Four Drink recipes inspired by Kentucky Derby horse names

Feb 28, 2023 Ashley Anderson/TwinSpires.com

The traditional drink of choice for the Run for the Roses is the Mint Julep, but for those looking to think outside the box for your upcoming Kentucky Derby party, here are four unique cocktails inspired by horses who ran in the most exciting two minutes in sports.

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“The Midnight Bourbon”

Kentucky Derby finish: 6th in 2021

Fun fact: One of two bourbon-themed horse names in the 2021 Kentucky Derby (Bourbonic the other), Midnight Bourbon’s name was born from Winchell Thoroughbreds owner Ron Winchell’s connection to bourbon, both in his business endeavors and as a favorite libation shared with his buddies. The “midnight” part of the horse’s name relates to his dam, Catch the Moon, by Malibu Moon. Trained by Steve Asmussen, Midnight Bourbon went on to place second in the 2021 Preakness S. (G1), as well as the Travers (G1).

Drink recipe: Instead of serving the classic bourbon, simple syrup, and mint concoction consumed by thousands on Derby Day, go for a different type of bourbon potation — the “Old Forester Horses Neck,” a highball cocktail featuring ginger, aromatic bitters, and bourbon with a dash of citrus oil.

• Ingredients (from KentuckyDerby.com)
  • 2 ounces Old Forester 86 proof bourbon
  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters
  • Ginger ale
  • Long lemon peel
• Preparation
  
  • In an ice-filled Collins glass, combine bourbon, bitters, and top with ginger ale.
  • Peel a generous lemon peel, express a light squeeze of oil over the drink, and tuck the peel into the cocktail, winding through the ice.

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“The Vino Rosso”

Kentucky Derby finish: 9th in 2018

Fun fact: Named after the Italian phrase for red wine, Vino Rosso was a son of Curlin who got better with age, going from a 7-1-0-2 record as a three-year-old to a 6-3-1-1 mark in his four-year-old season, his last before retiring. The Todd Pletcher pupil closed out his career with a win in the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). He also triumphed in the Gold Cup at Santa Anita (G1) and 2018 Wood Memorial (G2).

Drink Recipe: Playing off the location of Vino Rosso’s first graded stakes win at Aqueduct, concoct a New York Sour, fused with bourbon, simple syrup, and — what else? — red wine.

• Ingredients (from foodandwine.com)
  • 1/4 cup (2 ounces) bourbon
  • 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
  • 1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) simple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) fruity red wine, such as a Zinfandel or Gamay
  • 1 strip lemon zest
• Preparation
  
  • Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Seal lid on shaker and shake for about 15 seconds, until chilled and frost forms on shaker. Strain into a rocks glass filled with large ice cubes.
  • Slowly, pour wine over the back of a spoon held just above the cocktail's surface, letting the wine float at top of glass. Pinch lemon peel over the cocktail and run around the rim of the glass.
  • Add peel to glass as a garnish.

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“The I’ll Have Another”

Kentucky Derby finish: 1st in 2012

Fun fact: While the expression “I’ll have another” is often associated with drinking, the Kentucky Derby champion by the same name was given the unique sobriquet as a nod to the phrase commonly uttered by owner J. Paul Reddam when his wife would ask him if he wanted more of her homemade chocolate chip cookies. The horse’s moniker quickly became a fan favorite back in 2012, and he drew even more attention after he won the Kentucky Derby at 15-1 odds, then followed up his victory with a narrow win in the Preakness. Unfortunately, a tendon injury kept him from running in the third leg of the Triple Crown, and he was subsequently retired to stud.

Drink recipe: For a sweeter offering on your drink menu, treat your guests to a Mint Chocolate Chip shot, combining Reddam’s affection for chocolate chip cookies and the signature garnish of the Kentucky Derby’s most famous cocktail.

• Ingredients (from liquor.com)
  • 4 ounces Baileys Irish Cream
  • 4 ounces creme de menthe
  • 4 ounces Frangelico
  • Chocolate sauce, to coat glasses
  • Garnish: mint leaves
  • Garnish: whipped cream
• Preparation
  • Combine Baileys Irish Cream, creme de menthe, and Frangelico in a pitcher, then chill in the refrigerator.
  • Drizzle chocolate sauce in each of eight shot glasses.
  • Add 1 1/2 ounces of the pre-batched drink to each glass.
  • Garnish with mint leaves and whipped cream.

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“The Go for Gin”

Kentucky Derby finish: 1st in 1994

Fun fact: The second of two Kentucky Derby winners for trainer Nick Zito, Go for Gin is not actually named for the clear alcoholic spirit, but for the phrase associated with the game gin rummy. The Derby runner’s moniker was inspired by Go for Gin’s dam, Never Knock. In gin rummy, a player indicates a loss with a “knock,” and thus, if a player hasn’t knocked, they can still win and “go for gin.” Go for Gin was a 9-1 choice in the 1994 Kentucky Derby, with the favorite, Holy Bull, finishing far back in 12th. Sixth-place finisher Tabasco Cat went on to win the other two legs of the Triple Crown. Go for Gin was second in both.

Drink recipe: As a nod to “gin rummy,” combine gin and rum (and a whole lot of other liquors) to craft a real Long Island Iced Tea, which also provides a nice tie to Zito’s home state of New York. The recipe below is arguably the only correct way to make an LIT.

• Ingredients (from allrecipes.com)
  • 1/2 ounce vodka
  • 1/2 ounce rum
  • 1/2 ounce gin
  • 1/2 ounce tequila
  • 1/2 ounce triple sec (orange-flavored liqueur)
  • 1 ounce sweet and sour mix
  • 1 ounce cola, or to taste
  • 1 lemon slice
• Preparation
  • Gather all ingredients and fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour vodka, rum, gin, tequila, triple sec, and sour mix over ice, then cover and shake.
  • Pour cocktail into a Collins or hurricane glass and top with a splash of cola for color.
  • Garnish with a lemon slice.

RELATED: Kentucky Derby fashion over the decades 1875-2024

Other fun drink-related names of Kentucky Derby starters

• Keen Ice, 2015
• Desert Wine, 1983
• Kentucky Sherry,  1968
• Bourbon Prince, 1960
• Mor Spirit, 2016
• Java’s War, 2013
• Stay Thirsty, 2011
• Ice Box, 2010
• Liquidity, 2007