The Derby Recipe

By
Michael Dietsch
Headshot of Michael Dietsch, a contributing writer at Serious Eats.
Michael Dietsch
Michael Dietsch is a barfly, boozehound, book hoarder, jazz fiend, and technographer. He has two cookbooks and writes about cocktails for Serious Eats.
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Updated August 30, 2018
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Michael Dietsch

At least three different cocktails bear the name Derby, to commemorate the long bond between drinking and betting on horses. This version comes from the Bartender's Guide by Trader Vic, filtered through Ted Haigh's Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails. It marries bourbon with sweet vermouth, orange curaçao (I used Grand Marnier), and lime juice, to produce a drink that's dry, tart, peppery, and subtly herbal.

Recipe Details

The Derby Recipe

Active 5 mins
Total 5 mins
Serves 1 serving

Ingredients

  • 1 ounce bourbon whiskey

  • 3/4 ounce lime juice

  • 1/2 ounce sweet vermouth

  • 1/2 ounce Grand Marnier or orange curaçao

  • Lime wedge or mint leaf, for garnish

Directions

  1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add bourbon, lime, sweet vermouth, and Grand Marnier and shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with lime wedge or mint leaf.

Special equipment

cocktail shaker and strainer

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
106 Calories
0g Fat
6g Carbs
1g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 106
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 11mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 6g 2%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 11mg 54%
Calcium 61mg 5%
Iron 3mg 19%
Potassium 171mg 4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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