5 Derby Day Cocktails with a Connecticut Twist
Locally inspired sips to elevate your Kentucky Derby celebration on the Shoreline
Derby Day isn’t just about the race—it’s about the ritual. The mint julep may be tradition, but here on the Connecticut Shoreline, we like to bring a little coastal charm to our cocktail glass. Think botanicals from local gardens, honey harvested just down the road, and small-batch spirits that carry a sense of place.
Whether you’re hosting a backyard watch party or picnicking seaside in a wide-brimmed hat, these five Derby Day cocktails offer a distinctly Connecticut take on Southern style.
The Long Island Sound Julep
A fresh twist on the classic, with wildflower honey and local lavender
Ingredients:
2 oz Litchfield Distillery Bourbon
½ oz wildflower honey syrup (1:1 honey + warm water)
4 fresh mint leaves
A dash of lavender bitters (or muddled dried lavender)
Crushed ice
Fresh mint and lavender sprig, for garnish
Directions:
Gently muddle mint leaves and honey syrup in a julep cup. Add bourbon and a dash of lavender bitters. Fill the cup with crushed ice and stir until frost forms. Top with more ice, then garnish with mint and a sprig of lavender.
The Lemon Verbena Derby Fizz
Herbal, bright, and made for spring afternoons on the porch
Ingredients:
1½ oz gin (try Seaside Gin from Fifth State Distillery, Bridgeport)
¾ oz fresh lemon juice
½ oz lemon verbena simple syrup
Splash of soda water
Lemon wheel and herb sprig, for garnish
Directions:
Shake gin, lemon juice, and syrup with ice. Strain into a Collins glass over fresh ice. Top with soda water and garnish. Bonus points if your lemon verbena came from your own garden.
The Guilford Smash
A berry-forward bourbon cocktail that looks as good as it tastes
Ingredients:
2 oz Litchfield Distillery Bourbon
3 fresh strawberries, hulled
½ oz lemon juice
½ oz Connecticut maple syrup
Fresh basil leaves
Crushed ice
Directions:
Muddle strawberries, basil, lemon juice, and maple syrup in a shaker. Add bourbon and ice, then shake well. Strain into a rocks glass over crushed ice and garnish with a basil sprig or strawberry slice.
The Shoreline Spritz
Peachy and effervescent, this is the cocktail your Derby hat was made for
Ingredients:
1 oz peach liqueur (or muddled fresh peach in season)
2 oz sparkling rosé (try Stonington Vineyards Seaport Rosé)
½ oz lemon juice
Dash of orange bitters
Mint, for garnish
Directions:
Build in a wine glass over ice: add peach liqueur, lemon juice, and rosé. Stir gently and add a dash of bitters. Garnish with mint and a smile.
The Salt Meadow Mule
Zippy, herbal, and inspired by our shoreline’s tidal wetlands
Ingredients:
2 oz vodka (try Litchfield Distillery Vodka)
½ oz local honey syrup
½ oz lime juice
Ginger beer
Lemon thyme, for garnish
Directions:
Shake vodka, lime juice, and honey syrup with ice. Strain into a copper mug or rocks glass over fresh ice. Top with ginger beer and a sprig of lemon thyme for a hit of garden fragrance.
Tips for Derby Day Entertaining on the Shoreline
Batch ahead: Prep syrups and garnishes the day before so you’re race-day ready.
Use local: Litchfield Distillery and Fifth State offer shoreline-worthy spirits with serious character.
Style it up: Serve drinks in julep cups, highballs, and vintage glassware for Southern charm meets coastal chic.
Pair it right: Try oysters on the half shell, pimento cheese crostini, or fried chicken sliders for perfect coastal pairings.
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Looking for the perfect fall indulgence? Al Roker's Bourbon Apple Pie Milkshake from his new cookbook Recipes to Live By blends the rich flavors of apple pie, creamy vanilla ice cream, and a splash of bourbon. This decadent treat is the ultimate way to savor the season. Grab the recipe and cozy up with this autumn delight!