More Than Mint Juleps: Bourbon Cocktail Ideas for the Kentucky Derby
You can never go wrong with a Manhattan, but why not expand your cocktail repertoire with these exciting bourbon beverages?
Your Kentucky Derby hat has been chosen, your wagers are in (you chose the horse with the punniest name, obviously), and you’re ready to watch the fastest two minutes in sports. But what about the most important part of the Derby tradition? You need some bourbon.
Sipping on a mint julep, a Manhattan, a Kentucky mule, an Old Fashioned or even a hot toddy, depending on where you’re watching the event, is a big part of Derby Day. It’s also a great opportunity to get inspired at your home bar and whip up some batch cocktails for a big group, or individualized cocktails for a small one. If you want to stick with a classic, try out this perfect three-ingredient Manhattan recipe from Trey Zoeller, founder of Jefferson’s Bourbon.
Or lean into the the theme of the day with these impressive-and-drinkable sidecars. If the temperature is rising, try out a spiked shandy. For an umami take on the classic bourbon cocktail, try out this shiitake-based beverage. Alice Waters’ new restaurant Lulu at Los Angeles’ Hammer Museum serves a cocktail made with rye called Unbridled, inspired by the Derby winner in 1990, the year the museum was built. Of course, you could always try out your own take on one of the recipes below and name it according to the winner of your birth year.
No matter how you celebrate (or if you even watch the sporting event), have a happy Derby Day with these bourbon cocktails.
1 /13Thomas J. Story
Daylight Savings
Grapefruit and lemon balance out the flavors from Bigallet China-China liqueur in this refreshing drink.
2 /13Courtesy of Campfire
Merit Badge Cocktail
With an orgeat made of trail mix and fresh huckleberries, and a splash of sherry, lemon juice, and a heavy pour of bourbon, this sipper is an ode to our favorite hiking snacks.
3 /13Thomas J. Story
Spiked Shandy
Nothing is better in the summer than a shandy. Add Buffalo Trace bourbon to it, and you’ve got the perfect Derby Day drink.
4 /13Thomas J. Story
Big-Batch Bourbon Sidecars
Bourbon takes a refreshing turn when mixed with the sweet-tart juice of Meyer lemons.
5 /13Ren Fuller for Chronicle Books
Fireside Glow
Ideal for a cozying up to a bar with a fireplace nearby, this boozy drink has comforting notes of cinnamon and almond, thanks to an elegant coating of amaretto.
6 /13Photo: Thomas J. Story
The Groom
A Sunset reader in Santa Rosa, California, created this recipe to serve at a wedding, but it fits any occasion with a proper toast.
7 /13Produce Row Cafe
Earl Grey Hot Toddy
Shared with us by the team at Produce Row Café in Portland, this toddy is warm and cozy just as the classic cocktail is meant to be. The twist to this version comes from extra lemon juice, and sweetness from an Earl Grey-infused syrup.
8 /13Courtesy of Mia Wasilevich
Shiitake Mushroom Cocktail
Chef and Eat Your Drink: Culinary Cocktails author Matthew Biancello adds umami to a Manhattan with shiitake mushrooms. Impress your guests with the mushroom-infused bourbon needed for this recipe.
9 /13Thomas J. Story
Fig Old Fashioned
Dried figs add just a bit of tannin and even more caramel notes to bourbon.
10 /13Dylan + Jeni
The Point Lobos
Bourbon and cider come together to make the perfect batch cocktail in case of a chilly May day.
11 /13Pete Habib, courtesy of Robin Jackson
Doctor’s Orders
This tangy robust cocktail from Oldfield’s Liquor Room in Culver City, California, is, as the title suggests, just what the doctor ordered.
12 /13Photography by Annabelle Breakey
Marmalade Sours
This take on a classic whiskey sour uses marmalade in lieu of simple syrup to sweeten the mix. The extra citrus flavor and chewy bits of orange peel will convert any neophyte to the magic of this versatile drink.
13 /13Unsplash/ Emi Andreeva
Trey Zoeller’s Bourbon Manhattan
Trey Zoeller, founder of Jefferson’s Bourbon, shows us how to make the perfect Manhattan.