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.
Learn about Serious Eats' Editorial Process
Updated August 30, 2018
20111003derbyprim.jpg
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

Prep 5 mins
Active 5 mins
Total 5 mins
Serves 1 serving
Keep Screen Awake

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)
138 Calories
0g Fat
8g Carbs
0g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 138
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 3mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 8g 3%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 7mg 36%
Calcium 7mg 1%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 48mg 1%
*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.)

More Serious Eats Recipes