Winner’s Circle Black-Eyed Susan Cocktail

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The 148th running of the Preakness is just around the corner and, being a true Marylander, I couldn’t let the occasion slip by without dedicating a post to this occasion.

overhead image of the Black-eyed Susan drink. Limes and dried orange slices are in the background

Each of the Triple Crown races has it’s own signature drink. The Kentucky Derby automatically summons up images of the incomparable mint julep. The Belmont Stakes sports the Belmont Jewel. And the official cocktail of the Preakness is (drumroll please), the Black-Eyed Susan. Named after the Maryland state flower, which also happens to be used to create the blanket that’s draped over the winning horse.

But here’s a fun fact, the other day, I decided to get in the spirit of the Preakness and buy some black-eyed Susans. To my surprise, I couldn’t find a single one. When I asked the florist about it, she told me that they don’t actually bloom until later on in the summer and that the blanket that’s created for the Preakness is actually made of yellow mums that have had their center colored in to make them look like the official flower. Huh????

yellow mums that have had their center colored in to make them look like Black-eyed Susans

Not that I doubt the nice lady at the flower shop, but I’m having a hard time swallowing this one. If anyone out there can confirm or deny this, please message me. This is giving me shpilkes, or for those who did not grow up with a Yiddish speaking grandmother, restlessness.

Now back to the drink, which no doubt will cure anyone’s shpilkes. In my search for the recipe, I came across numerous variations of this cocktail. Some included St. Germaine, others Cointreau or Triple Sec, some called for fresh pineapple juice, while others used a sweet and sour mix. In the end, I stumbled upon the official recipe on the Maryland Office of Tourism website, which includes a delightful mix of vodka, rum and orange liquor along with fresh orange, pineapple and lime juice, served over lots of ice and topped with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry (not my favorite).

dried orange slices and maraschino cherries

After some modifications, mainly to scale down the quantity of servings, I decided to swap the orange liquor for Grand Marnier and came up with a light, refreshing and luscious spring time cocktail that I hope you’ll enjoy sip after sip.

Of course you can use any orange liquor of your choice and the drink will still be delicious, but I thought that the Grand Marnier upgrade was fitting. After all, this is a winner’s circle Black-Eyed Susan and, we should toast the winner in style.

Black-eyed Susan cocktail garnished with a fresh orange slice and lime zest. dried orange slices and limes in the background along with yellow mums

I hope that you’ll decide to give this Winner’s Circle Black-Eyed Susan recipe a whirl. If you do, please let me know what you think or tag me on Instagram. I always love hearing from everyone and seeing pictures of anything that you make. And above all, thanks so much for stopping by.

Winner’s Circle Black-Eyed Susan Cocktail

Adapted from the Maryland Office of Tourism recipe
The official drink of the Preakness is upgraded with Grand Marnier and combined with vodka and rum then swirled with pineapple, orange and lime juice to create the ultimate winner's circle cocktail.
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Prep Time 10 mins
Total Time 10 mins
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 3 oz vodka
  • 3 oz rum
  • 2 oz Grand Marnier (or Tiple Sec)
  • 1 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1 tsp lime juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1 cup pineapple juice
  • orange slice (dried or fresh), for serving (optional)
  • maraschino cherry, for serving (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Combine all ingredients and chill until ready to use. Serve cocktail over lots of ice garnished with an orange slice and a cherry.
Keyword easy, vegetarian

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