The Recipe:
1.5-2oz vodka
1oz elderflower liqueur
1oz ruby red grapefruit juices
3-4 dashes of Creole Bitters
Stir in a chilled Collins glass with crushed or cubed ice.
Top with splash of Sprite.

The Story:
The Mint Julep reigns as the unquestioned Kentucky Derby cocktail, but not every party-goer is a fan of bourbon or mint. A truly hospitable host finds something for every guest, so knowing a few traditional Southern summer cocktails with other ingredients can be a lifesaver at such events.

Every year, my friends Tim and Jan throw an incredible Kentucky Derby party complete with a hat competition, full open bar, and a spat of official Kentucky Colonels. Last year, Jessi and I teamed up to create an illuminated cocktail-themed hat (which won), but this year, my role was a little different: bartender.

I spent a few weeks making plenty of juleps as practice, but as the party loomed closer, I wanted to provide an alternative cocktail for the non-julep-drinkers. I experimented with Pink Cadillac Margaritas (another summer staple), but then Jessi had the idea of making a tribute drink. In 2018, not long before the Derby, a member of our community named Ruby passed away. We celebrated her at Beer & Hymns, and that year’s Derby party was a little more somber with many toasts in her name. This year, however, she would have a drink in her honor.

I looked, and sure enough, there is a classic cocktail called The Ruby (recipe at right), but I wanted something I could mix a little more quickly in an outdoor setting. Knowing speed and Florida weather would be factors, I elected to use a bottled grapefruit juice and to leave out the egg white entirely. For the citrus component, I initially experimented with citrus vodkas and lemonade, but wanting to bring a little more effervescence to the drink, I started topping it with Sprite instead. While Aperol gives the classic Ruby much of its red tint, I had concerns about the bitter herb of the Aperol overwhelming other flavors in the drink, but Creole Bitters offered a slightly sweeter option with a similar effect on color. The result was a sweet and sour cocktail with just a hint of spice.

The Ruby was a hit, and by the end of the night, I made almost as many Rubies as Mint Juleps. The drink will surely become a regular part of this Derby party’s drink menu, and I hope you’ll give it a try as well!