This is the perfect follow-up cocktail to the Kentucky Derby Mint Julep as we prepare for the Preakness. The egg white adds a wonderful smoothness and body to this drink.

If you don’t have peach brandy on hand substitute with a creative liqueur of your choosing, but the peach goes really well with bourbon.

Bourbon-Peach Bramble Cocktail

Makes 2 strong drinks

3 oz good quality bourbon

1 oz peach brandy

Juice of ½ an orange

1 Tbsp coriander simple syrup (recipe below)

3 drops Angostura bitters

Pinch of salt

1 egg white

3 leaves fresh mint

Put two martini glasses in the freezer.

Add all ingredients except mint to a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously (no ice). Shaking before adding ice will help the egg white maximize its volume, producing a frothier drink (a tip we picked up from the bartender at The Inn at Willow Grove in Orange, Virginia).

Add cubed ice and mint and shake again.

Strain into the well-chilled martini glasses. Garnish with fresh mint sprig.

Coriander Simple Syrup

1 cup fresh water

1 cup sugar

1 Tbsp coriander (I use the dried seed pods from last year’s cilantro, hung for the winter in a cool dark spot, upside down in a paper bag)

Heat the sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until completely dissolved. Add coriander. Allow to steep and cool. Strain into a container and keep it in the fridge for up to a month.