It is loud. It is yellow. It is surprisingly strong. If you find yourself at Pimlico Race Course on the third Saturday in May, you aren’t just watching the middle jewel of the Triple Crown; you are likely holding a plastic commemorative cup filled with the drink of the Preakness, the Black-Eyed Susan.
Most people think horse racing drinks begin and end with the Mint Julep. They’re wrong. While the Kentucky Derby has its bourbon-soaked tradition, Maryland’s signature cocktail is a far more chaotic, evolving, and—frankly—contested beverage. It doesn’t have the 100-year rigid consistency of the Julep. Instead, the Black-Eyed Susan has spent decades undergoing a bit of an identity crisis, changing its recipe more times than some trainers change their silks.
A Cocktail with a Moving Target
The drink of the Preakness is named after the Rudbeckia hirta, the state flower of Maryland. Here is the funny thing: Black-eyed Susans don’t actually bloom in May. When the winning horse is draped in a floral blanket in the winner's circle, those aren't even real Black-eyed Susans. They are usually Viking daisies with painted centers because nature doesn't care about the racing calendar.
The cocktail is just as much of a chameleon.
If you look at the official recipe from the 1980s, it looks nothing like what you’ll get today. Back then, it was a heavy mix of rum, vodka, and orange juice. Then, for a while, it leaned into peach schnapps. Lately, the Maryland Jockey Club has tried to standardize it to ensure fans aren't just drinking a generic fruit punch, but the "authentic" version remains a topic of heated debate among Baltimore bartenders.
The current official iteration leans heavily on a specific blend of vodka, bourbon, and juice. It sounds like a disaster on paper. Vodka and bourbon? Together? It shouldn't work. But when you’re standing in the Maryland sun, the brightness of the citrus cuts through the heat of the spirits, making it dangerously drinkable.
What is Actually in a Black-Eyed Susan?
Let’s get into the weeds. If you want to make the drink of the Preakness at home, you have to decide which era of the race you want to channel.
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The modern "official" recipe sanctioned by the Maryland Jockey Club typically calls for:
- 1.5 oz Mixing Bourbon (they often partner with Sagamore Spirit or Old Forester)
- 1 oz Vodka
- 2 oz Orange Juice
- 2 oz Pineapple Juice
- A splash of lime juice
- A garnish of orange and a maraschino cherry
Wait. No peach schnapps? Not anymore. The schnapps era of the 90s and early 2000s is largely looked back upon as a sugary mistake. The return to a bourbon-base is an attempt to give the drink some "equestrian gravitas."
The mix of pineapple and orange gives it a tropical profile that feels more like a vacation than a high-stakes gambling event. Some bartenders at the inner harbor will swear by adding a dash of bitters to ground the sweetness. Honestly, they’re right. Without a bit of spice or acidity, you’re basically drinking spiked breakfast juice.
The Secret History of the Drink of the Preakness
The Preakness Stakes started in 1873, but the cocktail didn't arrive until 1973. That’s a massive gap. For a century, people were just drinking whatever was available—mostly beer and straight whiskey.
The Black-Eyed Susan was created to give the Baltimore race the same marketing "oomph" that Churchill Downs enjoyed with the Mint Julep. But while the Julep is built on a foundation of crushed ice and silver cups, the Black-Eyed Susan was built on marketing. It was meant to be bright yellow to match the Maryland flag and the flowers.
There’s a legendary story—possibly apocryphal, but widely told in racing circles—that the original recipe was designed by a committee of beverage distributors rather than a master mixologist. That would explain why it feels like every spirit in the cabinet is invited to the party.
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Why it Beats the Mint Julep (Hot Take)
People will hate this. The Mint Julep is a classic, but let's be real: most people don't actually like it. It’s a cup of sugar, swampy weeds, and warm bourbon. It’s an acquired taste that most people only pretend to enjoy for the photos.
The drink of the Preakness, however, is genuinely refreshing.
It is designed for the "InfieldFest" crowd—a younger, rowdier demographic than the Derby. It’s built to be served in large volumes. It’s cold, it’s fruity, and it hides the alcohol content remarkably well. That makes it a better "party" drink, even if it lacks the refined dignity of its Kentucky cousin.
Max Watman, author of Chasing the White Dog, once noted that the shifting nature of the recipe reflects the personality of Baltimore itself. It’s a city that doesn't care much for rigid tradition; it cares about what works right now.
Variations You’ll Find at Pimlico
Go to the corporate tents and you’ll get a refined version with fresh-squeezed juices. Go to the infield, and you’re getting a pre-mixed version from a giant vat.
- The "High-End" Susan: Bartenders often swap the vodka for an elderflower liqueur like St-Germain. This adds a floral note that actually mimics the scent of the flowers the drink is named after.
- The Rye Twist: Since Maryland is historically a rye whiskey state, many local purists swap the bourbon for Maryland Rye. This is arguably the best way to drink it. The spice of the rye balances the pineapple perfectly.
- The Frozen Version: On particularly humid Baltimore days, you’ll find frozen slushie versions. They are a one-way ticket to a brain freeze and a very happy afternoon.
Common Mistakes When Making the Drink of the Preakness
The biggest sin? Using "sour mix." Just don't.
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If you use bottled sour mix, the drink becomes cloying. It coats your tongue in a film of corn syrup. Use real orange juice—preferably with pulp—and real pineapple juice.
Another mistake is the ice. Do not use crushed ice like a Julep. You want large, solid cubes. Because the drink is heavy on juice, it will dilute too quickly if you use crushed ice, turning your $15 cocktail into watery fruit water in about six minutes.
How to Drink Like a Local
If you want to look like you know what you’re doing at the track, don't ask for a "Preakness Cocktail." Nobody calls it that. It’s a Black-Eyed Susan.
Also, pace yourself.
The drink of the Preakness usually clocks in at around two full ounces of liquor per serving. Because it tastes like juice, people tend to put back three of them before the fourth race even starts. By the time the horses are actually at the gate for the main event, half the crowd is seeing double.
Technical Breakdown: The Science of the Sip
The chemistry of the drink is interesting because of the interaction between the citric acid in the orange juice and the oak vanillins in the bourbon.
When you mix a high-tannin spirit (like a barrel-aged bourbon) with a high-acid juice, you get a smoothing effect. The "burn" of the alcohol is chemically masked by the sugar and acid. This is why the Black-Eyed Susan is considered one of the "most dangerous" race drinks. You don't feel the heat until you try to stand up to place a bet.
Actionable Tips for Your Preakness Party
- Batch it early: If you are hosting a watch party, mix the juices and spirits in a large pitcher (without ice) at least two hours before the race. This allows the flavors to marry.
- The 2:1 Ratio: For the best balance, use two parts juice to one part spirit. Anything more and it’s too boozy; anything less and it’s just punch.
- Garnish matters: Don’t skip the maraschino cherry. The syrup that leaks off the cherry into the bottom of the glass provides a final sweet hit that defines the drink's finish.
- Use Maryland Rye: If you can find Sagamore Spirit or Pikesville Rye, use it. It is historically more accurate to the Baltimore region than Kentucky bourbon.
- Glassware: While plastic cups are the tradition at the track, at home, use a highball glass. It keeps the drink cold and showcases the bright yellow color.
The Black-Eyed Susan might be the red-headed stepchild of Triple Crown drinks, but it’s the one people actually finish. It’s unpretentious, slightly messy, and very Maryland. Much like the race itself, it’s a bit of a wild ride. Give it a shot this May, but maybe keep a glass of water nearby. You’ll need it.