The Louisville Cooler: Kentucky Derby Party Cocktails

Hey, y’all! It’s Derby Season — and as we are entering the final stretch, I’m excited to share several recipes here on the blog for you to enjoy at your Kentucky Derby Party! To kick things off this week, I’m going to be sharing cocktails that will be perfect accompaniments to your 2021 Derby Experience. All are tried and true Kentucky drinks and are simply delicious! Let’s kick it off with the Louisville Cooler, a perfect Kentucky Derby Party Cocktail! If you like bourbon and citrus — this is the perfect cocktail recipe for you!

The Louisville Cooler: Kentucky Derby Party Cocktails

JC’s note: using fresh juices here – for both the orange juice + lime juice – truly makes all the difference. That and the use of a good-quality Kentucky Bourbon, of course! What’s your favorite bourbon? Comment below or shoot me an email — I’d love to know!

A traditional Louisville Cooler calls for confectionary sugar, as opposed to simple syrup; I prefer to use simple syrup because I always have it on hand!

PS: This recipe can be easily enlarged for a crowd!

The Louisville Cooler: Kentucky Derby Party Cocktails

JC Phelps

One of the most delicious Kentucky cocktails is the Louisville Cooler — the combination of bourbon + citrus is a match made in heaven!

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 mins

Total Time 5 mins

Course Cocktail, Drinks

Cuisine American, Southern

Servings 1 serving

Calories 180 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 oz. Kentucky Bourbon
• 2 oz. orange juice freshly-squeezed, if possible
• .5 oz. lime juice
• 1.5 tsp. simple syrup
• Ice
• Orange slice for garnish

Instructions

 

• Combine bourbon, orange juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and a handful of ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake well.
• Strain into a glass (preferably a rocks glass) and garnish with an orange slice.
• Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Ingredients:

2 oz. Kentucky Bourbon

2 oz. orange juice (freshly-squeezed, if possible)

.5 oz. lime juice

1.5 tsp. simple syrup

Ice

Orange slice, for garnish

Directions:

1. Combine bourbon, orange juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and a handful of ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake well.
2. Strain into a glass (preferably a rocks glass) and garnish with an orange slice.
3. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition

Sodium: 6mgCalcium: 9mgVitamin C: 33mgVitamin A: 120IUSugar: 10gFiber: 1gPotassium: 136mgCalories: 180kcalMonounsaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gFat: 1gProtein: 1gCarbohydrates: 13gIron: 1mg

Keyword cocktails, Kentucky Cocktails, the louisville cooler

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

So easy and so refreshing, y’all — I know all at your Kentucky Derby Party will love the Louisville Cooler!

Enjoy + cheers, y’all!

Y’all come back now, ya hear?

My best,

JC

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