The Tale of Two Cocktails

The Tale of Two Cocktails

The Preakness & Black-Eyed Susan

Last weekend was the running of the Preakness and while the Kentucky Derby has the Mint Julep as its own cocktail, it seems the Preakness has two drinks to celebrate.  Flipping through Death & Co. Modern Classic Cocktails we came across the Preakness cocktail in their chapter on Classic and Vintage Cocktails.  As a part of the first Preakness Ball in 1936 there was a contest to create an official drink for the event.  The contest was won by George Backert, head bartender at Baltimore’s Emerson Hotel (a thanks to David Wondrich for the historical research).  The Preakness is a variation on the Manhattan with a touch of Benedictine added for spice.  Now, today’s official drink of the Preakness race is the Black-Eyed Susan named after Maryland’s state flower.  It was created in 1973 by Harry Stevens who managed catering at Pimlico where the Preakness is run.  The Black-Eyed Susan is a lighter, more tropical tall drink making it a crowd pleaser at post-time.  So today in honor of these two drinks, one of the past and one of the present we offer you “The Tale of Two Cocktails.” Cheers!

Preakness

In a shaker glass ½ filled with ice add:

• 1½ Ounce 100 Proof Rye
• 3/4 Ounce Carpano Anitca Sweet Vermouth
• ½ Teaspoon Bénédictine
• 1 Dash Angostura Bitters

Stir gently to chill.  Strain into a chilled cocktail coupe.  Garnish with a lemon twist.

Black-Eyed Susan

In a shaker glass filled with ice add:

• 1 Ounce Bourbon Whiskey
• 1 Ounce Vodka
• 1 Ounce Peach Schnapps
• 2 Ounces Orange Juice
• 2 Ounces Sour Mix

Shake and strain over fresh crushed ice in a tall glass.  Garnish with an orange and cherry flag.