The Brown Derby cocktail, despite its name, has no direct connection to the Kentucky Derby or horse racing. The drink is named after the iconic Brown Derby, a Los Angeles diner shaped like a hat, which opened in the 1920s and became a popular restaurant chain. Seriously, it was a restaurant shaped like a hat. And it was at this uniquely shaped diner that the Brown Derby cocktail, a sweet bourbon-based grapefruit mix, emerged as a signature drink. Offering a smooth and flavorful alternative to the traditional Mint Julep, it makes a sophisticated choice for Derby Day celebrations.

Brown Derby Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients

To craft your own Brown Derby cocktail, you will need the following ingredients:

• 1 ½ ounces of bourbon
• 1 ounce of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
• ½ ounce of honey syrup (1:1 honey and water)
• Honey syrup can be substituted for 1/3 oz maple syrup

Method

1. Combine the bourbon, fresh grapefruit juice, and honey syrup in a shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake the mixture vigorously until well-chilled and thoroughly blended.
3. Strain the concoction into a chilled cocktail glass.
4. Optionally, garnish your cocktail with a grapefruit twist or a slice of grapefruit for a colorful display.
5. If you choose to make the drink with maple syrup, garnish with a lemon twist.

Tasty Modifications

The Green Derby Day cocktail is a twist on the traditional beverage using the following ingredients:

• 1 ½ ounces of whiskey
• 3 ounces of grapefruit juice
• Lime wedges for garnishing
• Ice