Looking for some traditional libations for the Kentucky Derby on May 6? We found a drink that bridges the distance from Louisville to Florida. It’s called “In Mint Condition,” and it’s the seasonal specialty of the house at the Don CeSar hotel’s Rowe Bar.
The cocktail combines two Southern classics – juleps and tea – with blueberries (Florida-grown, naturally) and Woodford Reserve, the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby.
If you can’t make it to the Don Cesar for post time (6:34 p.m. Eastern time, if you’re taking notes), then let the mixologist at home take a whack at it. Here’s the official recipe.
Ingredients
1 ½ oz. Woodford Reserve Bourbon
¼ oz. black tea syrup
Crushed ice
Blueberries
Mint
Soda water
If you’ve never visited the Don CeSar on St. Pete Beach, you’re missing out. Sometimes called the “Pink Palace” by its fans, the Don opened at the height of the Great Gatsby era in 1928. The resorts features 277 guest rooms including 36 suites, six restaurants and lounges, two heated pools, an 11,000-square-foot spa and more than 38,000 square feet of event space.
The Rowe Bar at the Don CeSar specializes in local beers and craft cocktails made with juices and fruits from local producers. It’s open daily from 3 p.m. – 1 a.m.
