This post is sponsored by Brown Forman. Woodford Reserve is a favorite bourbon in our house and all opinions expressed here are my own.
Kentucky Derby parties are not complete without something to drink, preferably with Bourbon included! From the classic Mint Julep to the Woodford Spire and the show stopping Finlandia Oaks Lily, I'm sharing three of the best Kentucky Derby cocktails to make at home.
Kentucky Derby Cocktails
Here in California, most of us won't have the pleasure of attending the Kentucky Derby in person, which is why it's so much fun to celebrate this historic sporting event at home! Today, I'm sharing three of the best Kentucky Derby Cocktails to bring the authentic taste and experience to your party, thanks to Brown-Forman and Woodford Reserve, the official sponsor of the Kentucky Derby.
What is the Kentucky Derby?
The Kentucky Derby is a horse race held in Louisville, Kentucky each May at Churchill Downs. Also referred to as the Run for the Roses, the Kentucky Derby has a long standing and grand tradition of being the oldest sporting event in American history and brings out the best of the best in everything from attire to Bourbon!
Let's Talk Bourbon!
We love good bourbon in this house and and over the years I've shared a ton of my favorite ways to drink and cook with it from my Old Fashioned Bourbon Balls to Bourbon Cranberry Jello.
Both Woodford Reserve and Old Forester are must haves for making delicious drinks and recipes. Looking for something other than bourbon? I'm also sharing the Finlandia Oaks Lily made with Finlandia Vodka, which is refreshing and delicious on a hot day!
Classic Mint Julep Cocktail Recipe
The Old Forester Mint Julep is the Official Drink of the Kentucky Derby and is synonymous with the first Saturday in May as well as warm-weather days in the south.
I love the sweet and strong tobacco and vanilla flavors of this bourbon which pairs so nicely with fresh muddled mint and simple syrup. Don't forget plenty of crushed ice!
Old Forester Mint Julep
- 2 oz. Old Forester 86 Proof
- 0.75 oz. Simple Syrup
- 8-10 mint leaves
- mint sprigs for garnish
Directions:
- Pack mint julep cup with crushed ice. In a mixing glass, combine bourbon, syrup, and mint leaves.
- Lightly bruise mint leaves with a muddler, strain contents into julep cup. Garnish with generous sprigs of mint.
Finlandia Oaks Lily Cocktail Recipe
This vodka drink is a fruity go-to all summer long. The combination of sweet and sour, tart cranberry and triple sec make this drink so easy to sip and gives it a pretty pink color.
- 1 ¼ oz Finlandia Vodka
- 1 oz sweet and sour mix
- ¼ oz triple sec
- 3 oz cranberry juice
- cocktail cherry and lemon peel for garnish
Directions:
- Mix sweet and sour, triple sec, cranberry juice and vodka.
- Pour over a glass filled with crushed ice.
- Garnish and enjoy!
Derby Party Decor
From classic roses to equestrian decor, the Kentucky Derby has a distinct southern charm that's fun and easy to replicate at home. Silver and copper serving dishes and cups are classic and you can find horse shoe stir sticks and even mini metal horse shoes for table decor.
Mini arrangements of white or red garden roses in julep cups are effortless centerpieces or bar cart decor.
Setting up a self serve bar with the ingredients to make these Derby Cocktails is a great way let guests serve themselves! Pitchers of lemonade and cranberry juice along with a bucket of ice, bottles of bourbon and vodka and of course garnishes make a lovely and delicious setup.
I love a good theme for any party and when I spotted these mini bottles of Woodford Reserve, I knew I had to use them for party favors. Place mini bottles in a copper bowl filled with ice for guests to take home.
Woodford Spire Cocktail
Of all the official cocktails of the Kentucky Derby, the Woodford Spire might be my favorite! Woodford Reserve has been making Bourbon in Kentucky since 1812 and today the distillery is considered a National Historic Landmark. Talk about an American classic.
Woodford Reserve is a perfectly balanced Bourbon Whiskey with more than 200 flavor notes, from bold grain and wood, to sweet aromatics, spice, and fruit & floral notes.
Ingredients in a Woodford Spire:
- Bourbon - Woodford Reserve Straight Kentucky Bourbon.
- Lemonade - this gives such a delicious sweet flavor that makes the cocktail very drinkable.
- Cranberry Juice - you can use either cranberry juice or cranberry juice cocktail for this drink depending on how sweet you like it! If you are using a sweet lemonade you may want a tarter cranberry juice.
- Lemon Twist - use a veggie peeler to peel long strips off of a lemon. Slice into thin strips and garnish.
- Crushed Ice - Pro tip! You can buy pebble ice by the bag at many fast food or barbecue restaurants.
How to Make a Woodford Spire
- Fill a stainless steel cup with crushed ice.
- Mix cranberry juice, lemonade and bourbon in a mixing glass.
- Pour over ice and garnish with a lemon twist.
Party Tip: I pre-mixed cranberry and lemonade so that guests could easily pour their own cocktails and add as much or as little bourbon as they like.
What to Serve at a Kentucky Derby Party
- Fried Chicken
- Warm Potato Salad
- Creamy Deviled Egg Dip
- Pimento Cheese Mini Pizzas
- Barbecue Chicken Sliders
- Classic Southern Transparent Pie
- Old Fashioned Bourbon Balls
- Old Fashioned Mix
I hope these recipes inspire you to host your own Kentucky Derby Party! If you try any of these three cocktails, I'd love to hear what you think. Please leave a comment in the box below and share on social @freutcake so that I can give you a virtual cheers. And they're off!
Woodford Spire Cocktail
A bourbon cocktail made with Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- 2 oz Lemonade
- 1 oz Cranberry Juice
Instructions
- Fill a stainless steel cup with crushed ice.
- Mix cranberry juice, lemonade and bourbon in a mixing glass.
- Pour over ice and garnish with a lemon twist.
Notes
Party Tip: Pre-mixed cranberry and lemonade so that guests could easily pour their own cocktails.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 231Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 5mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 0gSugar: 9gProtein: 0g
Cyd says
This is so beautiful, friend! Love how you brought your gorgeous California vibe to the derby!
Leah Bergman says
Aw, thank you my friend! It's the California Derby vibes for me.
Sabrina says
if nothing else its a wonderful checklist for everything I need to entertain for a Derby party or...but really love all of the accessories and even the cocktail recipes too, the Oaks Lily is right up my alley with sweet and sour, cranberry and lemon, nice balance!