We’re celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Oaks Lily, created by our very own Lake Forest resident, Tim Laird!

The drink debuted at the 132nd Oaks Day in 2006.

We talked to Tim, America’s CEO, Chief Entertaining Officer, about how this drink came to be. At the time, he was working for Brown-Forman Beverages when Churchill Downs asked them to create a cocktail for the Oaks race. Everyone knew the Mint Julep was synonymous with the Kentucky Derby, but the Oaks did not have anything similar.

Laird said, “When I was creating it, the popular cocktail at the time was the Cosmopolitan. I started experimenting and adding enough cranberry juice to the vodka to make sure the color of the drink emulated the Stargazer lilies on the blanket of flowers given to the winner of the Oaks. That was the inspiration behind the drink. I hear it is almost rivaling the Mint Julep in sales now. It is one of those cocktails that appeals to everyone because it is refreshing, especially on a hot day. I get a smile on my face every time I see someone with an Oaks Lily in their hand.”

1 ounces Finlandia vodka

1 ounce lemonade (we prefer “Simply Fresh”)

3 ounces cranberry juice

Splash of triple sec

Squeeze of lime

3 blackberries for garnish

Add ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a tall glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with blackberries. Add a sipping straw and enjoy.

8 ounces Finlandia vodka

8 ounces lemonade

24 ounces of cranberry juice

½ ounce triple sec

Juice of ½  of a lime

24 blackberries for garnish

In a pitcher, combine ingredients and stir. Pour into tall glasses filled with crushed ice. Garnish with blackberries. Add sipping straws and enjoy.

Serves 8

Tip: This can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until serving time.

16 ounces Finlandia vodka

8 ounces lemonade

24 ounces of cranberry juice

1 ounce triple sec

Juice of 1 lime

24 ounces (2 12-ounce cans) lemon-lime soda or ginger ale

1 pint blackberries

Pour all ingredients into a punch bowl. Garnish with frozen blackberries and/or frozen ice block to keep chilled.

Serves: 15 – 20

Reprinted with permission from That’s Entertaining! with Tim Laird, America’s CEO - Chief

Entertaining Officer, Butler Books, 2010.