Kentucky Longshot
Bourbon, ginger liqueur and peach brandy with Peychaud's and Angostura, stirred. A Louisville bourbon cocktail of the 2000s — peach and ginger against the whiskey, named for a Derby bet.
Built to the standard modern spec; not yet tested in our kitchen. How we test.
The recipe.
Scaling adjusts quantities only. Prepare shaken drinks in individual portions.
Let’s make a good drink.
Chill a coupe.
Add the bourbon, ginger liqueur, peach brandy and both bitters to a mixing glass.
Fill with ice and stir for 25 seconds.
Strain into the chilled coupe and garnish with a slice of candied ginger.
A thoughtful finish
- Both bitters; they keep the liqueurs in check.
- Serve on a rock for a slower drink.
- A dry peach brandy makes it drier; a liqueur is Perrine's.
Common mistakes
- Skipping the bitters, which leaves it sweet.
- Peach schnapps, which is syrup.
- Shaking.
A few good questions.
What does a Kentucky Longshot taste like?
Bourbon with peach and spicy ginger sweetness and a bitters edge — a fruity, spiced Manhattan.
Who created it?
Joy Perrine of Louisville, by the usual account, around 2009.
What is ginger liqueur?
A cognac-based liqueur flavoured with fresh ginger — Domaine de Canton is the standard.
Why the name?
A Derby long shot, the horse nobody bets on.
Variations
- Manhattan — Rye, sweet vermouth and bitters.
- Georgia Julep — Cognac, peach brandy and mint.
- Kentucky Buck — Bourbon, strawberry, lemon and ginger beer.
- Old Fashioned — Whiskey, sugar and bitters.
Where it comes from
c. 2009 · Louisville, Kentucky · Joy Perrine
Contested. More than one origin is claimed for this drink. We show the competing accounts rather than pick one.
Joy Perrine, the Louisville bartender who co-wrote The Kentucky Bourbon Cocktail Book with Susan Reigler in 2009, is usually credited with the Kentucky Longshot — bourbon with Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur and peach brandy, a dash each of Peychaud’s and Angostura, stirred and served up or over ice with candied ginger. It is a Derby-season drink, named for the horse nobody bet on, and it uses two of Kentucky’s own flavours, peach and ginger, in a Manhattan’s shape with liqueurs in the vermouth’s place. The ginger liqueur is the key; it is sweet and spicy and does the work of both syrup and spice. A dash of each bitters keeps it from going sweet.
Sources
- Joy Perrine and Susan Reigler, The Kentucky Bourbon Cocktail Book, 2009 (book)
- Difford's Guide, Kentucky Longshot, 2012 (reference)
- Liquor.com, Kentucky Longshot, 2019 (reference)
Strength. About 1.75 US standard drinks at an estimated 34.1% ABV, estimated from the ingredients and technique, not measured. What that means.
A little character in every sip.
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