Derby Season is full of opportunity to enjoy incredible food & festive libations, but not everyone wants ABV in their formula for fun. Enter Jesse Hawkins, founder of The Mocktail Project, & spreader of positivity through alcohol free drink options at all our favorite events.
The Mocktail Project is about “creating a safer, more inclusive drinking culture” for everyone who wants to be social but isn’t interested in or able to consume alcohol for any number of reasons. This year, they will be serving up several batch mocktail options at Churchill Downs during the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby, a landmark accomplishment for the movement, with support from Brown-Forman & Old Forester.
From mothers-to-be to friends in recovery, we want everyone to enjoy this special time of year & all the gatherings that go with it. So, we collaborated with Jesse to teach you a Kentucky Proud take on the traditional Oaks Lily featuring ingredients from Kroger, Ale-8-One, & local Bourbon Barrel Foods that you can share with guests at your home Derby party! Check out the video for the full demo & save the recipe to replicate later on!
The Mocktail Lily
Ingredients:
Blackberry-Banana Puree – Combine 2 cups water, 1 quart blackberries & 2 chopped bananas in the blender. Pulse to blend thoroughly.
Cinnamon Simple Syrup – Combine 2 cups water with 2 cups sugar in a saucepan on the stovetop over medium heat. Stir continuously & allow the combination to reduce. Store in a jar or bottle with 6 sticks of cinnamon.
Ale-8-One
Fresh Lemon
Fresh Orange
Optional – Bourbon Smoked Sugar from Bourbon Barrel Foods
Directions:
Combine 2 oz. puree with 2 oz. simple syrup in a mixing glass over ice.
Add a squeeze of fresh lemon & stir. Transfer into separate glass to complete the blending.
Top with 3 oz. of Ale-8-One & garnish with a fresh orange slice.
Optional – Prior to mixing, rim the serving glass in lemon juice & dip rim into a plate of Bourbon Smoked Sugar from Bourbon Barrel Foods.
We hope you enjoy this take on the traditional Lily Cocktail! Keep an eye out for The Mocktail Project at Churchill Downs this Derby Day & follow them on the socials to show your support! @themocktailproject
