Preakness Cocktail

The Preakness Cocktail has a spicy, herbal, sweet, complex flavor profile. A sophisticated whiskey cocktail featuring rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Bénédictine liqueur. This golden-hued drink balances the spice of rye with herbal complexity and a touch of sweetness.

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

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

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

Yes, you can make a mocktail version of the Preakness Cocktail 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 first appeared in cocktail literature during the early 20th century, coinciding with the golden age of American cocktail culture. Named after the Preakness Stakes, which began in 1873 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland, this cocktail reflects the refined drinking culture of the era's sporting elite. The drink gained popularity in gentleman's clubs and upscale establishments frequented by racing enthusiasts and socialites. Its combination of rye whiskey—America's original whiskey—with the French herbal liqueur Bénédictine represents the international sophistication that characterized pre-Prohibition cocktail culture. The recipe has remained relatively unchanged over the decades, a testament to its perfectly balanced formula that captures both the boldness of American spirits and the refined complexity of European liqueurs.