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    Home » Drinks

    Published Feb 24, 2025 (Updated Jun 12, 2025) by Heather Bilyeu

    Large Batch Kentucky Oaks Lily with Vodka

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    This post may contain affiliate links
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    Nothing says it's the Friday before Derby (aka Oaks Day) like having a cold, sweet, and tart Kentucky Oaks Lily in hand! This homemade version ditches the premade mixes and keeps it simple with just five ingredients—vodka, freshly squeezed lemon juice, homemade simple syrup, triple sec, and cranberry juice. Served over crushed ice in a stemless wine glass and topped with juicy blackberries, it’s as pretty as it is delicious. Whether you're mixing up a single sip or a big batch for your Derby party guests, this Kentucky-inspired cocktail is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! The pitcher serves 12.

    2 Oak's Lillies cocktails in wine glasses with blackberries and a lemon peel twist for garnish.

    The Famous Oaks Day Drink

    The week before Derby is so much fun! Living in Louisville and being born and raised in central Kentucky, there is truly nothing like it. And while we were lucky enough to go to the Derby and Oaks the day before - we usually attend a Derby party one of our friends throws.

    Being a Kentucky southern cook, I always offer to bring a Derby-inspired dish like 10 minute pimento cheese dip or the irresistible Kentucky bourbon pecan and chocolate dessert bars or an oven-baked hot brown casserole to feed lots of mouths.

    But this year I am going to bring a large batch of Oaks Lily cocktail. This is the signature cocktail served on Oaks Day (the Friday before Derby), which arguably is just as big of a deal as Derby Day is. Instead of mixing them up one by one, I am just making a big batch premixed so my guests can serve themselves. Let me walk you through how I make it!

    2 Oak's Lillies cocktails in wine glasses with blackberries and a lemon peel twist for garnish.

    First up - the large batch pitcher version of an oaks lily recipe.

    Pouring vodka in a large pitcher.
    To a large pitcher, add in your vodka...
    Pouring lemon juice into a pitcher.
    ...lemon juice...
    Adding simple syrup into a pitcher with lemon juice.
    ...simple syrup...
    Pouring triple sec into a pitcher.
    ...triple sec...
    Pouring cranberry juice into a pitcher to make an oaks lily cocktail.
    ...cranberry jiuce...
    Pouring sparkling water into a pitcher of an oaks lily cocktail.
    ...and a splash of sparkling water.
    Stirring a large pitcher of an oaks lily cocktail.
    Give it a really good stir and add some ice to chill.

    To serve, fill a stemless wine glass with crushed ice and pour the cocktail over the top. Have a dish of toothpicks with blackberries on them and lemon peel twists for each guest to garnish their own drink.

    ⭐️ After making this recipe personally a couple times this year, I found it best to actually serve in a large drink dispenser instead of a pitcher - something similar to this with a spout where it is was to pour out over ice - drink dispenser with a spout . There was just too much liquid for my pitcher and I found this kind of dispenser to be easier to not only mix everything together but to have to serve IMO (next to a large batch of Kentucky Mint Juleps with bourbon too of course!). (affiliate link)

    The second option - if you're wanting just a single serving cocktail - it's just as easy!

    Pouring vodka into a stemless wine glass.
    To a stemless wine glass, add in your vodka...
    Pouring lemon juice into a stemless wine glass with vodka.
    ...lemon juice...
    Pouring in simple syrup into a seamless wine glass in making a cocktail.
    ...simple syrup...
    Adding triple sec into a glass.
    ...triple sec...
    Pouring cranberry juice into a stemless wine glass.
    ...cranberry juice...
    Stirring an Oak's lily cocktail with a spoon in a wine glass.
    ...and give it a good stir.
    Adding crushed ice to an oaks lily in a wine glass.
    Fill the glass with lots of crushed ice.
    2 Oak's Lillies cocktails in wine glasses with blackberries and a lemon peel twist for garnish.
    And garnish with a lemon peel and blackberries!
    Print

    Recipe

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    kentucky oak lily cocktail with blackberry and lemon peel garnish.

    Large Batch Kentucky Oaks Lily with Vodka


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    • Author: Heather Bilyeu
    • Total Time: 10 minutes
    • Yield: 12
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    Description

    Nothing says it's the Friday before Derby (aka Oaks Day) like having a cold, sweet, and tart Kentucky Oaks Lily in hand! This homemade version ditches the premade mixes and keeps it simple with just five ingredients—vodka, freshly squeezed lemon juice, homemade simple syrup, triple sec, and cranberry juice. Served over crushed ice in a seamless wine glass and topped with juicy blackberries, it’s as pretty as it is delicious. Whether you're mixing up a single sip or a big batch for your Derby party guests, this Kentucky-inspired cocktail is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! 


    Ingredients

    Scale

    Pitcher (serves 12)

    • 3 Cups Vodka
    • ¾ Cup Lemon Juice
    • ¾ Cup Simple Syrup (see notes)
    • 1 ½ Cups Triple Sec
    • 6 Cups Cranberry Juice
    • 1 Cup Sparkling Water
    • Crushed Ice
    • 12 Toothpicks with Blackberries and Lemon Peel for garnish

    Single Serving

    • 2 Ounces Vodka
    • ½ Ounce Lemon Juice
    • ½ Ounce Simple Syrup (see notes)
    • 1 Ounce Triple Sec
    • 4 Ounces Cranberry Juice
    • Crushed Ice
    • Toothpicks with Blackberries and Lemon Peel to Garnish


    Instructions

    For a Pitcher (Serves 12):

    1. In a large pitcher, combine vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, triple sec, cranberry juice, and sparkling water. Stir well to mix.
    2. Fill the rest of the pitcher with crushed ice. Stir again.
    3. Fill stemless wine glasses with crushed ice and pour the cocktail over the top.
    4. Garnish each glass with a toothpick of blackberries and a twist of lemon peel. Serve immediately and enjoy!

    For a Single Serving:

    1. In a stemless wine glass combine vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, triple sec, and cranberry juice. Stir well to combine.
    2. Fill with a little bit of crushed ice and stir again to chill. Fill the glass with more ice to fill.
    3. Garnish with a toothpick of blackberries and a lemon peel twist. Serve and enjoy!

    Notes

    • I used actual cranberry juice, not cranberry juice cocktail.

    Simple Syrup Recipe

    • 1 Cup Water
    • 1 Cup Sugar
    1. In a medium-size saucepan, add the water and sugar. Turn on medium heat.
    2. Bring to a low boil and let cook for 10 minutes. It will reduce down to a thick syrup over that time. Stir at the beginning to help dissolve the sugar.
    3. Once the time is up, remove from the heat and pour into a mason jar or airtight container (if not glass let it cool first).
    4. Store in the fridge and use in any drink or cocktail that needs to be sweetened.
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 0 minutes
    • Category: Drinks - cocktail
    • Method: Cooking
    • Cuisine: American

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 glass
    • Calories: 322
    • Sugar: 33.6 g
    • Sodium: 4.5 mg
    • Fat: 0.3 g
    • Carbohydrates: 34.3 g
    • Fiber: 0.2 g
    • Protein: 0.5 g
    • Cholesterol: 0 mg

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    Tag @fuelingasouthernsoul on Instagram and hashtag it #fuelingasouthernsoul

    Please rate and review below!

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    DISCLOSURE. SOME OF THE LINKS BELOW ARE AFFILIATE LINKS, WHICH MEANS THAT IF YOU CLICK ON A PRODUCT LINK, I MAY RECEIVE COMPENSATION. THIS COMPENSATION COMES AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU, AND AS ALWAYS I ONLY RECOMMEND PRODUCTS I TRUST! HEATHER BILYEU IS A PARTICIPANT IN THE AMAZON SERVICES LLC ASSOCIATES PROGRAM, AN AFFILIATE ADVERTISING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR SITES TO EARN ADVERTISING FEES BY ADVERTISING AND LINKING TO AMAZON.COM.

    « Oven-Baked Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole with Mornay Sauce
    Cast Iron Skillet Kentucky Hot Brown Dip »

    Filed Under: Drinks, Southern

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    Hi, I'm Heather! Grab a glass of wine, a blanket, and a cozy seat on your back porch. I am so glad you are here! Born and raised in Kentucky and with proper southern roots, my love for entertaining and hospitality runs deep within my soul. There is nothing that I love more than having people around my table and loving them through food and drink!

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