Preakness

The Preakness has a herbal, spicy, sweet, complex flavor profile. A sophisticated whiskey cocktail that combines rye whiskey with sweet vermouth and Bénédictine, creating a complex and aromatic drink. Named after the famous horse race, this cocktail embodies the elegance and tradition of the Kentucky Derby's sister race.

A Preakness requires 5 ingredients: Rye Whiskey, Sweet Vermouth, Benedictine, Angostura Bitters, Lemon peel.

A Preakness takes about 3 minutes to prepare and is considered medium difficulty.

A Preakness is traditionally served in a coupe, garnished with lemon peel twist.

Yes, you can make a mocktail version of the Preakness by substituting the spirits with non-alcoholic alternatives such as seedlip, non-alcoholic distilled spirits, or flavored syrups and juices that mimic the original flavor profile.

The Preakness cocktail emerged in the early 20th century, during the golden age of American cocktail culture. Named after the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of horse racing's Triple Crown held annually at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, this cocktail was created to honor the prestigious race that began in 1873. The drink first appeared in bartending manuals around the 1920s, during Prohibition, when creative mixologists were experimenting with European liqueurs like Bénédictine to add complexity to their whiskey-based cocktails. The combination of rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Bénédictine reflects the sophisticated tastes of the era's racing elite, who would gather at exclusive clubs to celebrate the sport of kings. Unlike its more famous cousin, the Mint Julep associated with the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness offered a more complex, herb-forward profile that appealed to cosmopolitan palates. The cocktail experienced a revival during the craft cocktail renaissance of the 2000s, as bartenders rediscovered classic recipes that showcased the interplay between American whiskey and European liqueurs.