Woodford Reserve allows us to create decadent cocktails perfect for a Kentucky Derby

Woodford Reserve is ready for the Kentucky Derby

Woodford Reserve is not only the perfect Kentucky Straight Bourbon for decadent cocktails, but they are also doing their part to honor Kentucky Derby history. So what does this all mean? Well one, it means we have some amazing cocktail recipes to share with you. And it also means that we have some really cool news that goes along with the Bourbon preparing for the Derby.

First up, we should definitely talk about the fact that Woodford Reserve is honoring the 50th anniversary of Jockey Diane Crump becoming the first female rider at the Kentucky Derby. And to do that, the company released 146 julep cups on Aug. 3 with cups one through 25 being numbered and gold-plated, while 26 through 146 are silver-plated. The gold-plated cups are $2,500 each, while the silver-plated cups are $1,000.

The money raised from the sales of these julep cups will be donated in Crump’s honor to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. And while supporters may not be able to pick up their cups at Churchill Downs on Derby Day like they normally would, that doesn’t mean they can’t still enjoy a decadent julep in their cups.

Woodford Reserve shares cocktail recipes to enjoy on more than just Derby Day

So which recipes did Woodford Reserve share with all of us? Not only do we have a julep recipe that is perfect for indulging with in those special, limited edition julep cups, but they also offered up a recipe for the Woodford Thoroughbred and the Woodford Porch Swing.

Up first, we take a look at the Diane Crump Blackberry Mint Julep. Not only is this inspired by Crump herself, but also the official fruit of the Kentucky Derby, the blackberry. For this cocktail we need:

• 2 ounces of the Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• 1 bar spoon of simple syrup
• 1 bar spoon of blackberry preserves
• Mint bitters
• Crushed Ice
• Mint springs and fresh blackberries to be used as the garnish

You’re going to be making your mint julep right in your cup. Mix your blackberry preserves and simple syrup in the bottom of your cup. Next add between two to four dashes of the mint bitters. Add crushed ice over the top of this mix until the cup is about two-thirds filled. Add your Woodford Reserve Bourbon over the top, stick in your straw and then top it off with more ice. Now you can top with your fresh garnishes.

Our next cocktail recipe is the Woodford Thoroughbred. This is a simple recipe with very few ingredients as seen below:

• 2 ounces of the Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• 1 bottle of Ginger Beer

In a Collins glass (if you have one) fill with ice and then pour the Woodford Reserve over the top. Fill the glass the rest of the way with the Ginger Beer. From here, you can choose to add a garnish, which they suggest as a lime wedge.

The final recipes is the Woodford Porch Swing. And again, this is a relatively simple cocktail recipe, which includes:

• 1.5 ounces of the Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• 3/4 ounce of fresh lemon juice
• 6 ounces of peach iced tea
• 0.5 ounces of honey

Take a tall glass and fill it with ice. Next pour your Woodford Reserve over the top of the ice. From there, add in your peach iced tea, the lemon juice, and the honey. Now stir all of this together and you can garnish it with either a slice of lemon or even a piece of fresh peach.

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With these three recipes, Woodford Reserve is making it easier than ever to enjoy decadent cocktails that are perfect for everything from Happy Hour to enjoying Derby Day. And while Derby Day may be different in 2020, that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a taste of something special.