Derby Day Cocktails

by Cindi SutterFounder & Editor of Spirited Table®

Whether your bets are on Magnum Moon, Good Magic or Audible, The Regency Bar & Grill in New York, Bank & Bourbon in Philadelphia and Precinct Kitchen + Bar in Boston will be race day ready with a selection of signature cocktails.

No matter which cocktail you choose, you’ll be sipping in style for one of the biggest horse racing events of the season. 

THE REGENCY BAR & GRILL, NEW YORK- Sip on these specialty cocktails from Flavor New York partner, Brooklyn Gin

Gin Julep

Ingredients
12 mint leaves
1 sugar cube
Angostura bitters
2 oz. Brooklyn Gin

Instructions

  1. Place mint, bitters and sugar cube in the bottom of julep cup, lightly muddle, add gin and top with crushed ice, swizzle, keeping mint at the bottom, and garnish with a beautiful mint sprig top

Improved Pendennis Club
Ingredients

3/4 oz. fresh lime juice
1/2 oz. apricot liqueur
1/4 oz. Simple syrup
2 oz. Brooklyn Gin
2 Dashes Peychaud's bitters

Instructions

  1. Combine ingredients in a shaker, shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass

Garland Fizz

Ingredients
3/4 fresh lemon juice
1/2 simple syrup
1/2 St Germain
1/2 Applejack
1 1/2 Brooklyn Gin
Egg white

Instructions

  1. Combine ingredients in a shaker without ice, and shake to emulsify, add ice and shake again, strain into a fizz glass and top with soda, garnish with an orange twist rolled into a flower shape and speared with a pick.

BANK & BOURBON, PHILADELPHIA
Grab your reins and head to Bank & Bourbon for a festive Jersey Julep while you watch the Kentucky Derby on one of the biggest screens in Philadelphia! 

Jersey Julep

Jersey Julep

Ingredients
1 oz. Applejack Brandy
1 oz. Rittenhouse Rye
Dash Benedictine Liqueur
3 sprigs mint
½ oz. pear syrup  

Instructions

  1. To make pear syrup combine equal parts sugar and water and cook over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Add 1 sliced pear and let sit for 1 day. Strain through a fine mesh sieve to separate pear from syrup. 
  2. Rip off bottom half of mint and briefly muddle in copper mug with pear syrup. Add liquors and fill ½ of the mug with crushed ice. Agitate with bar spoon until half melted and fill to mound until full. Garnish with mint sprigs and lime or sliced pear

PRECINCT KITCHEN + BAR, BOSTON
If you can’t decide if you want to celebrate Cinco de Mayo or the Kentucky Derby then just celebrate both at this Boston bar in Back Bay. Guests can enjoy classics like a Mint Julip or Caballo Picante for the holidays. 

Mint Julep

Ingredients
2 oz. Bulleit Bourbon
1 oz. Simple Syrup

Instructions

  1. Crushed Mint Garnish and Fresh Mint Sprig
  2. Serve in a Highball with crushed ice