A Deconstructed Oaks Lily Cocktail

The Oaks Lily Cocktail is a cocktail I just learned about, but wow is it light, refreshing and delicious.

Now the Oaks Lily is a cocktail designed for the Kentucky Oaks, a female-horse race held each year on the day before the Kentucky Derby. I like to think the drink is sharp, fun and festive, just like femme-lead event itself.

And of course I can’t do anything ~normally~, so my Oaks Lily Cocktail is deconstructed. I first had this style of cocktail as a margarita at a restaurant near me, and wow was I hooked on how fun it was!

A deconstructed cocktail is simply where the mixers/juices are frozen first, then added to the glass in their pre-portioned amounts, and then the liquor is poured over them. This means as the ice melts, the drink dilutes and forms, making every sip different!

However, a deconstructed cocktail on really works if you’re using a liquor you actually want to be tasting. So focus on nice vodkas or mezcals for this, and then it will all make sense!

Watch the recipe here

The video may not fully represent the recipe. For best results, follow the instructions as written.

Deconstructed Oaks Lilly

It's not often I make a deconstructed cocktail, but when I do, I like to make sure it counts! Deconstructed just means that any elements you can make frozen, you do, and the cocktail dilutes as you sip it! This means you can enjoy a different dimension of your alcohol of choice as you drink your drink. Just make sure you choose a high quality brand, and you're in good shape.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Freezing Time 12 hours hrs

Servings: 2 servings

Cook mode:Prevent your screen from going dark

Equipment

• ▢
  1 citrus juicer

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 medium lemon
• ▢ 1 small lime
• ▢ 6 ounces cranberry juice
• ▢ 1/2 ounce triple sec
• ▢ 2 1/2 ounces vodka
• ▢ Club soda, as needed

Instructions 

1. Juice the lemon and lime into a bowl. This should yield at least two ounces of juice. Pour this into two large ice cube molds.
2. Divide the cranberry juice and pour into two large ice cube molds.
3. Freeze both the citrus juice and the cranberry juice for 6-12 hours.
4. When you are ready to serve, add the frozen citrus mix and frozen juice to a shallow glass (such as a lowball). Top with 1/4 ounce of triple sec in each glass, and 1 1/4 ounces of vodka in each glass. Top with club soda so that the ice cubes are covered.
5. Serve cold!