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Home » Cocktails

The Black Eyed Susan

Jul 16, 2015 · Modified: Feb 26, 2023 by Lauren Pacek · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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The Black Eyed Susan Cocktail: The official drink of the Preakness Stakes

The Black Eyed Susan Cocktail combines fresh fruit juices and two kinds of booze to make one dangerously drinkable cocktail.

The Black Eyed Susan Cocktail | A Nerd Cooks

All three races in the Triple Crown have their own signature cocktail.

Did you know that every race in the famed Triple Crown has its own cocktail? The Kentucky Derby (race#1) has the Mint Julep, of course (see this Derby Cup Cocktail for a fun variation, too). The Belmont Stakes (race #3) has the Belmont Jewel--which to be honest, I didn't know was a thing until like, last week. The drink, that is. Not the race.

And then there's the Preakness Stakes (race #2). The Preakness has the Black Eyed Susan. 

 

Black Eyed Susans are deceptively intoxicating!

So what's all in a Black Eyed Susan? Well, there's pineapple and orange juices, sour mix (homemade, please!), and orange slices and cherries for garnish. And then there's the booze: bourbon and vodka. You can also use rum in place of the bourbon. 

Once it's all shaken up and poured over ice, all you can really taste is the fruit juice. Which, I mean, is delicious. But I can totally see how folks could inadvertently get hammered on these things.

We never made it to the Preakness while we lived in Baltimore, but some friends have gone. From the sounds of it, the Preakness Infield was a hot mess (...sorry Preakness folks). And honestly, I can see how it would get that way if you've been out in the sun all day, pounding Black Eyed Susans.

The Black Eyed Susan Cocktail | A Nerd Cooks

There is no single officially accepted recipe for this drink

Above, I mentioned that you can use either bourbon or rum in this drink, in addition to vodka. I, of course, went with bourbon. And it was delicious. I have made it with a vodka/rum combo, and it is also great. Follow your heart! Or let the contents of your pantry dictate the ingredients.

✨ Recipe

The Black Eyed Susan Cocktail | A Nerd Cooks

The Black Eyed Susan

Lauren Pacek
The Black Eyed Susan (the official drink of the Preakness Stakes!) combines fresh fruit juices and two kinds of booze to make one dangerously drinkable cocktail.
4.46 from 31 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 2 mins
Total Time 2 mins
Course Cocktails
Cuisine American
Servings 1 cocktail
Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 oz vodka
  • 1 oz bourbon or rum
  • 1 oz pineapple juice bottled or freshly juiced
  • 2 oz orange juice freshly squeezed
  • 2 oz sour mix
  • orange slice and maraschino cherry for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Combine vodka, bourbon/rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, and sour mix in a cocktail shaker with ice.
  • Shake until very cold, and strain into a tall glass with ice.
  • Garnish with an orange slice and maraschino cherry.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 2gSodium: 7mgFiber: 4gSugar: 39g

Disclaimer: Nutritional information is a generated estimate and is not guaranteed to be accurate.

Keyword black eyed susan, black eyed susan cocktail, black eyed susan drink, preakness, preakness stakes
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Looking for other super refreshing cocktails?

  • The Derby Cup Cocktail is what you'd get if a Pimm's Cup and a Mint Julep had a baby
  • The Mint Julep is a classic for a reason
  • The Palace Cafe Cocktail makes good use of my homemade sour mix and rosemary infused vodka
  • Grapefruit Rosemary Gimlets are v refreshing
  • Basil Vodka Gimlets are a great summertime sipper, using basil infused vodka
The Black Eyed Susan Cocktail | A Nerd Cooks
The Black Eyed Susan Cocktail | A Nerd Cooks

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I love it when you share my recipes!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Joanne

    July 19, 2015 at 8:05 am

    SLURP. This sounds like something I definitely want to be sipping on! Off to check it out.

    Reply
    • A_Nerd_Cooks

      July 22, 2015 at 7:19 pm

      Thanks, Joanne!!

      Reply
  2. Jacqueline Meldrum

    May 09, 2019 at 4:02 pm

    I'd be happy to partake any of the three, but yours does look and sound glorious. Sharing!

    Reply
  3. Anonymous

    May 09, 2019 at 5:06 pm

    5 stars

    Reply
  4. Sara Welch

    May 09, 2019 at 5:07 pm

    What a cool and refreshing cocktail with a kick! Looking forward to giving this a try!

    Reply
  5. Anonymous

    May 09, 2019 at 6:00 pm

    5 stars

    Reply
  6. Marie

    May 09, 2019 at 6:00 pm

    This looks like the perfect hot weather drink! Love the bright, sweet, and tart flavours in this cocktail.

    Reply
  7. Anonymous

    May 09, 2019 at 6:09 pm

    5 stars

    Reply
  8. Tara

    May 09, 2019 at 6:10 pm

    So refreshing! I pretty much love any drink that has pineapple juice in it.

    Reply
  9. Anonymous

    May 09, 2019 at 7:32 pm

    5 stars

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Lauren! I'm the recipe developer, photographer, and writer here at A Nerd Cooks. I'm a 30-something wife, mom, and scientist with a passion for mixing cocktails, brewing buzzy coffee drinks, and making other delicious beverages at home.

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