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Brown Derby Recipe

Brown Derby Recipe

Learn how to make the perfect homemade Brown Derby cocktail - a prohibition-era classic that balances the warmth of bourbon with tart grapefruit and sweet honey syrup. This easy craft cocktail recipe delivers a sophisticated sip that's surprisingly approachable for home bartenders while impressing with its balanced complexity.
Difficulty:
Beginner
Prep Time:
5 mins
Cook Time:
Serves:
1 cocktail
An elegant coupe glass captures the Brown Derby in golden-hour lighting, showcasing its amber-honey color with subtle pink undertones. Condensation beads on the exterior of the chilled crystal glass, while a twist of grapefruit peel curls artfully over the rim, releasing essential oils that catch the light. The background features blurred bourbon bottles and vintage bar elements, creating a warm, sophisticated atmosphere that highlights the cocktail's classic heritage and appealing color contrast between the rich amber liquid and the vibrant citrus garnish.

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">60ml bourbon whiskey</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">30ml fresh grapefruit juice</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">15ml honey syrup (equal parts honey and hot water, stirred until dissolved)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Grapefruit twist for garnish</li></ul>

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🍽️ Serving Size:
🔥 Calories:
🥑 Fat:
🧈 Saturated Fat:
🍞 Carbohydrates:
🍭 Sugar:
🍗 Protein:
🫀 Cholesterol:
🧂 Sodium:

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">Cocktail shaker</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Hawthorne strainer</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Jigger or measuring tool</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Coupe glass</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Citrus peeler or sharp knife</li></ul>

Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Prepare your honey syrup by combining equal parts honey and hot water (15ml of each), stirring until fully dissolved. If making larger batches, this can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>Chill your coupe glass by filling it with ice and a splash of water while you prepare the cocktail. A properly chilled glass will keep your cocktail at the ideal temperature longer.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>Add the bourbon, freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, and honey syrup to your cocktail shaker. Fresh juice is essential here – the bright acidity of freshly squeezed grapefruit creates a completely different experience than bottled juice.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Fill your shaker with ice cubes to about ¾ full. Seal your shaker tightly to avoid any spillage during shaking.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds. You're not just mixing ingredients but also properly diluting and chilling the cocktail. The outside of the shaker should become frosty – this is your visual cue that the drink is properly chilled.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Empty the ice water from your coupe glass. Double strain the cocktail through your Hawthorne strainer and a fine mesh strainer into the chilled glass to ensure a silky-smooth texture without ice shards or pulp.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>Cut a strip of grapefruit peel about 5cm long and 1cm wide. Twist it over the surface of the cocktail to express the aromatic oils, then rub it around the rim of the glass to enhance the citrus aromatics before placing it decoratively on the edge of the glass.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>Serve immediately while the cocktail is perfectly chilled. The Brown Derby is best enjoyed fresh, while the delicate balance between the bourbon's warmth, the grapefruit's brightness, and the honey's sweetness is at its peak.</li></ol>

FAQs

Find answers to your most pressing questions about this delicious recipe right here.

What ingredients are used in Brown Derby Recipe?

The Brown Derby requires bourbon whiskey, fresh grapefruit juice, and honey syrup (made from equal parts honey and hot water). It's garnished with a twist of grapefruit peel to enhance the citrus aromatics and add visual appeal.

How to make Brown Derby Recipe at home?

Learn how to make Brown Derby Recipe by combining 60ml bourbon, 30ml fresh grapefruit juice and 15ml honey syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add ice, shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds, then strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a grapefruit twist, expressing the oils over the surface for enhanced aromatics.

Which bourbon works best for a proper Brown Derby cocktail?

A mid-range, slightly sweet bourbon with notes of vanilla and caramel (like Buffalo Trace or Maker's Mark) works brilliantly in this cocktail. The whiskey's sweetness should complement the tart grapefruit without overpowering the delicate balance of flavours.

Can I substitute honey syrup with another sweetener in this bourbon-grapefruit cocktail?

While honey syrup provides distinctive flavour and silky texture, you can substitute with simple syrup or agave nectar. Each sweetener will alter the character slightly—honey adds floral notes, simple syrup offers clean sweetness, and agave provides earthy undertones.

Why is this prohibition-era cocktail shaken rather than stirred?

This cocktail contains citrus juice, which requires thorough integration with the spirits. Shaking not only properly chills and dilutes the drink but also creates the necessary emulsification of the juice and honey syrup with the bourbon for a silky texture and balanced flavour profile.

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