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  "path": "/kentucky-derby-cocktails-recipes/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-27T15:44:00.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.brit.co",
  "tags": [
    "Cocktails",
    "Alcoholic drinks",
    "Alcohol",
    "Drink",
    "Drink recipes",
    "Easy cocktail recipes",
    "Cocktail recipes",
    "Editecom",
    "Kentucky Derby",
    "refreshing drink",
    "Bourbon",
    "Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey",
    "Woodford Reserve Mint Julep Cocktail Syrup",
    "Half Baked Harvest",
    "No Eggs Or Ham",
    "White Claw Premium Vodka",
    "Give Recipe",
    "Natalie’s Tangerine juice",
    "Salt & Lavender",
    "The Endless Meal",
    "Live Eat Learn",
    "Culinary Hill",
    "our newsletter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n**Saturday, May 2** marks this year's **Kentucky Derby** , and there's no better way to prep for the races than with a **refreshing drink**. **Bourbon** is the ultimate addition to your **cocktails** , but we've also got some other ideas for drinks as well. Keep yourself and your guests entertained with Derby-themed cocktails like the ones below—and get ready to gather 'round at Churchill Downs.\n\n* * *\n\n## See the best Kentucky Derby cocktails with recipes below!\n\n### Woodford Reserve Mint Julep\n\n\n\n\n**Ingredients:**\n\n  * 2 ounces Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey\n  * ½ ounces Woodford Reserve Mint Julep Cocktail Syrup\n  * Fresh mint leaves\n  * Crushed ice\n\n\n\n**Instructions:**\n\n  1. Express the essential oils in the mint leaves by rubbing them inside a julep cup or a rocks glass. To the same glass, add simple syrup, bourbon, and crushed ice. Stir.\n  2. Garnish with more crushed ice, a sprig of fresh mint, and dust with powdered sugar, if desired.\n\n\n\n### Garden Cherry Bourbon Smash\n\n\n\n\nCherries truly shine in the summertime, so what better way to enjoy them than in this fruity and fizzy cocktail? Ginger beer adds an element of spice and punch to this cocktail fit for the Derby. (via **Half Baked Harvest**)\n\n### Sweet Strawberry Green Tea Spritzer\n\n\n\n\nIced tea pairs sweetly with summer, and this refreshing cocktail recipe has every flavor you could want from a rejuvenating drink. From fresh fruit to sparkling sips, you'll want to fill up your Kentucky Derby glass with this _immediately_. (via **No Eggs Or Ham**)\n\n### The Summer's Smooovest\n\n\n\n\n**Ingredients:**\n\n__\n\n  * 1.5 ounces**White Claw Premium Vodka**____\n  * 1/2 ounces sugar syrup\n  * 1 large chunk of watermelon ____\n  * Pinch of chipotle seasoning\n\n\n\n**Instructions:**\n\n__\n\n  1. Add watermelon and chipotle to shaker, muddle, then add other ingredients.____\n  2. Add ice and shake well.____\n  3. Double strain into a coupe or martini glass.\n  4. Garnish with a watermelon wedge covered in chipotle seasoning.\n\n\n\n### Vodka Orange Cocktail (Screwdriver)\n\n\n\n\nOrange juice provides a light, fruity flavor above punchy vodka for an entertaining cocktail. Make a big batch to serve to your fellow Derby-goers! (via **Give Recipe**)\n\n### Woodford Reserve Spire\n\n\n\n\n**Ingredients:**\n\n  * 1.5 ounces Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey\n  * 2 ounces lemonade\n  * 1 ounces cranberry juice\n\n**Instructions:**\n\n  1. Add ingredients to mixing glass and stir. Pour over ice. Garnish with a lemon twist.\n\n\n\n### Honey Bourbon Punch\n\n\n\n\n**Ingredients (serves 8-10):**\n\n  * 8 ounces **Natalie’s Tangerine juice**\n  * 6 ounces lemon juice\n  * 2 cups bourbon\n  * 2 12-ounce cans of ginger ale\n  * 1⁄4 cup honey\n  * Slices of tangerine and lemon\n  * Orange bitters\n\n ____\n\n**Instructions:**____\n\n1. In a large pitcher, combine the Natalie’s Tangerine juice, lemon juice, bourbon, bitters, and honey.\n2. Whisk well to dissolve the honey.\n3. Stir in the ginger ale and slices of tangerine & lemon when ready to serve.\n4. Pour over ice and enjoy!\n\n### Easy Rosé Spritzer\n\n\n\n\nGive your rosé a quick refresh by adding crisp club soda and lemon. Each swig sends you further into summertime fun! (via **Salt & Lavender**)\n\n### Salty Dog Cocktail\n\n\n\n\nGrapefruit gets incorporated with gin (or vodka!) to form a truly impeccable cocktail to sip while watching the Kentucky Derby. (via **The Endless Meal**)\n\n### Kombucha Radler\n\n\n\n\nYou won't want to miss sipping this easy libation. Just combine your ideal ratio of beer to kombucha, garnish with lemon, and you've got yourself an unforgettable drink. (via **Live Eat Learn**)\n\n### The Falcon\n\n\n\n\n**Ingredients:**\n\n__\n\n  * 1 ounces __White Claw Premium Vodka\n  * 1/2 ounces orange bitters apéritif ____\n  * 1 ounces blood orange juice\n  * 1/4 ounces vanilla syrup\n  * 1 ounce champagne\n\n\n\n**Instructions:**\n\n__\n\n  1. Add all ingredients other than champagne to a cocktail shaker.____\n  2. Add ice and shake well.____\n  3. Strain into champagne flute and top with champagne.\n\n\n\n**For the vanilla syrup:**\n\n__\n\n  1. Add 1 part water to 2 parts sugar and stir until dissolved.____\n  2. Add this to a pot with 1 vanilla bean and bring to a boil.\n\n\n\n### Old Fashioned\n\n\n\n\nFor something a little stronger, opt for an Old Fashioned on Derby day. Make a super sophisticated version by getting creative with the orange peel garnish! (via **Culinary Hill**)\n\n### Tropical Coconut Orange Mango Mimosa\n\n\n\n\n**Ingredients (serves 6-8):**\n\n  * 8ounces Natalie’s Orange Mango juice\n  * 1 bottle of Prosecco\n  * 8 ounces coconut water\n  * 2 tablespoons honey\n  * 1⁄4 cup shredded coconut\n  * Lime slice for garnish\n\n __\n\n**Instructions:**\n\n1. In a pitcher, combine the Natalie’s Orange Mango juice and coconut water.\n2. Rim 6-8 champagne flutes with the honey then dip in the shredded coconut.\n3. Pour half of the glass full of the orange mango coconut mixture, and top with chilled Prosecco.\n4. Garnish with a lime. Enjoy!\n\n**Sign up for our newsletter for more delicious drink recipes!**\n\n_This post has been updated._\n\n__Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.__",
  "title": "The 13 Essential Cocktails You Need For The Perfect Kentucky Derby Party"
}