Kentucky Derby + Point-to-Point + Cinco de Mayo 2013 = many North Delaware tailgating and party hosting opportunities.

Whether you’re having a Derby Party or in charge of Cocktails for your elite Point-to-Point steeple chase race tailgate at Winterthur or Cinco de Mayo celebration this weekend, impress your friends with a signature cocktail for every sake. These cocktails mix and mingle.

Mint Julep

The Mint Julep is featured in honor of  “the Greatest two minutes in sports“, the Kentucky Derby.  The Mint Julep has been the traditional beverage of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby for nearly a century. Each year, almost 120,000 Early Times Mint Juleps are served over the two-day period of the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby. This is a feat that requires over 10,000 bottles of Early Times Mint Julep Ready-to-Serve Cocktail, 1,000 pounds of freshly harvested mint and 60,000 pounds of ice.

• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups water
• Sprigs of fresh mint
• Crushed ice
• Early Times Kentucky Bourbon
• Silver Julep Cups

Make a simple syrup by boiling sugar and water together for five minutes. Cool and place in a covered container with six or eight sprigs of fresh mint, then refrigerate overnight. Make one julep at a time by filling a julep cup with crushed ice, adding one tablespoon mint syrup and two ounces of Early Times Kentucky Bourbon. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the outside of the cup. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

The official mint julep glass is the most popular souvenir for Derby guests and will become a collector’s item.  They make great gifts for your guests and look even better with the drink inside!

The Oaks Lily ®

Lillies for the Fillies. In 2006, Kentucky Oaks fans were given the opportunity to launch a new tradition by raising a glass filled with a delicious concoction that is now known as the “Grey Goose® Oaks Lily®,” the official cocktail of the Kentucky Oaks. The Brown-Forman Corporation of Louisville created this more “feminine” cocktail as a symbol of the hot pink and white stargazwer garland of lillies that’s adorned by the philly that claims them.

In 2009, Churchill Downs conducted its first PINK OUT and teamed up with the local breast cancer initiative, Horses and Hope, to donate $1 from every Grey Goose® Oaks Lily sold on Kentucky Oaks Day. To date, Churchill Downs has donated $90,000 to Horses and Hope to aid in their outreach program in Kentucky’s horse racing industry. When you’re here enjoying all the fun of Kentucky Oaks Day remember to order a refreshing Grey Goose® Oaks Lily for a great cause.

• 1 oz. Grey Goose® Vodka
• 1 oz. Sweet and Sour Mix
• 3 oz. Cranberry Juice
• Splash of Triple Sec

When the ingredients are mixed, place the pinkish cocktail in an official Oaks Lily® glass (stem-less wine glass) with crushed ice, add a straw and garnish with an orange wedge and cherry.

Blanco Mojito

The Mojito goes Mexican! A mouthwatering mixture of DON JULIO® Blanco Tequila, fresh lime and muddled mint over ice with a splash of club soda…get ready to salsa!

• 1 1/2 oz DON JULIO® Blanco Tequila
• 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• fresh mint, muddled
• fresh limes, cut into small pieces
• 1 oz. club soda
• 1 mint sprig

Put all ingredients except club soda and mint sprig into a mixing glass. Add ice and shake vigorously. Add club soda, shake once, and pour into a tall glass. Garnish with a mint sprig.

Mink Coat and No Manners

Love it! This is a dressed-up tequila shot that’s ready to go out and get festive! Viva México!

• 3/4 oz DON JULIO® Blanco Tequila
• 3/4 oz Green French Herbal Liqueur
• 1 pinch Cayenne Pepper

Pour the frozen green French herbal liqueur into a sherry copita glass. Float DON JULIO® on top. Sprinkle on un po·qui·to cayenne pepper.

Bloody Caesar

Brother to Mary…We hear it’s the official drink of O’Canada because of the Clamato juice but you don’t have to be Mexican to celebrate Cinco de Mayo style! ¡salud!

– 1 oz DON JULIO® Blanco Tequila
– 4 oz clamato
– 0.5 oz lime fresh juice
– 1 tsp hot sauce mexican style
– 1 dash worcestershire sauce
– 3 oz mexican style lager beer

Combine first 5 ingredients in an ice filled shaker. Shake well and strain into an ice filled glass rimmed with chili-salt or good ‘ol eastern shore Old Bay Seasoning. Garnish with a lime wedge and celery stalk.

Jalepeno Beerita

A magarita with a cerveza and a kick!

– 3/4 oz  Tequila
– 1/4 oz Triple Sec
– 2 thin jalapeño pepper slices
– 1/2 oz fresh lime juice (or limeade)
– 1/2 oz agave nectar (optional)
– 5 oz mexican style beer

Combine the first section of ingredients in an ice filled shaker glass. Shake well. Strain into an ice-filled glass. Pour in the beer. Stir to combine. Garnish with a lime wedge.

The best times are enjoyed responsibly.

Please don’t drink and drive.