summer sips series: part 1

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You’re Invited:

Kentucky Derby Watch Party

Date: Saturday, May 4, 2019

Time: 1:30pm CST

Location: Your living room (with the live event coverage cued up. Race starts at 5:50pm CST)

It’s May! Despite the frigid rain and dense fog, you’re ready for summer to just HAPPEN already. You’ve pulled out your new sundress and wedge heels in preparation for the big races this weekend. (Luckily) the forecast says it will be warm and dry, and you have a weekend full of Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo festivities ahead to kick off the summer months.

You’ve decided that the Kentucky Derby party is yours to host! You invited your nearest and dearest, purchased some fun décor, and finished embellishing the perfect fascinator to match your dress. Whether it’s a pre-party at Churchill Downs, or you’re hosting a watch party in the comfort of your own living room, this is the perfect season to stir up a tasty cocktail to enjoy with friends. Be it a virgin cocktail or something a little stronger, put a twist on your favorite recipes and mix up something new to keep your guests excited!

 

About “Summer Sips Series” — I always refer back to my golden party rules when considering which topics to cover, and this seasonal drink series definitely falls under rule #2 - start the party. While I’m certainly no bartender, I like to think I can mix up a pretty good drink. I enjoy researching flavor profiles and cocktail recipes, and in the summer, I love to experiment with various herbs (like rosemary) and flavored bitters (like orange). So, needless to say, I had a lot of fun in the test kitchen (aka my kitchen) mixing up these drinks, adding something new to the tried-and-true recipes, and tasting the fresh cocktails. Give one of these a try, and let me know what you think! Stay tuned for more this summer.

 
 
 

Here are 3 Ways to Shake Up Your Kentucky Derby Cocktail Menu

Orange Mint Julep - for something sweet and herbal

  • 2 oz your favorite bourbon

  • 1 oz of simple syrup

  • 1.5 oz fresh orange juice (half of an orange worked for me!)

  • 1.5 oz water

  • 3 large orange slices

  • 5-8 mint leaves 

Rub a couple of the mint leaves inside the glass. Drop in two orange slices, those same mint leaves you used to rub the glass and muddle them. Pour in all liquid ingredients. Top your drink with crushed ice. Give it a stir. Finish the drink off with extra ice that can been seen over the top of the glass, a large piece of twisted orange peel, and garnish with extra mint leaves. Now, this deserves first place at the races! (Serves 1)

Spiked & Smashed Berry Sweet Iced Tea - for something strong and sweet

  • 8 oz your favorite bourbon (only 2 oz goes in the drink!)

  • 1 1/2 cup of water

  • Your favorite tea bag

  • 1 tablespoon of sugar or sweetener substitute (then add to taste)

  • ~10 raspberries

  • ~12 blackberries

Start by adding 6 oz of bourbon to a bowl and submerge about 8 of the blackberries. Set the bowl aside for about 30 minutes. Then, boil your water. Add tea and sugar to the water and lower the heat to a simmer until the sugar dissolves. (Follow recommended steeping time for your tea bag.) Let the tea cool completely. (If you don’t mind the level of sweetness in store-bought tea, feel free to use that instead to speed things along and get back to the party.) Next, grab your glass and toss in 4 blackberries and about 4 raspberries. Muddle! Then, alternate dropping in crushed ice, bourbon-soaked blackberries (save a few), and raspberries so they are evenly dispersed throughout. Set the glass aside. Now, add the sweet tea and remaining 2 oz of bourbon to a shaker with ice and shake to chill. Strain the tea mixture into your glass. Spear your remaining bourbon-soaked blackberries onto a toothpick with a sprig of mint and top the glass. (Serves 1)

Twisted Tom Collins - for something fresh and fizzy

  • 2 oz gin

  • ¾ oz lemon juice

  • 1 oz simple syrup

  • 3 ½ cups of ice

  • 2 oz club soda

  • 1 lemon

  • 1 cucumber

  • 8-10 mint leaves

This one is easy! Start by putting 1 ½ cups of ice into your glass and let it chill in the freezer while you are making your tasty drink. Pour your liquid ingredients (except club soda) into a cocktail shaker, and drop in slices of lemon, cucumber, and a few mint leaves. Add 1 cup of ice and shake until chilled. Strain the drink into your chilled glass (already filled with ice). Push some mint leaves and cucumber slices into the drink for a pop of color. Top it with club soda for a bit of fizz! Add a very thin slice of cucumber on top for garnish! (Serves 1)

Here’s a famous pink drink that you don’t want to mess with: Oaks Lily.

Year after year, it remains the Official Drink of the Kentucky Oaks as it supports care for women’s health issues.

  • 1 ¼ oz your favorite vodka

  • 1 oz sweet and sour mix (or mix equal parts water, lemon juice, lime juice and sugar)

  • ¼ oz triple sec

  • ½ oz simple syrup (Just to add a bit more sweetness to counter the tart cranberry juice)

  • 3 oz cranberry juice

  • Blackberries

 Pour in all of your liquid ingredients. Give it a stir. Add crushed ice. Garnish with a lemon slice and blackberries. Easy! (Serves 1)

Pro Tip: Keep with tradition – don’t forget to use a stemless wine glass and a (reusable metal or paper) straw for the official tasting experience.


There are many ways to “start the party,” but delicious drinks are definitely my favorite way! Anyone else agree? ;)

 Enjoy responsibly!