The third Saturday in May can only mean one thing : The Preakness Stakes.
The Preakness Stakes is the second leg of the Triple Crown- a series of thoroughbred horse races held each year. Three-year-old horses move through the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and finally the Belmont Stakes. If one horse wins all three, then they are named a Triple Crown Winner. The task is easier said than done, considering that only thirteen horses have claimed that title in all of history.
The second leg, the Preakness Stakes, is held each year in Baltimore, Maryland at the Pimlico Race Course. Of course, no Triple Crown leg would be complete without a signature cocktail. While the Derby claims the Mint Julep, and the Belmont serves the Belmont Jewel, the Preakness just happens to have two.
Technically speaking, the Black-Eyed Susan is the official drink around Pimlico, but considering this cocktail is literally named for the race, it certainly deserves some attention. The Preakness is a spicy, botanical twist on the classic Manhattan cocktail. Big fans of the Manhattan will recognize the taste of bitters and sweet vermouth in this cocktail, but the presence of Bénédictine is where the real twist comes in. Bénédictine is an ancient French liqueur that’s made up of over a dozen botanicals such as lemon balm and angelica. Its addition here, alongside some rye whiskey, makes for a complex and deliciously balanced cocktail.
The Preakness may not have an official title, but it still deserves its place in the winner’s circle.
The Preakness
Equipment
- 1 Mixing Glass
- 1 Bar Spoon
- 1 Coupe Glass
Ingredients
- 3 ounces Rye Whiskey
- ¾ ounce Sweet Vermouth
- ¾ ounce Bénédictine
- 4 dashes Angostura Bitters
- 1 twist Lemon (garnish)
Instructions
- In a mixing glass filled with ice, add 3 ounces of Rye Whiskey, ¾ ounce Sweet Vermouth, ¾ ounce Bénédictine, and 4 dashes of Angostura Bitters.
- Stir until chilled and then strain into a cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a lemon twist.
