5 oz Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- ▢2 oz freshly squeezed lemonade
- ▢1 oz cranberry juice
The Derby cocktail is a gorgeous alternative to the ubiquitous mint julep. The combination of bourbon, sweet vermouth, orange curaçao, and lime juice might even be tastier. Try both and let us know which you prefer.
Ingredients- ▢1 ounce bourbon whiskey
- ▢1/2 ounce sweet vermouth
- ▢1/2 ounce orange curaçao
- ▢3/4 ounce fresh lime juice, (from 1 lime)
- ▢1 lime wedge, for garnish
- ▢1 mint leaf, for garnish
What do you get when you combine a mint julep with a Moscow mule? You get this: Triple Crown Cocktail. Perfect for slow sipping while watching the Kentucky Derby and beyond. This refreshing drink is just the ticket for hot summer days.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 2 oz ginger kombucha
- 7 mint leaves
- 1 tsp powdered sugar
- 2 tsp water
- squeeze fresh lime juice
Today I’m sharing a version of the classic cocktail, the Brown Derby, that really captures the time period between winter and spring. The idea for this version came to me during a recent trip to the supermarket, where I was inspired by all the fresh, bright strawberries on display. Together with the bourbon’s spiciness, the fruit serves to really spring-ify the cocktail.
Instead of the honey that the recipe traditionally calls for, I decided to substitute in maple syrup. Not only did this substitution give the cocktail a deeper flavor, one that perfectly supplemented the delightful burn of the bourbon, but it also made me nostagic for those childhood weekends of fruit-filled pancakes doused in syrup. The grapefruit juice, which is the traditional citrus in this cocktail, balances out all the flavors and adds a bit of bitterness. As the seasons change and more fruits come into season you will have multiple ways to make this cocktail. I know I’ll be trying blueberries as soon as they are available!
Ingredients- 1.5 ounces of bourbon
- 1 ounce of grapefruit juice
- ½ ounce of maple syrup
- 3 chopped strawberries plus more for garnish
A take on blloody marys it is essentially a Bloody Mary with whiskey, the Bloody Derby is a tasty cocktail for brunch. Made with bourbon and tomato juice, this twist on the classic savory cocktail is one you shouldn’t miss.
ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Bloody Mary salt for rim (optional)
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 4 ounces tomato juice
- ½ ounce lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2-4 dashes hot sauce to taste
- ½ teaspoon horseradish
- ½ teaspoon celery salt
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- garnishes, such as a celery rib, olive, bacon or cocktail onion
Perfect for sipping on the porch all summer long, y'all will love my Bourbon Sweet Tea Cocktail! This cocktail is quintessentially Kentucky.
Ingredients:
- 8 c. Good-Quality Sweet Tea
- 1 c. Kentucky Bourbon
- 1 Lemon, juiced
- Ice
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Mint, for garnish
Conclusion to Kentucky derby drinks
I hope you're inspired to try one of these delicious Kentucky derby cocktails. I know I can't wait to watch these remarkable three-year-old thoroughbred racehorses charge to the finish line. Do you have a favorite horse to win? Enjoy race day!