BELMONT JEWEL
The Belmont Jewel: Racing's Newest Classic
The Belmont Jewel became the official drink of the Belmont Stakes in 2011 after the race went through several different cocktails over the years. Unlike the Kentucky Derby's unwavering commitment to the Mint Julep, the Belmont Stakes has changed official drinks multiple times. Before the Belmont Jewel, there was the White Carnation starting in 1975 and the Belmont Breeze created by bartender Dale DeGroff in 1998.
The Belmont Jewel was introduced as part of a modernization effort. Race organizers wanted something bourbon-based that was easy to make at home and could be prepared in large quantities at the track. They needed a fan-friendly drink that anyone could shake up, and this fit perfectly.
The recipe couldn't be simpler: one and a half ounces bourbon, two ounces lemonade, and one ounce pomegranate juice shaken with ice and strained over fresh ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with a lemon twist or wedge.
For bourbon, Woodford Reserve has been an official sponsor of Belmont Park, and various race sponsors have featured different bourbons over the years including Knob Creek and Woodinville. Any mid-shelf bourbon works fine - Buffalo Trace, Four Roses, Maker's Mark, or Jim Beam all do the job.
The lemonade can be homemade or store-bought, though fresh lemonade gives better flavor. Pomegranate juice adds tartness and creates that jewel-like ruby color that gives the drink its name. The combination of sweet lemonade, tart pomegranate, and warming bourbon creates something refreshing and well-balanced.
Making it takes about thirty seconds. Combine all three ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake vigorously until cold, strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice, and add your lemon garnish. The drink is also perfect for batching - just multiply the recipe and mix it in a pitcher for parties.
What makes the Belmont Jewel special is how approachable it is. The fruit juices make it accessible for people who don't typically drink bourbon, while bourbon lovers still get that whiskey backbone they want. It works perfectly for summer entertaining since it's refreshing, colorful, and requires no complicated techniques or obscure ingredients.
The drink has stuck around since 2011, which suggests they finally found a winner after decades of changing official cocktails.
RECIPE:
2 oz bourbon
½ oz sweet vermouth
½ oz heavy cream
Few drops grenadine
Method:
Shake bourbon, vermouth, cream, and grenadine with ice.
Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
Smooth surface, no garnish necessary.