A classic bourbon cocktail made with grapefruit and honey called a Brown Derby.
It all started back in early December; the bartender handed me a pretty, light pink drink that all the ladies were having that night. I asked him what it was and he firmly insisted I try it before he would tell me.
I cautiously took a sip afraid of the mysterious concoction I had just been handed while simultaneously determining whether I was willing to trust his recommendation.
I felt the tart hit of grapefruit hit my tongue and gently give way to a smooth honeyed heat that lingered long after. It was good, very good. I asked again what it was I was drinking and he replied “a Brown Derby.”
It’s interesting how some drinks become so entrenched in cocktail history. Bartenders everywhere are mixing, shaking and stirring up living history every night, many from decades passed. The Brown Derby is one of those cocktails.
What is a Brown Derby Cocktail?
A combination of bourbon, grapefruit and honey; history has it that this particular cocktail was invented at the Vendome Club in Hollywood in the early 1930's and was named after the famous hat-shaped restaurant on Wilshire Blvd. called the Brown Derby a popular celebrity hangout at the time, the place to be and be seen.
Regardless of the cocktail’s origins it’s a classic worth re-visiting. The bourbon merges nicely with the honeyed grapefruit base giving the drink depth and structure; it’s a result that’s much greater than the sum of its parts. The beauty of this drink is in its simplicity, no liqueurs or hard-to-find ingredients, just pure clean flavors.
I mixed up another Brown Derby the other night which only makes me wonder why it took me so long…
(This post originally appeared in 2013, original content and recipe have been updated.)
Brown Derby Cocktail
A classic bourbon cocktail made with grapefruit and honey called a Brown Derby.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz Bourbon (choose a gluten-free brand)
- 1 ½ oz Freshly Squeezed Grapefruit Juice
- ½ oz Honey Syrup (made from equal parts water and honey brought to a simmer and cooled)
- 1 grapefruit slice, for garnish
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients into a shaker with ice, shake vigorously and strain into a chilled champagne coupe or cocktail glass garnish glass with sliced grapefruit.
Notes
NOTE: While being made from gluten-containing grains, bourbon is generally thought to be gluten-free due to the distillation process. However some people may still react due to cross contamination or due to gluten-containing ingredients added after distillation so it's best to choose a brand that's made from non-gluten grains. You can find a list here.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 76Carbohydrates: 19gSugar: 17gProtein: 2g
Sylvie Shirazi is the recipe developer and food photographer behind Gourmande in the Kitchen. For the last 10 years she's been making eating more healthfully easy and accessible with gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and vegan recipes that are free from processed ingredients.
Asmita says
Absolutely beautiful!
Sukaina says
I'm a huge grapefruit fan. I'm told it's good for losing weight! I love the color combo with grey here.
A Couple in the Kitchen says
Not a huge grapefruit fan, but this looks so pretty and sounds so refreshing, am thinking I can get on board.
Sylvie says
It really is very refreshing and the honey tames some of the tartness of the grapefruit and makes it quite mellow compared to a fresh one.
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
I'm so happy to have discovered your blog as well as the link to The Boys Club. The brown derby sounds like a new cocktail that I must try.
Sylvie says
Thanks Karen! I hope you get a chance to try it, it's my new favorite.
Jamie says
I've been wallowing in citrus lately but when I cook or bake it is usually with oranges. Now I'm dreaming of grapefruit... and that warm honeyed hit.
zerrin says
I LOVE the color of grapefruit and its spectacular flavor! This cocktail looks amazing!
Jeanne @ Cooksister says
OMG you are playing my song! My favourite short cocktail is probably a bourbon sour, and this sounds like an awesome riff on that. Definitely going to try this! Gorgeous photos, as always - the colour of that grapefruit... Swoon!
najwa kronfel says
Beautifully done Sylvie! I love the Boys Club, great concept.
Reem | Simply Reem says
Beautiful!!!!
Im in LOVE with the pics... the colors are to die for...
And the drink sounds so good....
Love IT!
Joyti says
I actually checked your recipe and photographs yesterday - gorgeous as always. I haven't had a brown derby (don't really drink so...) but it sounds really refreshing, and nice for spring.