Derby

1 oz Bourbon

1⁄2 oz Sweet vermouth

1⁄2 oz Curaçao

3⁄4 oz Lime juice

1 lf Mint (as garnish)

1 wdg Lime (as garnish)

Instructions

Shake, strain, straight up, cocktail glass, garnish

Notes

This is Ted Haigh's preferred version. Another version omits the Curaçao and reduces the lime to 1/2 oz.

Cocktail summary

Year

1949

Is an

authentic recipe

Reference

Ted Haigh, Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails, p110

Curator

Not yet rated

Average

3.5 stars

(22 ratings)

Cocktail Book

From other users

I tripled the whiskey (I nearly always use 3 oz. of the main spirit in my cocktails), reduced lime juice to to 1/2 oz. and added a couple of tablespoons of simple syrup to offset the sourness. It was delightful.
reduce lime juice
Made this with a Solerno blood orange liqueur which really goes well with the brightness of the lime. Definitely .5 oz — ★★★★★
Made with 1/2oz. lime (which was plenty) and Punt e Mes. Not sure the bitterness really fit in--might be worth trying with Carpano Antica. — ★★★
Overly sour, didn't quite work for me.
0.5 oz lime and Punt E Mes seems to be the way to go.
Used Punt e Mes. Reduce lime to 1/2 oz. — ★★★★

Similar cocktails

Cotillion — Bourbon, Trinidad rum, Curaçao, Lemon juice, Orange juice, Orange peel
Black Diamond — Bourbon, Averna, Lemon juice, Grapefruit juice, Simple syrup
Clemen-thyme Sour — Bourbon, Amaro Montenegro, Lemon juice, Citrus fruit, Egg white, Sugar, Thyme
Bolero Cocktail — Dark rum, Brandy, Lime juice, Orange juice, Simple syrup
Railcar #91 — Cognac, Lemon juice, Honey syrup, Orange Foam
Malcolm Lowry — Añejo tequila, Light rum, Triple sec, Lime juice
Lonesome Dove — Bourbon, Allspice Dram, Lemon juice, Honey syrup, Blackberry
Smoked Margarita — Reposado Tequila, Orange liqueur, Whiskey, Lemon juice, Lime juice, Simple syrup, Salt
Benson Streetcar — Cognac, Orange liqueur, Maraschino Liqueur, Lemon juice, Simple syrup, Orange cream citrate
Anthony Bello *AKA* The Italian Stallion — Tequila, Orange liqueur, Drambuie, Lemon juice, Lemon peel

Comments

This is one of my favorite drinks out of Ted Haigh's Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails. The Haigh recipe calls for an extra quarter ounce of lime juice and 1/2 ounce of curacao. I didn't have that good of a curacao on hand when I made it, but it still came out decent. Floating a mint leaf on top was key.

There are several versions of this cocktail. I have updated it to reflect the preference of Ted Haigh, and added a source reference to his excellent book.

Just made this with Carpano Antica. Excellent.

I think this one comes out pretty good, but I would cut back a little on the lime juice, or add a dash or two of simple syrup.