Pimlico Special

Preakness is one of the main events during the horse racing season in America. This drink is a nod to the thoroughbred race track, Pimlico Field, in Baltimore. This is an overly sweet cocktail that will take you a while to finish. The sugar makes for added richness on the tongue and the flavor is somewhat like chocolate chip cookies. If that's your thing, try this drink. Better yet, try it while watching the race in the stands at Pimlico Field or at home.

• 1 1/2 oz. brandy
• 1/2 oz. amaretto
• 1/2 oz. white creme de cacao

 Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. 

Preakness

The Preakness race is this weekend in Baltimore and this is the cocktail with the same name. So the Preakness is in the same league as the Belmont Stakes and the Mint Julep Something about big horse races just requires bourbon. That's why I chose Basil Hayden's straight bourbon instead of the blended whiskey that the recipe calls for. 

Sweet vermouth is a prominent feature of this drink. Benedictine is a good friend to bourbon, and the teaspoon of this French herbal liqueur really caps the whole experience.

• 2 oz. blended whiskey (Basil Hayden's straight bourbon used)
• 1 oz. sweet vermouth
• 1 tsp. Benedictine
• 1 dash Angostura bitters
• lemon twist

Combine all ingredients except twist in a mixing glass full of ice. Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Twist lemon peel over the glass and drop it in.