If you're gearing up for Derby weekend and you are not a bourbon person, this Oaks Lily drink recipe is exactly what you need. While the mint julep gets all the attention on Derby Day, the Oaks Lily is the official cocktail of the Kentucky Oaks, the race held the Friday before the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission when you click on the links and make a purchase. I will never recommend a product that I don’t support 100%.
You’ll love this Oaks Lily drink
It's perfect if you want a fun Derby drink, but don't love bourbon. The Oaks Lily drink is a vodka-based cocktail, making it a great alternative to the classic mint julep for anyone who prefers something a little lighter and less spirit-forward. All the Derby vibes, none of the bourbon!
It's easy to make. Just five ingredients and a cocktail shaker, and you are done. This is one of those cocktails that looks way more impressive than the effort it actually takes to make.
It's delicious. Cranberry juice, fresh lemon, a splash of triple sec, and a little simple syrup come together to create this perfectly balanced cocktail that is sweet, a little tart, and completely refreshing. You are going to love it.
Ingredients
Plain Vodka. Finlandia is actually the official vodka sponsor of the Kentucky Oaks, so that is a fun and authentic choice! But any good quality plain vodka will work great here. Tito's and Grey Goose are both popular picks.
Triple Sec. Triple sec adds that bright, slightly sweet orange flavor, giving the Oaks Lily drink its subtle depth and complexity. It is inspired by the classic cosmopolitan, and just a splash makes a big difference in the final flavor. Cointreau is a great upgrade if you want to splurge a little!
Cranberry Juice. This is what gives the Oaks Lily its signature gorgeous pink color! Use a cranberry juice cocktail rather than 100% cranberry juice. The cocktail version is sweetened and much more balanced in this drink. The deep pink color is a nod to the beautiful pink stargazer lily garland draped over the winning filly at the Kentucky Oaks.
Lemon Juice. Fresh-squeezed lemon juice is the key to making this Oaks Lily drink taste bright and vibrant
Simple Syup. Just a small splash of simple syrup rounds out everything and beautifully balances the tartness of the lemon juice. You can buy it at the store or make your own by combining equal parts sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Let it cool completely and store it in the fridge for up to a month!
How to make an Oaks Lily drink
- Fill your cocktail shaker with ice. Load it up generously so your Oaks Lily drink gets perfectly cold before it hits the glass.
- Add the vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker. Seal it up tight and shake vigorously for about 15 to 20 seconds, until the outside of the shaker feels frosty.
- Strain into a glass over fresh ice. The traditional Kentucky Oaks Lily is served in a stemless wine glass, which looks so elegant for a Derby party. A highball glass or Collins glass works great, too! Garnish and enjoy immediately.
Substitutions and variations
Vodka. Want to add a little extra citrus flavor? Swap the plain vodka for a lemon vodka or orange vodka. It adds a fun twist to the classic Oaks Lily recipe and bumps up the citrus even more without adding any extra ingredients. Citron vodka is especially delicious here!
Lemonade. If you want to simplify things even further, you can swap out both the lemon juice and the simple syrup and just use lemonade instead. It saves you a step, and the result is still really delicious! Use about 2 ounces of a good-quality lemonade in place of both.
Honey Syrup. Swap the simple syrup for honey syrup to add a soft, floral sweetness that pairs so beautifully with the cranberry and lemon in this cocktail. Just combine equal parts honey and warm water, stir until combined, and let it cool before using. It adds a lovely little layer of warmth and complexity to the Oaks Lily drink!
Garnish ideas
- Lemon Wheel
- Blackberry
How to make a big batch of this Oaks Lily drink
Hosting a Kentucky Derby or Kentucky Oaks watch party? This Oaks Lily pitcher recipe is a lifesaver and, honestly, one of the best parts of this cocktail. Since there are no carbonated ingredients, you can mix the whole batch ahead of time and just pour it over ice when your guests arrive. So easy!
To make a big batch of Oaks Lily drinks (about 8 to 10 servings), combine the following in a large pitcher:
- 2 cups plain vodka
- ½ cup triple sec
- 3 cups cranberry juice
- ¾ cup fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup simple syrup
Stir everything together, cover, and refrigerate until you are ready to serve. Pour over ice into individual glasses, and garnish each with a lemon wheel and a few fresh blackberries. It looks so stunning on a party table and takes basically zero effort day-of. That is a win!
FAQs
What is in the Oaks lily drink?
The Oaks Lily drink is made with vodka, cranberry juice, triple sec, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Everything gets combined in a cocktail shaker with ice, shaken until cold, and strained into a glass over fresh ice.
How do you make Oaks Lily mocktail?
Making a non-alcoholic Oaks Lily is really easy! Just leave out the vodka and the triple sec and replace them with a little extra cranberry juice and a splash of orange juice to keep that bright citrus flavor.
Pin it for later!
Want more Kentucky Derby Recipes?
Oaks Lily Drink
If you're gearing up for Derby weekend and you are not a bourbon person, this Oaks Lily drink recipe is exactly what you need. While the mint julep gets all the attention on Derby Day, the Oaks Lily is the official cocktail of the Kentucky Oaks, the race held the Friday before the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces vodka
- ½ ounce orange liqueur
- 3 ounces cranberry juice
- ½ ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- ½ ounce simple syrup
Instructions
- Fill your cocktail shaker with ice. Load it up generously so your Oaks Lily drink gets perfectly cold before it hits the glass.
- Add the vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker. Seal it up tight and shake vigorously for about 15 to 20 seconds, until the outside of the shaker feels frosty.
- Strain into a glass over fresh ice. The traditional Kentucky Oaks Lily is served in a stemless wine glass, which looks so elegant for a Derby party. A highball glass or Collins glass works great, too! Garnish and enjoy immediately.
Notes
Substitutions and variations
Vodka. Want to add a little extra citrus flavor? Swap the plain vodka for a lemon vodka or orange vodka. It adds a fun twist to the classic Oaks Lily recipe and bumps up the citrus even more without adding any extra ingredients. Citron vodka is especially delicious here!
Lemonade. If you want to simplify things even further, you can swap out both the lemon juice and the simple syrup and just use lemonade instead. It saves you a step, and the result is still really delicious! Use about 2 ounces of a good-quality lemonade in place of both.
Honey Syrup. Swap the simple syrup for honey syrup to add a soft, floral sweetness that pairs so beautifully with the cranberry and lemon in this cocktail. Just combine equal parts honey and warm water, stir until combined, and let it cool before using. It adds a lovely little layer of warmth and complexity to the Oaks Lily drink!
Garnish ideas
- Lemon Wheel
- Blackberry
How to make a big batch of this Oaks Lily drink
Hosting a Kentucky Derby or Kentucky Oaks watch party? This Oaks Lily pitcher recipe is a lifesaver and honestly one of the best things about this cocktail. Since there are no carbonated ingredients, you can mix the whole batch ahead of time and just pour it over ice when your guests arrive. So easy!
To make a big batch of Oaks Lily drinks (about 8 to 10 servings), combine the following in a large pitcher:
- 2 cups plain vodka
- ½ cup triple sec
- 3 cups cranberry juice
- ¾ cup fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup simple syrup
Stir everything together, cover, and refrigerate until you are ready to serve. Pour over ice in individual glasses and garnish each one with a lemon wheel and a few fresh blackberries. It looks so stunning on a party table and takes basically zero effort day-of. That is a win!
FAQs
What is in the Oaks lily drink?
The Oaks Lily drink is made with vodka, cranberry juice, triple sec, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Everything gets combined in a cocktail shaker with ice, shaken until cold, and strained into a glass over fresh ice.
How do you make Oaks Lily mocktail?
Making a non-alcoholic Oaks Lily is really easy! Just leave out the vodka and the triple sec and replace them with a little extra cranberry juice and a splash of orange juice to keep that bright citrus flavor.
Leave a Reply