If you follow horse racing, you know the big three are: The Kentucky Derby, The Preakness and The Belmont Stakes which makes up the Triple Crown (if the same horse whens each race). Each venue, the (hmph, cough) class of people as well as the outfits and cocktails themselves vary. In the past, I have not posted on the later 2 races as the wife doesn't think the drinks are up to snuff. She thinks they're reminiscent of a cheap, too sweet, party punch that you might find at a college party or served at a wedding or baby shower.
I understand where she's coming from. The Preakness cocktail, the Black-Eyed Susan, was invented in 1973 at the Plmlico racetrack and had a pale yellow hue to mimic the flower. But the cocktail has evolved through the years changing from a rum, vodka, pineapple juice cocktail to whiskey and vodka, then bourbon and vodka back to the whiskey combo. This drink doesn't know what it wants to be or how it wants to taste. This drink is merely a way to ensure the racing crowd is liquored up enough to keep betting.
With that said, it's still a cocktail worth sharing as there may be a handful of you who will enjoy it. For others, who regard this drink in similar light as the wife, hold tight. I'm playing around with a redemption series (remaking questionable cocktails) and this may be the first contender).
In the meantime, best of luck to Medina Spirit and the rest of the field as we head into the second leg of The Triple Crown!
His & Hers Cocktails - The Black-Eyed Susan
1 oz bourbon Maker's Mark
1 oz DeKuyper Peachtree Schnapps
1 oz Effen Vodka
2 oz fresh orange juice
2 oz sour mix (equal parts fresh lemon juice and simple syrup)
Lemon twist garnish
Combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until chilled. Strain over a double rocks glass, filled with ice. Garnish.
**Note: We used 2 parts lemon juice to 1 part simple syrup for the sour mix. We would omit the simple syrup next time around.
Happy drinking!