Derby drinks

The official drink of the Kentucky Derby is the Mint Julep..and boy are they good! Every year a new glass is designed and this is the 135th Kentucky Derby glass for this year. Vendors are everywhere with these glasses full of the sweet drink, lots of crushed ice, and a big o'stalk of mint...so, so good.

photo from www.thederbystore.com

The Early Times Mint Julep Recipe
2 cups sugar
2 cups water
Sprigs of fresh mint
Crushed ice
Early Times Kentucky Whisky
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 Whisky. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the outside of the cup. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

(recipe from http://www.kentuckyderby.com/)

ALSO, there is an official drink of the Kentucky Oaks called The Lilly. Check out the pretty glass for this year's race day:

From KentuckyOaks.com:
The signature cocktail of America's premier race for 3-year-old fillies was developed by the Brown-Forman Corporation of Louisville with a goal of creating a signature cocktail that reflected the essence of the Stargazer Lily. A breathtaking mantle of Stargazer Lilies is draped across the withers of the horse that wins each year's renewal of Churchill Downs' classic race for 3-year-old fillies.
A key ingredient of the "Oaks Lily®" is Finlandia Vodka, the official vodka of Churchill Downs.
1 oz. Vodka
1 oz. Sweet and Sour Mix
3 oz. Cranberry Juice
Splash of Triple Sec
When the ingredients are mixed, place the "Oaks Lily"TM in a tall glass with crushed ice, add a straw and garnish with an orange wedge and cherry.