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Preakness Cocktail Drink

Preakness Drink Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
4 from 1 vote
Step up your cocktail game with the Preakness Cocktail recipe! The enticing blend of bourbon, Benedictine, and sweet vermouth ensures every sip is memorable.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 246

Ingredients
 

  • 2 oz Bourbon
  • 1 oz sweet Vermouth
  • ½ oz Benedictine
  • 2 dashes Angostura aromatic bitters
  • Lemon twist - for garnish, optional
  • Cherry - for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Cocktail Glass
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Stirrer or Bar Spoon
  • Mixing Glass

Instructions

  • Prep Glass: Chill your cocktail glass stirring some ice cubes.
  • Mix Ingredients: In the mixing glass, combine 2 dashes Angostura aromatic bitters, ½ oz Benedictine, 1 oz sweet Vermouth, and 2 oz Bourbon.
  • Stir Gently: Using a bar spoon, stir the ingredients well together with ice cubes.
  • Strain: Strain the mixture into your empty and chilled cocktail glass.
  • Garnish: Add a lemon twist and cherry for garnish.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Bourbon: When I'm out of bourbon, rye whiskey makes a great substitute, offering a slightly spicier kick.
  • Sweet Vermouth: Just as I've done with the Negroni, dry vermouth can step in, but consider adding a splash of simple syrup to maintain the cocktail's sweetness.
  • Benedictine: If Benedictine isn't on hand, I've used other herbal liqueurs like Chartreuse or Drambuie. The taste profile shifts, but the result is still delightful.
  • Angostura Bitters: Orange bitters or Peychaud's bitters can be used, though it slightly alters the drink's flavor.

Making a Pitcher of Preakness Cocktail:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher for 8 servings, use 16 oz of bourbon, 8 oz of sweet vermouth, 4 oz of Benedictine, and 16 dashes of Angostura bitters.
  • Mix: In a large pitcher, blend the bourbon, sweet vermouth, Benedictine, and bitters. Add some ice and stir thoroughly.
  • Serve: Strain and pour into individual chilled cocktail glasses, garnish each with a lemon twist and cherry, and serve promptly.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Bourbon Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic bourbon alternative available in the market to replicate the rich flavor of bourbon.
  • Benedictine Substitute: Use an herbal tea syrup with chamomile, lemon, and honey.
  • Vermouth and Angostura Bitters: luckily there are non-alcoholic options that will mimic the flavor. 
  • Continue As Usual: Replace alcoholic ingredients with these alternatives and follow the original recipe steps for a non-alcoholic version.

Making it Vegan:

  • Cherry Garnish: Some maraschino cherries are processed with non-vegan ingredients. Use vegan-certified cherries or a fresh cherry instead to ensure your cocktail is vegan.