Brown DerbyCocktail recipe
Rating
Microbadges
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Cocktail Colin says:
The Brown Derby is a splendid example of how cocktail crafting can turn into an art form, mixing the robust warmth of bourbon with the tartness of pink grapefruit juice and the subtle sweetness of maple syrup. This combination allows for a seamless dance between the fruity acidity and the deep, sweet notes, creating a complex yet surprisingly refreshing profile that delights with each sip.
Method
How to make a Brown Derby
-
- Begin by placing all of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice
-
- Shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds, or until you notice the shaker's exterior has frosted over
-
- Once shaken, use a fine mesh strainer to pour the mixture into a pre-chilled glass, ensuring any ice fragments are caught and only the smooth drink is served
-
- Enjoy your perfectly crafted cocktail
Power tips
Elevate the Brown Derby with these master mixologist tips
Upgrade to premium
And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.
Find out more- Subscribe to premium to receive power tips from top bartenders around the world. Raise you mixology game.
- Read the tweaks that take this simple cocktail to the next level of greatness. Become the next best mixologist which people all talk about.
Learn more about some of the mixology terms used in this cocktail
· Shake ·Your private tasting notes
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Featured in
-
POV: Celebrity
Cocktails that represent artists and other celebrities.
FAQ's
What is the origin of the Brown Derby cocktail?
The Brown Derby cocktail is named after the famous Brown Derby restaurant chain in Los Angeles, which was popular in the Golden Age of Hollywood. It's believed to have been created in the 1930s, although the exact origin within the chain is debated. The cocktail gained popularity for its simple yet refreshing combination of bourbon, grapefruit juice, and honey (or maple syrup in some variations).
Can I use a different type of syrup instead of maple syrup in a Brown Derby?
Yes, while maple syrup provides a unique flavor to the Brown Derby, you can substitute it with honey syrup or simple syrup if preferred. Honey syrup will offer a taste closer to the cocktail's original recipe, giving a floral sweetness that complements the bourbon and grapefruit juice.
What type of bourbon is best for a Brown Derby?
For a Brown Derby cocktail, it's best to use a bourbon that's well-balanced and not too overpowering, so it can harmonize with the sweetness of the maple syrup and the tartness of the grapefruit juice. A medium-bodied bourbon with a slightly sweet profile is ideal. Brands like Buffalo Trace, Maker's Mark, or Woodford Reserve are excellent choices.
Is there a specific reason the Brown Derby is served in a cocktail glass?
Serving the Brown Derby in a cocktail glass is not just for aesthetics; it's also practical. The wide brim of the cocktail glass allows the drink's aroma, especially the citrus from the grapefruit juice, to be more pronounced, enhancing the drinking experience. Moreover, a cocktail glass typically doesn't hold ice, which suits the serving method of the Brown Derby—cold but not diluted by ice.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
The Ultimate Christmas Cocktail Hub
The ultimate destination for all things Christmas and Cocktails. Crate your own Christmas cocktail, cocktail advent calendars, a host of Christmas themed cocktails and more.
Filter by Christmas cocktails that contain a certain ingredient, or just browse them all. The go-to location this Christmas.
Let's goYou might also like
Manhattan Sweet
The Manhattan Sweet is a classic cocktail that originated in the late 1800s in New York City. This sophisticated drink...
Chocolate Cherry Old Fashioned
The Chocolate Cherry Old Fashioned is a luxurious twist on the classic, combining the warmth of bourbon with the richness...
Coffee Old Fashioned
The Coffee Old Fashioned offers a unique blend of bold coffee flavors and the sweet, smooth richness of bourbon. This...
Revolver
Praised by Jeffrey Morgenthaler in his infamous book.
Create a cocktail
Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.
Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.
Start creatingBuild your bar
Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.
Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.
Create My Bar
Comments
No comments yet…
You need to be a user with a verified email to comment on cocktails. Login / register