The 10 best signature drinks at sporting events: From the Mint Julep to the Pimm's Cup

New York Times

30-04-2025

There's this insider-y feeling that comes with attending certain sporting events for the first time. It happens when you discover a particular tradition unique to that sport, stadium or team. Whether it's your first seventh-inning stretch as a child or your first taste of a Mint Julep at Churchill Downs as an adult, these little rituals or tokens make each event feel larger than the sport itself. They create a culture.
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Some of the most prestigious sporting events in the world — especially tennis, golf and horse racing — have capitalized on fans' thirst for these touchstones of tradition by embracing a buzzier taste of culture: signature cocktails. Last year, the US Open's Honey Deuce made millions. The Australian Open said 'Hold my beer' and debuted its signature cocktail, the Lemon Ace, this year.
And of course, the original, the great-grandaddy, shall we say, of the sporting world's signature cocktails is the Kentucky Derby's Mint Julep.
Thousands of juleps are poured at Churchill Downs during the Kentucky Derby this weekend. Here's how to make one at home in five minutes. nyti.ms/3EETU5C
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— The New York Times (@nytimes.com) April 29, 2025 at 9:29 AM
Elizabeth McCall, the master distiller for Woodford Reserve, told The Athletic that these signature drinks are about 'creating a moment, to make it more than just a race.' Marketing gimmick? Sure. But also a whole lot of fun for fans. What is our love for sports if not a shared culture with traditions passed down over generations?
So, with the Kentucky Derby around the corner, we're rounding up our top 10 favorite signature cocktails at sporting events. We'll share a bit of the history, what we love about them, and, of course, an easy recipe for each. Make the drinks with your friends this Saturday, or bookmark the story for your next favorite event on the annual sports calendar.
The Mint Julep is at least 100 years older than the Kentucky Derby, originating in the U.S. in the mid-to-late 1700s, and has been served at Churchill Downs since the race's inception in 1875. The concept of the julep traces its origins back to ancient Persia, where rose petals were added to water for medicinal purposes. Eventually, the basics of a julep emerged: sugar, mints, spirits.
In the U.S., the julep evolved into a form of creative expression by Black mixologists in the 19th century, many of whom were enslaved people and did not receive credit for their creations until more recent historical accounts. In 1939, the Mint Julep became the official drink of the Kentucky Derby. McCall told The Athletic that Churchill Downs sources 50,000 liters of Woodford Reserve bourbon each year and 28,730 bunches of spearmint from Nelson Family Agriculture to make 120,000 Mint Juleps for Derby week.
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The Pimm's Cup has been a British summer classic for over a century, but the drink rose to prominence at Wimbledon in the 1970s and 80s after the first Pimm's bar reportedly popped up at the 1971 tournament. The key ingredient, Pimm's No. 1, was invented by London oyster-bar owner James Pimm sometime between 1823 and 1840, reportedly to aid in the digestion of his shellfish. Now, over 300,000 Pimm's Cups are sold to fans every year at Wimbledon. The tennis major has a second signature drink: Champagne!
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The trademarked (yes, trademarked!) US Open Honey Deuce is a relatively new entry to the cocktail club, invented in 2006 by New York City restaurateur and mixologist Nick Mautone, who Grey Goose commissioned to create a signature cocktail for the tennis major. In the perhaps apocryphal origin story, Mautone was inspired when he saw balled honeydew melons at a farmers' market in the Hamptons and thought they resembled tennis balls. Now, more than 450,000 Honey Deuces are sold each year at the Open at $23 per drink and rake in more than $10 million in sales — a higher price point than the $3.6 million awarded to men's and women's singles winners.
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The Oaks Lily is a relative newcomer compared to its ancient brother, the Mint Julep. McCall told The Athletic that the Oaks Lily was crafted around 1999 by Woodford's now master distiller emeritus, Chris Morris. Morris created the Lily essentially as a marketing tool for the Kentucky Oaks, to draw more attention to the filly race and Friday's action at Churchill Downs. The drink is bright pink to mirror the deep pink in the garland of lilies placed on the Oaks winner. Now, the Survivor's Parade enriches that pink tradition, and Friday's patrons are encouraged to wear pink in honor of breast and ovarian cancer awareness.
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Named after the Maryland state flower, the Black-Eyed Susan is the official drink of the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of horse racing's Triple Crown. The drink was first created in 1973 and has since appeared in several variations. Like the other Triple-Crown race signature drinks, bourbon forms the base, but a mix of peach schnapps, vodka and orange juice makes it fruity and refreshing.
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The French Open banned alcohol in the stands in 2024 after rowdy fan behavior disrupted the event. Though it is no longer served there, the Ace Royal has long been associated with Roland-Garros, and fans make the drink at home to watch the major.
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Named for the vibrant blooms that grace Augusta National — a name shared by the 13th hole — the azalea cocktail is the traditional drink of the Masters Tournament. According to Wine Enthusiast, the origin of the azalea beverage is disputed, with varying accounts of its creation and appearance. However, many claim it debuted at the first Masters in 1934. Think of this as a take on a boozy cherry lemonade.
The Azalea is the signature cocktail of the Masters — but what's the recipe? Augusta National spilled its secret.https://t.co/8NXPdaj0f0
— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) March 29, 2024
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The Belmont Jewel is the official drink of the final leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes. As is typical with American horse racing, the central ingredient is a good bourbon whiskey.
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The Australian Open debuted a signature drink this year, one inspired by the US Open's Honey Deuce, which became a viral sensation and one of the most-searched drinks of 2024. The 'Lemon Ace' is another refreshing drink mixed with locally inspired ingredients like fresh citrus and passion fruit.
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The Woodford Reserve Spire is a newer signature drink at Churchill Downs, blending elements of the bourbon-focused julep with the citrus-and-cranberry refreshment of the Oaks Lily.
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(Top image: Illustration: Will Tullos / The Athletic; Photos: HorsePhotos, Logan Riely, Julian Finney, Monica Schipper, Jason Kempin / Getty Images)