This suave blend of bourbon, fresh grapefruit juice, and honey was invented at the Vendôme bar in Hollywood in 1930, though it was named for the iconic 20th-century Los Angeles restaurant, notes cocktail expert Dale DeGroff in The Craft of the Cocktail. If you’re into brunch cocktails, the Brown Derby is perfect: tart enough to wake up the palate, but not tangy enough to jolt you. The bourbon, naturally, softens the edges of even a harsh start to the day.
For more, check out our Whiskey Sour, Sazerac, and Vieux Carré.
- Yield: 1 drink
- Difficulty: Easy
- Total: Under 5 mins
- Active: Under 5 mins
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
- 1/2 ounce honey
- Lemon wedge, for garnishing
- Add a handful of ice cubes to a cocktail shaker. Add the bourbon, grapefruit juice, and honey.
- Shake until the cocktail shaker looks frosty, about 20 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, garnish with a lemon wedge, and serve.