The Triple Crown isn’t just about fast horses and fancy hats — it’s also a time-honored excuse to sip something strong while pretending you know how to read a racing form. Each leg of this legendary series comes with its own signature cocktail, designed to enhance the race-day experience (and possibly dull the sting of betting on the longshot). We’ve taken these iconic sips and added a Southern twist — swapping in locally crafted spirits that bring a bit of local flavor to each glass. Giddy up, race fans. It’s cocktail time.

The Run for the Roses

Each year during Derby weekend, Churchill Downs serves up nearly 120,000 mint juleps, pouring more than 10,000 bottles of bourbon and garnishing with 1,000 pounds of fresh mint. The iconic cocktail is traditionally served in a limited-edition Derby glass, printed with the names of past winners and the current year’s logo. First introduced in 1939, these souvenir cups have become cherished keepsakes for racegoers and collectors alike. You can even bring the tradition home. Weston South, a lifestyle store in Shelter Cove Towne Centre, offers candles poured into official Derby glasses. Watch the 151st Kentucky Derby on NBC. Post time: 6:57 p.m., Saturday, May 3

Kentucky Derby: The Mint Julep

If the Derby is all hats and horses, the mint julep is its signature sip — cool, classic and a little over the top (in the best way possible). It has been the official drink of the race since 1938, but its roots at Churchill Downs go back even further. This refreshing mix of bourbon, mint, sugar and crushed ice became a Derby staple in the late 19th century, celebrated for both its Southern charm and its cooling qualities on a warm May afternoon. Over the years the drink has become inseparable from the pageantry of the Derby, often served in collectible glasses that fans eagerly add to their bar carts year after year. It’s more than a cocktail — it’s a tradition in a tumbler. For a Lowcountry twist, use Hilton Head Distillery’s Atlantic Bourbon, aged in tropical climates and finished in rum casks. The result? A julep that brings a hint of the islands to this Kentucky classic.

Ingredients

2 ounces HHD Atlantic Bourbon

1/2 ounce simple syrup 

8 fresh mint leaves

1 fresh mint sprig (garnish) 

Crushed ice

Directions

Gently muddle the mint leaves and simple syrup in the bottom of a julep cup or rocks glass — just enough to release the oils, not shred the leaves. Add the bourbon, and fill the cup with crushed ice. Stir until the cup is frosty. Top with more crushed ice and garnish with a fresh mint sprig (give it a little slap to release the aroma).

Ingredients (Simple syrup) 

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup water

Directions

In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and let it cool. Pour into a clean jar or bottle, and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans

Despite its name, the Black-Eyed Susan cocktail contains zero floral notes. Instead, it’s all about bold citrus and smooth spirits. The name comes from Maryland’s state flower, which blooms in yellow and black and famously tops the winner’s garland. Fun fact: Black-eyed Susans aren’t in season during the Preakness, so the garland is often made with painted daisies instead. Watch the 150th Preakness Stakes on NBC. Post time: 6:50 p.m., Saturday, May 17

Preakness Stakes: Black-Eyed Susan

If the Derby is all mint and manners, the Preakness is where things loosen up, starting with the cocktail. The Black-Eyed Susan was created in 1973 by Harry Stevens, the longtime caterer at Pimlico Race Course, as the official drink of the Preakness Stakes. Named after Maryland’s state flower, which also adorns the winning horse’s blanket, the cocktail was designed to echo the festive spirit of the Kentucky Derby’s mint julep while giving the Preakness its own signature sip. Over the decades the recipe has undergone several revisions, with different versions calling for vodka, bourbon, peach schnapps or even rum, depending on the sponsor of the event. Despite its evolving ingredients, the drink remains a citrusy, crowd-pleasing staple at the Preakness and a symbol of Maryland’s rich racing tradition. For a Lowcountry twist, try Rotten Little Bastard’s Coosa Cut Bourbon and King Tide Vodka, both smoother than a front-runner at the finish line.

Ingredients

1 ounce RLB Coosa Cut Bourbon

1 ounce RLB King Tide Vodka

3/4 ounce orange liqueur

1 1/2 ounces orange juice

1 1/2 ounces sour mix

Maraschino cherry (garnish)

Orange slice (garnish) 

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice, and shake like the finish line depends on it. Strain into a tall glass over crushed ice. Garnish with maraschino cherries and an orange slice, because every winner deserves a little flair.

The Test of the Champion

The Belmont Stakes is often where Triple Crown dreams are either realized or dashed. As the final and longest leg of the series, its grueling 1.5-mile distance has earned it the nickname The Test of the Champion. Many horses have claimed victory in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, only to fall short at Belmont. That’s what makes the achievement so rare — only 13 horses in history have conquered all three races. The most recent was Justify in 2018, who captivated the racing world by becoming just the second horse to win the Triple Crown while remaining undefeated. Watch the 2025 Belmont Stakes on Fox. Post time: 6:41 p.m., Saturday, June 7

Belmont Stakes: The Belmont Jewel

The Belmont Jewel became the official cocktail of the Belmont Stakes in 2011, replacing a series of lesser-known drinks like the White Carnation and the Belmont Breeze, which struggled to gain popularity. Crafted to be simple, refreshing and easy to serve to large crowds, it quickly became a fan favorite. Its vibrant ruby hue, thanks to the splash of pomegranate juice, nods to the red carnations traditionally draped over the winning horse. Blending bourbon, lemonade and pomegranate juice, the drink reflects both the elegance and approachability of the “Test of the Champion,” the final and longest leg of the Triple Crown. Though it’s a relatively new tradition, the Belmont Jewel has solidified its place alongside the Mint Julep and Black-Eyed Susan in the trifecta of iconic race-day cocktails. For a local touch, try it with Burnt Church Distillery’s Anita’s Choice Bourbon, a six-grain whiskey inspired by women’s rights advocate Anita Pollitzer, adding an extra layer of history and craftsmanship to this race-day favorite.

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces BCD Anita’s Choice Bourbon Whiskey

2 ounces lemonade

1 ounce pomegranate juice

Lemon peel (garnish)

Directions

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the ingredients and shake vigorously. Strain over fresh ice into a double old-fashioned glass. Garnish with a lemon peel twist.