Lily Oaks Drink

Kentucky is known for its bourbon and its horses. Now, they need to be known for their Lilly Oaks cocktail. This drink is the cocktail of the day when the fillies run the day before the Kentucky Derby at the Kentucky Oaks race. The Lily Oaks drink is a combination of cranberry juice, orange liqueur, lemonade, and vodka combined and garnished with mint, lemon, and blackberries.

Anyone who has attended a horse race probably then dreams of going to the Kentucky Derby. When we got the chance to go to the Friday race of the Derby weekend, we jumped to the opportunity to go to the Oaks. We loved putting on pink and cheering on all the fillies.

The Lily Oaks cocktail is very much like a blackberry bramble, but with vodka instead of gin. Cranberry juice and lemonade are a fruity combination with vodka and orange liquor for a smooth, cranberry and vodka cocktail.

Lily Oaks Ingredients

Use a clear shot of the ingredients for this recipe, prepped, and labeled if necessary. Insert the ingredients into the list below, omitting quantities.

• Vodka - Deep Eddy Lemon Vodka is a great option for this cocktail. I used Lemon vodka in place of lemonade. Regular vodka can be used plus a shot of lemonade too.
• Cointreau - Orange liquor is a great addition to the cocktail. It is a great way to bring more citrus flavors and sweetness without a sweet and sour mix.
• Cranberry Juice - 100% real juice cranberry juice to bring the pink out in this cocktail perfect for watching the girl's horse race.
• Mint, Blackberries and Lemons - Garnish is a must. Blackberries and lemon slices are the perfect fruit garnish. Mint is a must with any cocktail made for the Derby.

How to Make a Lily Oaks Drink

With only a few simple ingredients, this famous Kentucky Derby Cocktail is simple to make.

Garnish the lily oaks with blackberries and mint sprig.

Hint: If you are having a watch party for the races, premix the vodka, cranberry juice, and Cointreau together ahead of time and refrigerate. Stir to combine before serving.

Cranberry Lemonade Cocktail Variations

This cocktail like so many others on my blog is a simple combination of sweet, sour, and booze. This cocktail could easily be changed up if you want something other than the Lily Oaks drink.

• Juice - Strawberry lemonade, raspberry lemonade, or even a strawberry syrup could be used in this combination.
• Orange Liqueur - My go-to orange liqueur is Cointreau. However, triple sec could also work. If you have other schnapps like peach or a sour apple, you could mix it with vodka and lemon-lime soda.
• Mocktail - Want to make this Lily Oaks mocktail - Try mixing the cranberry juice, lemonade, and lemon-lime soda together. It should be a good mocktail for any kids or non-drinkers.

See this low-carb bramble cocktail on my website!