If a horse happens to be racing for the Triple Crown, it’s the perfect excuse to throw a party! Since a Triple Crown winner is such a rare occurrence, take advantage of the moment and host a Triple Crown party with yummy themed cocktails based on all three races: the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Kentucky; Preakness Stakes in Baltimore, Maryland; and Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York.
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Belmont Jewel Cocktail
The Belmont Jewel (pictured above) is the current signature cocktail of the Belmont Stakes. It officially replaced the former signature cocktail, the Belmont Breeze, in 2011 because of its simplicity.
Ingredients
1 1/2 oz bourbon whiskey
2 oz lemonade
1 oz pomegranate juice
Ice for shaking and serving
Lemon wedge or wheel for garnish
Instructions
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
Pour in the bourbon, lemonade, and pomegranate juice.
Shake vigorously for about 8 to 10 seconds until chilled.
Strain the mixture over fresh ice into a rocks or old-fashioned glass.
Garnish with a lemon wedge or wheel
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The White Carnation
This cocktail is named after the flowers given to the winner of the Belmont Stakes.
Ingredients
2 oz vodka
1/2 oz peach schnapps
2 oz freshly squeezed orange juice
Splash of soda water
Splash of heavy cream
Stir and pour over ice in a champagne or highball glass. Garnish with an orange slice.
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Long Island Iced Tea
This cocktail is a fitting nod to New York, home of the Belmont Stakes.
Ingredients
1 part vodka
1 part tequila
1 part run
1 part gin
1 part triple sec
1 1/2 part sour mix
1 splash cola drink
Mix ingredients together over ice in a glass. Pour into shaker and shake once. Pour back into the glass and make sure there is fizz on top. Garnish with cherries.
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Bourbon Smash
This drink is a fun twist on the Kentucky Derby's classic Mint Julep.
Ingredients
1/2 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
1 tbsp. sugar
1 lime wedge
3 mint leaves
1/4 cup bourbon
Crushed ice
Chill a glass and place berries, sugar, lime and mint inside. Muddle the ingredients at the bottom. Fill the glass with ice and bourbon and stir.
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Fresh Southern Lemonade
In honor of the Derby, make this sweet concoction for non-alcoholic beverage guests will love.
Ingredients
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup boiling water
1 tbsp grated lemon rind
1 3/4 cups fresh lemon juice (about 9 large lemons, no seeds)
5 cup water
Stir together sugar and boiling water until sugar dissolves. Add lemon rind, juice and water. Chill and serve over ice.
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Blackberry Iced Tea
This drink is a fruity, refreshing twist on classic Southern sweet tea.
Ingredients
3 cups blackberries (frozen or fresh)
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup simple syrup
1 tbsp chopped fresh mint
4 1/2 cups boiling water
2 family-size tea bags
2 1/2 cups cold water
Combine blackberries and sugar in a bowl and crush berries with spoon. Add mint and simple syrup and set aside. Pour boiling water over tea bags, cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Throw away tea bags and pour tea over blackberry mixture. Allow everything to sit for one hour and then pour liquid through a strainer into a large pitcher. Add the rest of the water, cover and chill.
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Black Eyed Susan
The signature fruity and refreshing cocktail of the Preakness Stakes, this beverage is sure to please guests!
Ingredients
1 oz bourbon whiskey
1 oz vodka
1 oz peach schnapps
2 oz orange juice
2 oz sour mix
Orange slice and maraschino cherry (for garnish)
Instructions
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
Add the bourbon, vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, and sour mix.
Shake vigorously for about 20 seconds until well chilled.
Strain the mixture into a tall glass filled with crushed ice.
Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry
Watching a Thoroughbred horse win the Triple Crown is the perfect reason to celebrate and spend time with friends before all the craziness of summer begins. Enjoy these cocktails as you cheer on the potential Triple Crown winner, and be sure to send online Triple Crown party invitations that can be customized in minutes.
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