FROZEN BROWN DERBY

FROZEN BROWN DERBY

4 cups of grapefruit juice

3 tablespoons honey

½ teaspoon orange flower water

Bourbon to taste

I’ve always been a big fan of anything good that you can make ahead of time. “Set it and forget it” is what I’m all about. The FROZEN BROWN DERBY cocktail definitely fits this description. It’s a frozen, slushy-like, version of the Kentucky Churchill Downs’ cocktail, the Brown Derby, although some Brown Derby recipes call for lime juice and bitters too.

No need for a slushy machine or a blender to make the FROZEN BROWN DERBY. You just need a Ziploc bag, a freezer and the ingredients listed above. I couldn’t find the orange flower water in my grocery or liquor store, so I had to forge ahead without it. But if you can find it, add it, lots of grapefruit juice, honey and bourbon to a Ziploc. I used one measure (1.5 ounces) of bourbon and it made my slushy very strong, so use less or more depending on how much you like bourbon. Then put it in the freezer overnight or until frozen. When you take it out, just let it thaw for a few minutes, then kneed it or smash it until it is like a slushy, then pour the pink ice into a cup and serve with a spoon.

I found that the honey stuck to the bottom of the bag, and I wasn’t sure if much honey had actually gotten into the cocktail, until I tasted it. I could taste a bit of honey in the FROZEN BROWN DERBY, along with a strong grapefruit taste and plenty o’ bourbon. Though it was a strong cocktail, I loved that it was different and fun to eat — definitely a good cocktail for the summer. Hubby didn’t like the FROZEN BROWN DERBY at first, but then it grew on him. I was the opposite. I thought it was good at first, but then it was too strong for me to finish. Bourbon lover or not, you need to sample this cocktail this holiday weekend.

Drink Up^

Cocktail Connie