The brown derby cocktail is one of my favorite classic bourbon cocktails. The brown derby is a simple concoction made up of bourbon, honey syrup, and fresh grapefruit juice. It’s smooth and citrusy with sweet notes of brown sugar thanks to the honey and bourbon combo.

Whenever I have fresh grapefruit juice at my disposal, I always make a point to put some aside for this cocktail. No matter the weather or occasion, this refreshing cocktail always seems to fit the bill.

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Fresh Grapefruit Juice

The title says it all—no substitutes here. When a cocktail calls for fresh grapefruit, bottled juices won’t fit the bill. I use pink grapefruits (or whatever you can find) and juice them by hand. A single grapefruit is good for a round of 4-5. I use this stainless steel juicer—it’s cheap and it works well.

I keep my grapefruit juice in the fridge in a covered glass mason jar. It’s usually good for about 7 days if kept refrigerated.

Best Bourbon to Use for Cocktails

I love bourbon because there are SO MANY great options out there at the $25-$35 price point. My evergrowing list of favorite budget-friendly bourbons are:

Buffalo Trace
Larceny
Elijah Craig
Michter’s
Henry McKenna Single Barrel
Four Roses Single Barrel
Woodford Reserve
Eagle Rare
Knob Creek
Maker’s Mark

How to Make Honey Syrup in the Microwave

Heat 1/2 cup of water in the microwave for 45 seconds until warm. Stir in 1/2 cup of honey until fully dissolved and golden brown. The proper consistency is a little thicker than water when at room temp.

You can make in a saucepan on the stove if making larger amounts, it’s just extra work and not always necessary. If you do go the stovetop route, just be sure not to boil or simmer the water. It only needs to be warm enough to dissolve/mix in the honey.