What Is A Black-Eyed Susan Cocktail?

The fruity drink has been dubbed the official cocktail of the Triple Crown’s Preakness Stakes for over 50 years.

Sunny in color, fruity in flavor, and packed with a stiff punch, the black-eyed Susan has been hailed by many as Maryland’s signature cocktail. While recipes vary, a classic black-eyed Susan cocktail typically calls for orange juice, orange liqueur, vodka, and rum. The drink is garnished with fresh orange slices and candy red maraschino cherries.

Black-Eyed Susan Slushies — Credit: Victor Protasio; Food Stying: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Where Does Its Name Come From?

The black-eyed Susan cocktail gets its name from the pretty yellow flower of the same moniker, which happens to be Maryland’s state flower. Every May, Baltimore hosts a high-profile horse race—the Triple Crown’s Preakness Stakes—and black-eyed Susan blooms are used to make the celebratory blanket draped over the winning horse. Because of the significance of the black-eyed Susan flower in the Maryland-based event, the black-eyed Susan cocktail was named the official drink of the Preakness Stakes in 1973, and it remains the signature cocktail to this day.

Fun Fact

All three Triple Crown races—the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes—have a signature cocktail. Attendees can enjoy a mint julep at the Kentucky Derby, a black-eyed Susan at the Preakness Stakes, and a Belmont jewel at the Belmont Stakes.

How To Make A Black-Eyed Susan Cocktail

Sweet, tart, and refreshing, the black-eyed Susan cocktail is a sunny summer day in a cup. Orange juice and vodka are staple ingredients, but you can take some liberties where others are concerned. Beyond the non-negotiables, our black-eyed Susan recipe calls for fresh-squeezed orange juice, orange liqueur, sour mix, your choice of rum or bourbon, and lots of ice (preferably crushed). Combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake until it’s too cold to handle. Pour into glasses over more ice and drink as is, or pretty it up with a garnish of orange slices and maraschino cherries.

Ingredients

1/4 cup sour mix
2 Tbsp. (1 oz.) light rum or bourbon
2 Tbsp. (1 oz.) vodka
2 Tbsp. (1 oz.) orange liqueur (such as Grand Marnier, Triple Sec, or Cointreau)
2 Tbsp. orange juice
Ice
Orange wedge (garnish)
Red maraschino cherry (garnish)

Directions

Combine ingredients in a shaker:

Place sour mix, rum or bourbon, vodka, orange liqueur, and orange juice in a cocktail shaker.

Credit: Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Shake to blend:

Fill shaker with ice; cover with lid, and shake until well chilled, 10 to 15 seconds.

Credit: Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Strain cocktail over ice:

Strain into a highball glass filled with ice.

Credit: Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Garnish, and serve:

Garnish with an orange wedge and cherry. Serve immediately.

Credit: Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox