A Day At The Races!

[alligirl]

With Horse racing season upon us, we thought it would be nice to share some of the traditional sippers, to be enjoyed on race day!

Woodford Reserve Manhattan - from the official bourbon of the Preakness Cup

2 1/2 oz Woodford Reserve bourbon
1/2 oz Sweet Vermouth
1 splash Grenadine
1 dash Angostura Bitters
1 dash Peychaud Bitters
1 Maraschino cherry
~Pour all of the above ingredients over ice into a mixing glass. Stir well, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a Maraschino cherry



Another 'un-official' drink of The Breeder's Cup

Cherry Perfecta


750 milliliters Woodford Reserve bourbon
16 oz Maraschino cherries, drained
2 vanilla beans
ice

(This should be started 2-4 days before it is needed!)
~Infuse the cherries and vanilla beans in bourbon in a glass container for 2-4 days. To serve, pour infused bourbon over ice in a cocktail shaker, shake well then strain into a Manhattan glass. Garnish the drink with one of the soaked cherries.



Kentucky Derby





Everyone is familiar with the traditional drink of the Kentucky Derby! There are many to choose from here: Mint Julep recipes!

Kentucky Derby Traditions
The Rose Garland
The Trophy
The Twin Spires
The Mint Julep
Derby Hats
Celebrities at the Derby
Collecting Derby Glasses

Other Derby Traditional recipes:
Derby Pie
Hot Brown Sandwich
Kentucky Burgoo



Preakness Stakes



The popular choice for The Preakness is a Black Eyed Susan! There are only 2 to chose from here. Do you have one to share?

Preakness Traditions
Held on the third Saturday in May at the Pimlico Race Course in Maryland.
Black-eyed Susans to the winner
The Woodlawn Vase trophy
The Alibi Breakfast
Painting the weather vane



Belmont Stakes



The Belmont Stakes is the oldest of the Triple Crown events. It predates the Preakness Stakes (first run in 1873) by six years and the Kentucky Derby (first run in 1875) by eight.

There are 2 traditional drinks prepared for The Belmont Stakes:

1. White Carnation - this served as the official drink until 1997. I was unable to find one here, but here is one I found:
2 oz. Vodka
1/2 oz. Peach Schnapps
2 oz. Orange Juice
Soda
Splash of Cream
Crushed ice
~Stir liquors and soda together and pour over ice in a highball glass. Splash cream over top then garnish with an orange slice.

2. Belmont Breeze - the official drink, as served since 1998. (This drink was created by uber-bartender, Dale DeGroff.) Again, there was not one posted here, but here are 2 I've found:

1 1/2 oz. Seagrams 7
3/4 oz. Harveys Bristol Cream Sherry
1/2 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
1 oz. Simple Syrup
1 1/2 oz. Fresh Orange juice
1 1/2 oz. Cranberry juice
1 oz. of soda
1 oz. of 7up
fresh strawberry
lemon wedge
(**you may substitute 1 oz. of Sweet & Sour mix for the lemon juice and simple syrup although fresh ingredients are best)
~Shake first 6 ingredients with ice and top with half 7up and half soda, approximately one ounce of each. Garnish with fresh strawberry, a mint sprig, and a lemon wedge.

from Woodford's Reserve, official Bourbon of The Belmont Stakes
1.5 oz. Woodford Reserve Bourbon
2 oz. Lemonade
1 oz. Pomegranate Juice
~Shake vigorously with ice and serve in a rocks glass with ice. Garnish with cherry or lemon twist.

Belmont Stakes Traditions
White carnations to the winner
The silver trophy
Singing "New York, New York"

We'd love to hear of your traditions on race day; please share!

[BecR]

I plan on watching the races with my son and family.

Try a Thoroughbred Cocktail for a nice alternative to the traditional Mint Julep.

And, here's my Derby Day Menu!

Becky

Saturday Soiree - Derby Day Cocktail Party

[alligirl]

WOW, Thanks, Becky...you have it all planned out, don't you? I assume you'll be 'dressing the part', with hats and whole she-bang?

And that Thoroughbred Cocktail does look like a good alternative! My BFF makes this: Just Peachy with Maker's Mark...I've enjoyed it myself, a couple of times!

Hope you have a great party, and thanks so much for sharing...

Alli

[BecR]

alligirl wrote:
WOW, Thanks, Becky...you have it all planned out, don't you? I assume you'll be 'dressing the part', with hats and whole she-bang?

And that Thoroughbred Cocktail does look like a good alternative! My BFF makes this: Just Peachy with Maker's Mark...I've enjoyed it myself, a couple of times!

Hope you have a great party, and thanks so much for sharing...

Alli

Hi Alligirl, thanks for the well wishes but the soiree was kind of last minute so hopefully will pull it off in style. The just peachy cocktail sounds delish I've saved it to my cocktail cookbook.

The Art of the Cocktail

Here's the Kentucky Derby 2011 schedule, if anyone is interested!

Becky

http://www.kentuckyderby.info/kentuckyderby-schedule.php

[BecR]

Here's a sampling of Derby Day Hats I found on the net, that I thought you may enjoy. Which is your favorite??

[alligirl]

Becky, I think my faves are photos 3 and 4...they are all cute as a button! I just love hats!

Alli

[BecR]

alligirl wrote:
Becky, I think my faves are photos 3 and 4...they are all cute as a button! I just love hats!

Alli

Hi Alli, am happy that you like the hats! I too am a hat lover!

#3 the pretty pink hat is my favorite, I just love the femininity of it and my favorite color is pale pink! Also love the last photo of the little girl with her papa, so darling!

By the way, I went out yesterday and picked up two hats for myself, at Target! Now I need to embellish them.

Becky

[Debbwl]

Wow Alli didn’t know there were so many different drinks associated with the Derby as the only one can remember hearing about are Mint Juleps.


Bec, do believe Derby hats are almost as big a deal as the Derby itself.

[BecR]

Hi ya Deb, how ya doin'!

My sister's coworkers cousin John owns a horse named "Sauve Voir Faire" that ran in the Oaks Crown for best Fillie today, it was a 50 to 1. I don't know how she did, yet.

See you all tomorrow at the Derby broadcast at 2:00 PST with a mint julep (or other cocktail) in hand, I hope.

Becky

[alligirl]

Bumpity-Bump -

The Derby's tomorrow! Mint julep time! Who's your favorite to win? I think I'm going for ~I'll Have Another~!

Alli

[BecR]

Hiya Alligirl~

Yep, can u believe--- it's that time again!!

My sis (the horse "expert") says her favs are Gemologist, El Padrino (The Godfather), says she loves Hansen, and Bodemeister is still the fav.

Have a good one, hope you win!!ha ha and ~I'll have another~ two, too to you two, too! hic slurp....

XO Becky

[Dee514]

Thanks for posting the appropriate "Triple Crown" drink recipes!
I won't be having the usual Juleps this year, because I can't attend our "annual Derby party in Vermont" this year (helping DD with new "early birth" granddaughter in Massachusetts).

[alligirl]

BecR wrote:
Hiya Alligirl~

Yep, can u believe--- it's that time again!!

My sis (the horse "expert") says her favs are Gemologist, El Padrino (The Godfather), says she loves Hansen, and Bodemeister is still the fav.

Have a good one, hope you win!!ha ha and ~I'll have another~ two, too to you two, too! hic slurp....

XO Becky

I think DH is going for Bodemeister! Of course, he is the favorite! I just had to choose ~I'll Have Another~ it is definitely apropos, for this forum! If you're going to a party, BecR, I'm hoping you have a good time, and get to stomp on a divot or two!

Alli

[alligirl]

Dee514 wrote:
Thanks for posting the appropriate "Triple Crown" drink recipes!
I won't be having the usual Juleps this year, because I can't attend our "annual Derby party in Vermont" this year (helping DD with new "early birth" granddaughter in Massachusetts).

Dee, I'm sorry you're going to miss your annual party, but the reason you're missing it is priceless! And so are you, for being there for DD...Glad to hear everyone's home and doing OK! I'm voting for soaking the cherries; we'll share some later on.

Alli

[alligirl]

OMG, ~I'll Have Another~ WON! Can't believe it!

Alli