Kentucky Oaks

Tomorrow is the Kentucky Oaks! This is a race for 3-year-old female horses that takes place the day before the Kentucky Derby. Churchill Downs will be decked out in pink, and many of the attendees wear pink dresses and pink hats. Last year, I attended the Oaks for the first time. I wore a vintage Escada dress that I purchased at local Milwaukee boutique, Lela, a bright pink hat from Macy’s and matching Tory Burch shoes.

The signature Derby drink of course is the mint julep, but the Oaks cocktail is called the Lily — in honor of the blanket of pink lilies awarded to the winning horse. Here is the recipe. Cheers!

Oaks Lily

1 oz. vodka

1 oz sweet and sour mix

3 oz cranberry juice

splash of triple sec

Once the ingredients are mixed, place the Oaks Lily in a tall glass with crushed ice, add a straw and garnish with an orange wedge and cherry.