It’s almost time to don our floppy hats! The Kentucky Derby is just around the corner—an annual event in which folks from all over the world gather to watch the horse race and sip on delicious, refreshing drinks. But before you put all bets on the classic mint julep as the frontrunner cocktail, consider quenching your thirst with an Oaks Lily drink. It’s the official beverage of the Kentucky Oaks—a race held the day prior to the Derby. And the Oaks Lily is quickly gaining on the Julep when it comes to drink orders at the Derby itself.
If you plan on throwing a Kentucky Derby party, add the Oaks Lily to your list of ideas for snacks and drinks!
How to Make the Oaks Lily Drink at Home
Inspired by the beloved cosmopolitan, the Lily drink sports a hot pink color that represents the prized garland of stargazer lilies draped over the victorious filly’s shoulders.
What You’ll Need
- 1 1/4 oz vodka
- 1 oz. sweet and sour mix
- 1/4 oz triple sec
- 3 oz cranberry juice (not cranberry cocktail)
- Blackberries, for garnish
- Lemon wedges, for garnish
Step 1: Shake It Up
Add the vodka, sweet and sour mix, Triple Sec and cranberry juice to a cocktail shaker. Give it a good shake, then pour the pink drink into stemless wine glasses filled with ice cubes (crushed, if you’re fancy).
Step 2: Top It Off
Garnish each drink with a plump blackberry and fresh lemon wedge.
The Derby website recommends using Grey Goose, but it also tells us Finlandia is the official vodka of the Kentucky Derby. We say you can’t go wrong with either!
Get Ready for the Races With These Snacks
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Gentleman’s Whiskey Bacon Jam
You can slather this smoky bacon jam on pretty much anything. It lasts only a week in the fridge, so I freeze small amounts for a quick snack with crackers. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Mini Hot Browns
Here's my take on the famous Hot Brown sandwich. Guests quickly saddle up for juicy turkey slices and crispy bacon, piled on toasted rye bread and then topped with a rich cheese sauce. —Annette Grahl, Midway, Kentucky
Baked Oysters with Tasso Cream
I love nothing more than a cold beer and a shucked oyster, so when my partners and I opened Saw’s Juke Joint in Birmingham, Alabama, we wanted to add them to the menu. We love making them, we love serving them and our guests love eating them. —Taylor Hicks, Las Vegas, Nevada
Bourbon Meatballs
Kick up your meatballs with a splash of bourbon and vinegar for punchy sweet-and-sour flavor. —Kimla Carsten, Grand Junction, Colorado
Pickled Green Beans with Smoked Salmon Dip
I came up with this appetizer for my son, who's big on delicious but healthy food. The lighter beans-and-dip combo has won over even finicky eaters. —Dinah Halterman, Harmony, North Carolina
Watermelon Cups
This lovely appetizer is almost too pretty to eat! Sweet watermelon cubes hold a refreshing topping that showcases cucumber, red onion and fresh herbs. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Sweet Onion Pimiento Cheese Deviled Eggs
For my mother's 92nd birthday, we had pimiento cheese deviled eggs as part of the spread. They’re timeless and always in good taste. —Linda Foreman, Locust Grove, Oklahoma
Ham 'n' Cheese Biscuit Stacks
I make these finger sandwiches for holidays and Super Bowl parties, too. They’re pretty enough for a baby shower and hearty enough for the guys. —Kelly Williams, Forked River, New Jersey
Tzatziki Shrimp Cucumber Rounds
I created this recipe with what I had on hand one night, and now it’s one of my husband’s favorites! The bacon-wrapped shrimp, garlicky sauce and burst of cool cuke flavor make this a crowd pleaser. —Shannon Rose Trelease, East Hampton, New York
Quick Jalapeno Hush Puppies
The crunchy exterior of these southern-style snacks is a nice contrast to the moist cornbread. Jalapeno peppers and hot sauce add a hint of heat.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Air Fryer Quentin’s Peach-Bourbon Wings
My father and husband love bourbon flavor, so I add it to tangy wings air-fried in peach preserves. Stand back and watch these wings fly. —Christine Winston, Richmond, Virginia
Smoked Pimiento Cheese Crostini
Pimiento cheese has long been a favorite in our family, so these bite-sized appetizers are a treat! I add Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce to give them a little kick. Caramelized onions create another layer of flavor. You can make the cheese and onions three to five days in advance; they store well. If you need to save time, you can use premade jalapeno pimiento cheese. —Caitlyn Bunch, Trenton, Georgia
Ham Pickle Pinwheels
My mom introduced me to this ham pickle pinwheels appetizer a number of years ago, and I've been making them for parties ever since. They're easy to make and are always well received by guests. —Gloria Jarrett, Loveland, Ohio
Honey-Mint Lamb Skewers
My hearty lamb bites are delicious and convenient. Assemble them the day before, then pop them under the broiler when the party starts. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Shrimp in Phyllo Cups
I almost didn’t make these appetizers for last year’s Christmas party because I was running out of time, but I knew they’d be a tasty hit. Simple to make, the cups have few ingredients and look beautiful on the plate—very gourmet! This turned out to be one of the night’s favorites, and they just flew off the plate. —Terri Edmunds, Naperville, Illinois
Benedictine Dip
Benedictine is a creamy spread studded with chopped cucumbers. It was named in honor of Jennie Carter Benedict, a chef and restaurateur from Louisville, Kentucky, who created the condiment at the turn of the 20th century. Originally used for cucumber sandwiches, Benedictine is now commonly enjoyed as a cold dip for chips or spread on crackers. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Strawberry Corn Salsa
This recipe makes art in a bowl! All the colors of summer are captured in this salsa with a fresh, light flavor perfect for snacking between swims or to kick off a backyard barbecue. This can be served with chips or alone as a side dish. —Catherine Goza, Charlotte, North Carolina
Mini Corn Muffins with Spicy Cheddar Filling
These savory little muffins were a hit at the neighborhood card party. They're pleasingly different from the usual chip-and-dip appetizers. —Margaret Blair, Lorimor, Iowa
Oyster Cheese Appetizer Log
When you say "holiday tradition" around our house, this appetizer comes to mind immediately. Every winter, I make lots of cheese logs and freeze them for when I'm expecting company or need to take food to someone's home. The blend of smoked oysters, chili powder, nuts and cream cheese tastes good-even people who don't like oysters may enjoy this interesting appetizer. —William Tracy, Jerseyville, Illinois
Pickled Peaches
Fresh peach quarters soaked in vinegar, sugar and warm spices is a classic Southern treat. Serve with ice cream, pound cake, roasted meat and veggies or mix into your favorite salad greens.—Nick Iverson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Slow-Cooker Cheddar Bacon Beer Dip
My tangy, smoky dip won the top prize at our office party recipe contest. Use your favorite beer or ale, but steer clear of dark varieties. —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Hearty Rye Melts
When we moved from the Midwest to Kentucky, we were invited to a neighborhood gathering, where this appetizer was served. “Hanky panky”—as it’s often called around here—is traditionally served at Derby Day parties, but at our home it’s become a year-round favorite.
Bourbon Candied Bacon Deviled Eggs
At our house, it doesn’t get any better than deviled eggs with bacon—bourbon candied bacon, that is. See if you can resist them. We can’t. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Shrimp Salad Cocktails
This appetizer looks elegant and beautiful in a stemmed glass...and it tastes even better. For a special touch, garnish each glass with an extra shrimp. —Sue Sonnenberg, Napoleon, Ohio
Chocolate Pecan Pie Snack Mix
My crowd-pleasing party mix is buttery, chocolaty and nutty. The recipe yields a party-size portion, but I recommend keeping it covered so it doesn’t disappear before the event. —Annette Niemiec, Scottsdale, Arizona
Ham & Brie Pastries
Growing up, I loved pocket pastries. Now with a busy family, I need quick bites, and my spin on the classic ham and cheese delivers at snack or supper time. —Jennifer Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California
Tomato Fritters
I got the basic recipe for these fritters from a friend, then I tweaked it for my family's tastes. It's one of our very favorite things in the summer. We love them right after they've been fried, when they're still hot and crispy. —Pam Halter, Bridgeton, New Jersey
Ham-Spinach Crepe Cups
Using ingredients you likely already have on hand, these savory crepes will add fun to your celebration for mere pennies. Plus, by changing the filling to something sweet, such as berries and whipped cream you can create a great dessert. —Kathi Grenier, Auburn, Maine
Rustic Tuscan Pepper Bruschetta
If you love sweet red, yellow and orange peppers, pair them with fresh mint for a cold kitchen appetizer. Marinate for up to one hour before assembling. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Southern Pimiento Cheese Spread
A classic southern comfort food, this spread is used as an appetizer with crackers, corn chips or celery. It is also smeared between two slices of white bread for sandwiches and as a topping for hamburgers and hot dogs. —Eileen Balmer, South Bend, Indiana
Bacon-Wrapped Blue Cheese Shrimp
Blue cheese, bacon and basil pack big flavor into a couple of bites. To save time, you can assemble the skewers the night before and then serve them hot from the broiler on the day. —Vivi Taylor, Middleburg, Florida
Mini Mac & Cheese Bites
Young relatives were coming for a Christmas party, so I wanted something fun for them to eat. Instead, the adults devoured my mini mac and cheese. —Kate Mainiero, Elizaville, New York
Fried Chicken and Pulled Pork Cornbread Poppers
These fun little apps are an instant conversation starter wherever they're served. We love them on game day, but they'd be a hit at brunch, too. —Crystal Schlueter, Babbitt, Minnesota
Brie Appetizers with Bacon-Plum Jam
Among my friends, I'm known as the Pork Master because I love to cook just about every cut there is. These appetizers combine soft, mild Brie cheese with a sweet-sour bacon jam that has a touch of Sriracha sauce. —Rick Pascocello, New York, New York
Shrimp Appetizer Spread
There's no secret to this creamy seafood appetizer—it's simply delicious! I first tasted it at a friend's house and liked it so much, I requested the recipe. It's since become a family favorite! —Brenda Buhler, Abbotsford, British Columbia
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The post How to Make an Oaks Lily, the Derby Drink You Never Knew You Needed appeared first on Taste of Home.
Ceara Milligan