Each race in thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown boasts its own iconic beverage, and while the mint julep has established itself as one of America’s most recognizable sports cocktails over more than a century, the Preakness Stakes has crafted its own distinctive offering.
The Black-Eyed Susan, taking its name from Maryland’s state flower, first appeared at Pimlico Race Course in 1973. The drink was conceived by Harry Stevens, whose catering operation had been supplying refreshments at the Baltimore venue for years,
Stevens and his colleagues designed the cocktail with aesthetics in mind – they sought to capture the yellow and brown hues of the black-eyed Susan blossoms traditionally placed on each Preakness champion. The race, meanwhile, has dropped ‘extremely offensive’ song after more than 100 years
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The beverage also complements one of the area’s most cherished culinary offerings. Maryland crab cakes, a fixture at Pimlico, have been a weekend favorite for years, and the drink’s fruity notes balance the seafood’s richness perfectly…