LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Many people will be celebrating Kentucky Derby 152 at home.

WDRB’s Keith Kaiser got some Oaks and Derby Entertaining Ideas from America’s Chief Entertaining Officer, Tim Laird and his friends.

Below you’ll find some recipes created by Tim Laird and Chef David Danielson, compiled in their book, The Bourbon Country Cookbook.

You'll find some classic dishes and some creative twists.

Have a tasty Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby 152, Cheers.

Our Signature Mint Julep

Makes: 1 cocktail

Our julep uses a mint simple syrup, which is quicker than muddling and makes the drink easy to make for several people at once.

You can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less simple syrup.

  • 1 ounce Mint Simple Syrup (below)
  • 2 ounces Jefferson’s bourbon
  • 1 mint sprig, for garnish
  1. Fill a tall glass or julep cup with crushed ice.
  2. Add the syrup and then the bourbon.
  3. Top with more crushed ice, add a sipping straw, garnish with the mint, and serve.

Mint Simple Syrup

  • 1 part sugar
  • 1 part water
  • 1 part packed fresh mint leaves
  1. In a small saucepan, over medium heat, combine the sugar and water.
  2. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved.
  3. Remove the pan from the heat, add the mint leaves, and let the mixture steep for 20 minutes.
  4. Strain before using, pressing on the mint leaves to extract as much syrup as possible.

The Original Oaks Lily

Makes: 1 cocktail

  • 1 ounce vodka
  • 1 ounce lemonade (we prefer “Simply Fresh”)
  • 3 ounces cranberry juice
  • Splash of triple sec
  • Squeeze of lime
  • 3 blackberries for garnish
  1. Add ingredients to a shaker with ice.
  2. Shake and strain into a tall glass filled with crushed ice.
  3. Garnish with blackberries.
  4. Add a sipping straw and enjoy.

Oaks Lily Bars

Makes: 10 to 12 servings

  • 1 box strawberry cake mix
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/3 cup oil
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cranberry juice
  • 1 tablespoon orange juice
  • Blackberries, for garnish
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Line a 9x9-inch pan with parchment paper leaving a few inches overhanging the pan.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, oil, and stir until smooth.
  4. Pour the bar mixture into the prepared pan. Bake for 13-15 minutes, do not let them brown.
  5. While the bars bake, in a medium bowl, combine the powdered sugar, cranberry juice, orange juice, and whisk until smooth.
  6. Lift the bars from the pan using the parchment paper.
  7. Place on wire rack and let cool for 5 minutes.
  8. Pour the glaze over the bars while still warm.
  9. Spread the glaze to the edges, allowing it to drip down the sides.
  10. Allow the bars to cool and glaze to set before cutting into squares.
  11. Garnish with sliced blackberries.

Pure Tap® Mint Refresher

Makes: 1 cocktail

Our Pure Tap® Mint Refresher is the perfect mocktail for a large group.

It uses a homemade mint simple syrup that’s easy to scale.

  • 1 ounce Mint Simple Syrup (below)
  • 2 ounces iced tea made with Louisville Pure Tap®
  • 1 mint sprig, for garnish
  1. Fill a tall glass or julep cup with crushed ice made with Louisville Pure Tap®.
  2. Add the syrup and then the iced tea.
  3. Top with more crushed ice, add a sipping straw, garnish with the mint, and serve.

Mint Simple Syrup

  • 1 part sugar
  • 1 part Louisville Pure Tap®
  • 1 part packed fresh mint leaves

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