Alternative Derby Cocktails
Posted on April 25, 2008
by Michelle Jones
michelle@louisville.com
Tim Laird of Brown-Foreman created a cocktail for the Greater Louisville Inc. annual dinner back in March. Called the Possibilitini it’s a mixture of bourbon and chambord and sounds very tasty. Though I don’t think any bar in town is actually serving this cocktail it’d be a fine (and easy) drink to mix up at home if you’re looking for a new bourbon cocktail to serve at your Derby party this year. I’m going to go ahead and include the recipe with all the civic pride stuff from the GLI dinner thrown in. If it doesn’t make you feel all warm and fuzzy about living in Louisville feel free to make up your own reasons for using a martini glass and green maraschino cherry.
Possilibitini
2 ounces of Woodford Reserve Bourbon (representing the area which is known as Bourbon Country)
1 ounce of Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur (this is a French liqueur which represents Louisville's relationship with France)
Shake vigorously to demonstrate how Louisville is shaking things up and is definitely a, "mover and shaker" of a City
Pour into a tall Martini glass representing Louisville's growth and potential
Garnish with a green maraschino cherry (this represents both, Louisville's green movement and prosperity)
The real reason I thought to mention the Possibilitini is because I’ve been thinking about alternate Derby cocktails since I spent a little time with bartender Joy Perrine of Jack’s Lounge. Obviously you can’t question the Mint Julep’s status but that doesn’t mean we can’t shake things up (bad pun intended) and try some other bourbon cocktails during Derby season. Perrine is well known her inventive cocktails and infused bourbons and naturally she steps things up during for Derby.
When I spoke with her a couple weeks ago she was getting ready to unveil her four new cocktails for Derby season. She’s got a Chocolate Julep, a Julep Martini, a Derby Manhattan and a Bourjito. Her description of the Bourjito really got my attention and she was kind enough to make one for me. It’s like a combination of the best parts of a Mint Julep and a Mojito. The main ingredients of a Bourjito are a brown sugar simple syrup and Woodford Reserve bourbon. Fresh mint and lemon add accent notes to the drink. Why lemon instead of traditional mojito lime? Lime is a little too bitter to mix smoothly with bourbon and if Joy’s Bourjito is anything it’s smooth. Seriously smooth and seriously refreshing. I highly recommend you stop by Jack’s Lounge for one of Joy Perrine’s Derby cocktail specials. If you order a Bourjito tell her I recommended it.
Jack’s Lounge
122 Sears Avenue
Louisville, KY
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