The Best Preakness Cocktails

It’s almost Preakness time, and time for the Preakness cocktail to celebrate. 

The Preakness Stakes is the second leg of the Triple Crown horse racing event held annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Each of the Triple Crown races has their own official drink. For example, the drink of the Kentucky Derby is the well-known mint julep recipe, the Belmont Stakes has the Belmont jewel, and the Preakness Stakes’ official drink is the Black-eyed Susan. 

Many think of the Black-Eyed Susan as the drink of Mid-May in Baltimore, as it was first created there in 1973, but Preakness Cocktails are the original drink.

“Prior to the Black-Eyed Susan’s introduction as the official drink of the second jewel in Thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown, Maryland racing fans sang the praises of another cocktail: the Preakness.”

What Is A Preakness Cocktail? 

This Preakness cocktail recipe? It’s a mix of rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, orange juice, and Angostura bitters. People say it’s kind of like a fancy Manhattan spin-off. It’s a chill, simplified version that still totally nails the classic vibes you’d find in any cocktail book. Plus, this whiskey cocktail is the perfect sip for kicking back at horse races or just chilling with your friends at home on race day!

But, if you’d rather stay “official”, here is the original Black-Eyed Susan cocktail. 

A Black Eyed Susan is the official drink of the Preakness Stakes. This refreshing cocktail’s name is a nod to the blanket of Black Eyed Susans traditionally draped over the winning horse (also the Maryland state flower). It’s a refreshing and vibrant drink made with vodka, orange juice, pineapple juice, orange liqueur, and sometimes sour mix. Serve in a cocktail glass and garnish with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry (or in this case, pineapple!). So, sipping on the official cocktail while watching the Preakness Stakes is a delicious way to celebrate the race day tradition!

Enjoy the horse races! These easy recipes prove you don’t need to be a master mixologist to sip like a pro on Preakness day.