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The Churchill Downs Cooler is a bourbon-forward mixed drink combining brandy and triple sec with spicy ginger ale, named after Kentucky's legendary racetrack. Its warm spice and citrus notes make it ideal for sipping year-round.
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Take a lovely tall glass and add a good handful of ice.
Pour in the Bourbon, Brandy, and Curacao.
Top up with chilled ginger ale.
Stir well.
Garnish with a slice of lemon and serve.
Cocktails are best served immediately. Pre-batch spirits and refrigerate up to 4 hours; add ice and ginger ale fresh at service.
cocktail jigger (for measuring 40ml, 25ml, 12ml) · mixing glass or pitcher (for batching) · bar spoon (for stirring)
Yes. Substitute 12ml of orange curaçao, orange liqueur, or omit entirely and increase bourbon to 45ml for a drier spirit-forward drink.
Medium-bodied wheated or rye bourbons (around 80–90 proof) work well. Avoid high-proof bottles unless you prefer a stronger spirit profile.
Mix bourbon, brandy, and triple sec in a pitcher up to 4 hours ahead. Add ice and top with ginger ale just before serving to preserve carbonation.
Use a quality ginger ale with bold spice (Fever Tree or Bundaberg). Mass-market brands work but deliver less complexity.
Express a lemon slice over the drink for citrus oils, then drop it in as garnish. An orange wheel also complements the triple sec and brandy.
