The Run for the Roses!

Posted by Keith Saunders

Posted: April 30, 2008 - 1:47 pm

How exciting, another time honored tradition for parties built around specialty drinks and Bourbon.

Growing-up in Ohio, Kentucky Derby day was a sacred event in our house!

Happy Birthday Dad!

My father is from Kentucky and owned race horses. As far back as I can remember he raced them all over Ohio and parts of the East Coast.

It was an exciting time. One month built around the Triple-Crown, three elite horse races consisting of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.

Most fathers and sons bonded over baseball or football, my brothers and I bonded with our father while learning how to read racing forms and handicap races at Northfield or Thistledown Race Tracks.

I had my first taste of beer at one of these races with my uncles but that's another story.

Every year at this time we look to May and "The Run for the Roses."

The race this year is Saturday May 3rd with post time is at 2:04pm Alaska time.

For your amatuers post time is the start time of the race and when betting ends.

I've been a part of many parties over the years and I have some tips and recipes to share with all of you.

For those having your own Triple Crown parties here are a few Signature Cocktail recipes handed to me by a kindered spirit in cocktails back east named Ashley;

Mint Julep
(A treasured cocktail associated with this great race for over 100 years)

2 cups of sugar
2 cups of hot water
Several sprigs of mint
Crushed ice
Woodford Reserve Bourbon (the official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby)

Place sugar and water in a sauce pan and heat and stir until sugar is dissolved.

You've now made simple syrup!

Take a cocktail shaker and add 4-5 sprigs of mint, 2 Tablespoons of simple syrup and then fill with ice. Add 2 1/2 oz. of Woodford Reserve Bourbon. Shake vigorously and pour all of the contents into your favorite goblet. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

I recommend adding a splash of soda to give it a little evervescence.
but that's not part of the traditional recipe.

Preakness Stakes, May 17, 2008

Black-Eyed Susan (named for the official flower of Maryland)

1 oz. Cointreau
1 oz. Rum
1 oz. Vodka
Orange Juice
Pineapple Juice

Fill a highball glass with shaved ice and add the liquors first, then top with equal parts of pineapple and orange juice. Stir and garnish with a lime wedge.

Belmont Stakes, June 7, 2008

The Belmont Breeze (for two it's deadly and devine)
Created in 1998 by Dale DeGoff to replace the White Carnation.

1 1/2 oz. Makers Mark Bourbon
3/4 oz. Harveys Bristol Cream Sherry
3/4 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
3/4 oz. simple syrup
1 1/2 oz. Orange juice
1 1/2 oz. Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice.

Combine all ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake. Pour into a pint glass and garnish with one ounce each of 7-up and soda. Garnish with fresh strawberry and a mint sprig and a lemon wedge.

For your Kentucky Derby party if your not partial to mint like myself, try tipping your special bonnet back with one of these instead.

Julep Martini (you can add mint to this if you want to)

1 1/2 oz. Cointreau
1 1/2 oz. Woodford Reserve Bourbon
1/4 oz. Stoli Vanilla Vodka
1/4 oz. Peppermint Schnapps

Fill a martini shaker with ice and add all ingredients and shake. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with an orange twist.

Crown of Roses (my favorite and the ladies and guys will enjoy this one)

1 oz. Crown Royal Whiskey
1/2 oz. Amaretto
1 oz. pineapple juice
1/2 oz. Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice
3 dashes of bitters.

Fill a martini shaker with ice and add all ingredients and shake. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a cherry.

Lastly, it wouldn't be a party with out dip!

To soak up some that alcohol and keep you from wearing a lampshade instead of a classic derby try some of this deliscious spread.

A guaranteed hit!

Louisville Benedictine Dip

1 cucumber peeled
1 medium onion
1 lb. Cream Cheese
2-3 drops green food coloring

Grate cucumber and onion and drain well in a strainer, pressing down with the bottom of a spoon to remove all liquid. Add cucmber and onion to cream cheese and mix well in a food processor. Color with 2-3 drops of green food coloring. Serve with cracker or sliced french bread.

Enjoy the race!

Salut!

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