The Kentucky Derby is considered by most to be the most prestigious horse race in the world. It’s the first leg of the famous “Triple Crown,” followed by the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes.

The one and a quarter miles of track at Churchill Downs doesn’t take long to run: It’s known as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” or “The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports.” A blanket of roses is draped over the winner.

Certainly, it’s an occasion to invite friends over to watch the Derby and enjoy a cocktail.

We’ve got two cocktail suggestions: the special “Run For The Roses” cocktail from Grey Goose, below, created for the 2010 Kentucky Derby; and the classic Mint Julep in the next post.

Run for the roses, run for the cocktails.
Photo courtesy Grey Goose.

Ingredients

• 3 parts Grey Goose L’Orange Vodka
• 2 parts peach brandy
• 2 parts southern-style sweet iced tea (recipe below)
• 2 parts fresh lime juice
• 2 organic rose petals for garnish (organic flowers are not sprayed with chemical pesticides)
• Chambord (raspberry liqueur) for floating
• Ice cubes and crushed ice

Preparation

1. Combine the first four ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker is frosted and beaded with sweat. Strain into two rocks glasses filled with crushed ice.

2. Slowly pour Chambord so that it floats on the top of the drink.

3. Garnish drink with rose petals.

Southern Sweet Iced Tea Recipe

1. Add five tea bags (or equivalent loose black tea) to one quart of boiling water.

2. Steep for ten minutes and add one cup of sugar while tea bags are steeping. Stir to dissolve.

3. Place in refrigerator to cool.

The cocktail was created by Nick Mautone, master mixologist for Grey Goose Vodka and author of Raising the Bar: Better Drinks, Better Entertaining.