[…] been working on my collection of food photography backdrops, everything from antique barn wood to oversized floor tiles (so pretty, but heavy!). Choosing the best background for your photography is essential as it is […]
A tart and refreshingly spring cocktail that mixes bourbon with fresh clementine juice, honey, and thyme.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please visit the Disclosure Page to read my full disclosure policy.
It’s crazy sometimes how time flies. It’s been two years already since our incredible trip to Kentucky for the Keeneland Derby in 2015. Since then we’ve said our wedding vows, added a second puppy to our family, and seen our friends family’s grow with the birth of multiple babies. It makes you realize the importance of the concept of living in the moment. We have these memories for the rest of our lives, but we will never quite be in that place again.
Our next “friends trip” will be filled now with laughing babies and jokes about Diaper Genies. (What are those things, seriously, though?) They will require double the cost on dog boarding while we’re out of town, and they won’t carry quite so many late night dance parties as they used to. But I hope they continue to be filled with beautiful friends and family, and delicious food and drink. Because those are the things that last: the people who we gather around the table with, and the food we cook to share with them.
And for you to share with your loved ones is a Derby inspired cocktail of my own! As I previously wrote about, I’m becoming a big fan of bourbon after we headed down to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail for my sister’s bachelorette party last year. Because it is such a potent liquor with a bite to it, I like to pair my bourbon with real fresh flavors. In this case: fresh squeezed clementine juice with just-picked thyme!
Related: The Fontleroy
The fresh clementine juice really helps to balance out the strength of the bourbon, and a splash of Cointreau rounds out the citrus flavors. Topping it with a honey simple syrup and a few dashes of bitters completes the drink before shaking it like crazy in your cocktail shaker!
Related: Bringing Back Cocktail Hour + Rosemary Honey Vodka Spritzers
Pair this tasty treat with lots of finger foods and appetizers for your Derby party, such as:
- Prosciutto Crostini with Burrata and Lemon Honey Drizzle
- Shrimp Toasts with Fresh Cucumber and Radishes
- Mini Chicken and Waffles Hors D’Oeuvres
- Goat Cheese Dip with Champagne Shallot Vinaigrette
- Mushroom Duxelle Crostini with Goat Cheese and Balsamic Reduction
Now it’s your turn: what is your favorite Derby cocktail? Share with me by commenting below!
A Derby Cocktail
2017-04-14 17:49:02
Serves 1
A tart and refreshingly spring cocktail that mixes bourbon with fresh clementine juice, honey, and thyme.
Prep Time
5 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
15 min
Ingredients
- 3 sprigs thyme, divided
- 1 1/2 ounces bourbon
- 2 1/2 ounces fresh clementine juice
- 1/2 ounce Cointreau
- 1/2 ounce honey simple syrup
- 3 dashes bitters
For honey simple syrup
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 cup water
To prepare honey simple syrup
- In a small saucepan, combine honey and water over medium heat. Stir occasionally until honey is fully dissolved. Allow to cool to room temperature and then transfer to airtight container. Store in refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.
To prepare cocktail
- Fill a champagne coupe with ice water and set aside. To a shaker, add two sprigs thyme, bourbon, clementine juice, Cointreau, honey simple syrup, and bitters. Fill shaker with ice and replace lid. Shake vigorously until combined, about 20-25 seconds. Drain ice water from coupe glass and strain contents of shaker into chilled glass. Garnish with remaining thyme sprig if desired.
The Charming Detroiter https://thecharmingdetroiter.com/
bourbon bourbon cocktail clementine clementine cocktail derby derby cocktail honey kentucky derby simple syrup thyme
What a delicious drink. I tried it yesterday and I loved it. The mix of clementine juice and with bourbon surprised me with a tasty refreshment that I haven’t seen before. Love it!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the cocktail, Susan! I do love this combo because sometimes it’s hard to make a bourbon drink that is really REFRESHING – and this recipe does just that in my opinion 🙂 thank you for your comment!