Kentucky Derby 2021: 5 Cocktail Recipes To Make At Home

Horse racing's biggest event, the Kentucky Derby, returns on May 1. The first leg of the Triple Crown is back at its traditional time after the 2020 race was delayed until the fall and without any spectators.

An attendance of 23,000 is expected at Churchill Downs this year due to limited seating. The 147th Run for the Roses may still conjure the feel and emotion of races before the pandemic.

Here are five easy cocktails to make on race day.

Mint Julep Cocktail

• 2 oz Nelson’s Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey
• .5 oz demerara simple syrup (1:1 demerara sugar to water)
• 2 dashes aromatic bitters
• 4 mint leaves

Mint bouquet for garnishGently muddle mint leaves in the bottom of a julep tin, pulling the leaves up the side of the tin. Add whiskey, demerara syrup and bitters. Fill the tin about ¾ of the way with crushed ice and swizzle with a bar spoon until condensation forms on the outside of the tin. Top with additional ice to form a snow cone on top and garnish with a bouquet of mint.

Woodford Reserve Cherries & Cream Julep

• 2 oz Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• .5 oz cherry juice
• Half a vanilla bean pod (cut into small segments)
• 1 tsp. powdered sugar
• Mint sprig, cherry and vanilla bean pod for garnish
• Crushed ice

In the julep cup, add .5 oz cherry juice. Add half a vanilla bean pod cut into small segments. Add 1 tsp. of powdered sugar. Muddle or mix together. Add crushed ice to 2/3 of the cup. Add 2 oz of Woodford Reserve. Top off the cup with crushed ice. Garnish with a mint sprig, real cherry, and vanilla bean pod, according to the Kentucky Derby website.

A Sage Once Said...

• 1.5 oz Nelson’s Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey
• .5 oz Licor 43
• .5 oz blackberry simple syrup
• 2 dashes orange bitters
• Fresh sage leaves

Add three sage leaves and two dashes of orange bitters to the bottom of a julep tin. Gently muddle, pulling the leaves up so the oils coat the inside of the tin. Add blackberry syrup, Licor 43 and Tennessee Whiskey. Fill about ¾ of the way with crushed ice and swizzle with a bar spoon until ingredients are combined and the outside of the tin begins to frost. Top with more crushed ice to make a “snow cone” top and garnish with additional sage.

Finlandia Apple Cider Mule

• 1 1/2 oz. Finlandia® Classic Vodka
• 3 oz. apple cider
• Ginger beer
• Cinnamon sticks for garnish

Thanks to its 3-ingredient recipe list, this Apple Cider Mule has all the makings of your favorite Fall cocktail. Start with 1.5 oz of Finlandia Vodka, add 3 oz. of apple cider and a splash of ginger beer. Garnish with cinnamon sticks, according to the Kentucky Derby website.

Grapefruit Julep

• 1.5 oz. Ketel One™ Vodka
• 0.5 oz. fresh lime juice
• 0.75 oz. fresh pink grapefruit juice
• 0.3 oz. pomegranate syrup
• 8 mint leaves
• 0.3 oz. honey syrup

Combine the first five ingredients in a mixing glass before stirring in the honey syrup. Add ice and shake. Strain into a julep cup or Collins glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with a large sprig of mint and grapefruit twist.