The Best Kentucky Derby Cocktails to Make at Home (6 Must-Try Recipes)

Happy Derby Weekend!

For those who didn't know, I was born and raised in Kentucky — but funny enough, it wasn't until I left the Bluegrass State that I really came to appreciate the Kentucky Derby, its history, and everything it means to Kentucky and the world.

A few fun facts to set the scene:

• The Derby has been run every single year since 1875, making it the longest continuously held annual sporting event in the United States.

• The winner is draped in a blanket of 554 red roses, hand-stitched the morning of the race — which is why it's called "The Run for the Roses."

• Over Derby weekend, Churchill Downs serves roughly 120,000 mint juleps, using about 10,000 bottles of bourbon, 1,000 pounds of fresh mint, and 60,000 pounds of crushed ice.

• The race itself takes about two minutes flat. Hence the nickname: "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports."

• Right before the horses head to the gate, the entire crowd sings "My Old Kentucky Home." It will absolutely give you chills.

I've only been to the Derby in person a handful of times, but we always try to throw a Derby party at home to celebrate. I won't be hosting this year — but if I were, these are the six cocktails I'd have on the menu.

Oh, and I rounded up a few of my favorite Kentucky Derby essentials, you can find them all right here.

Classic Mint Julep

You’ll need:

• Handful of fresh mint

• ½ oz simple syrup

• 2 oz bourbon

• Crushed ice

Directions:

1. In a mint julep cup (or any glass you love), muddle the mint with the simple syrup.

2. Add the bourbon and a scoop of crushed ice, then stir until well chilled.

3. Top with more crushed ice and garnish with a fresh sprig of mint.

Oaks Lily

You'll need:

• 2 oz vodka

• ½ oz orange liqueur

• ½ oz simple syrup

• ½ oz fresh-squeezed lemon juice

• 2 oz cranberry juice

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.

2. Shake 20 times — with a smile.

3. Strain over fresh ice and garnish with a lemon wheel and a few blackberries.

Bourbon Spires

You'll need:

• 2 oz bourbon

• 2 oz lemonade

• ½ oz cranberry juice

• Lemon twist, for garnish

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail beaker with ice.

2. Give it a nice stir.

3. Strain over one big ice cube and garnish with a lemon twist.

CLASSIC OLD FASHIONED

This is the signature cocktail at my house, and for good reason — anyone who loves an oldie tells me mine is one of the best. 🤷 I think the secret is a splash of agave instead of a sugar cube.

The mint julep may be the official Derby drink, but an Old Fashioned is non-negotiable on my Derby cocktail lineup.

pssstt… you can find these beautiful old fashioned glasses here.

You'll need:

• 6–8 dashes orange bitters (don't be shy — most folks use a couple, I go big)

• 6–8 dashes Angostura bitters

• A splash of agave

• 2½–3 oz good-quality bourbon ( buffalotrace is a great affordable option)

• Orange peel and a maraschino cherry, for garnish

Directions:

1. Add the bitters, agave, and bourbon to a cocktail beaker with ice.

2. Stir for about 20 seconds.

3. Strain over a BIG rock. (If it's not a big rock, I don't want it. 😝)

4. Express the orange peel over the top and drop in a cherry.

Check out my Old Fashioned Essentials here

Strawberry Mint Julep

You'll need:

• 6–8 fresh mint leaves

• 2 oz bourbon

• ½ oz strawberry simple syrup (easy recipe below)

• Crushed ice

Directions:

1. Muddle the mint in a julep cup.

2. Add the strawberry syrup and bourbon.

3. Top with crushed ice and stir until chilled.

4. Add more crushed ice and garnish with a fresh strawberry and a sprig of mint.

Strawberry Simple Syrup:

• 1 cup quartered strawberries

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 cup water

Combine in a small saucepan and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Strain, cool, and store in the fridge for up to two weeks.

KENTUCKY BUCK

You'll need:

• 1 medium strawberry, quartered

• ¾ oz fresh-squeezed lemon juice

• 2 dashes bitters (@angosturahouse)

• ½ oz simple syrup

• 2 oz bourbon (I used breckdistillery)

• Ginger beer, to top

• Strawberry slice or mint sprig, for garnish

Directions:

1. In a shaker, muddle the strawberry with the lemon juice, bitters, and simple syrup.

2. Add the bourbon and ice, then shake hard until chilled.

3. Strain over fresh ice in a tall glass.

4. Top with ginger beer and garnish with a strawberry slice or sprig of mint.

Whichever you pour, here's to the greatest two minutes in sports. 🌹

Cheers, Jordan