It's Preakness Week in Baltimore! Make a Black Eyed Susan with Us!

It happens every year and this year is particularly special.  In Baltimore we will be celebrating the 150th running of the Preakness at Pimlico Race Track and this will be the final race at Pimlico as we know it before a major redesign.  Sovereignty the winner of the Derby is out, so it's looking like Journalism is the favorite.  And once again our favorite Baltimore Raven, past or present, Ray Lewis will be hosting the infield party. But before all the pageantry of Preakness at Old Hilltop, we celebrate Black Eyed Susan Day!

Black Eyed Susan Day takes the place the day before Preakness. It was inaugurated in 1919 as the Pimlico Oaks, but back in 1950 it was renamed to honor Maryland's state flower. It is known as the ultimate Ladies Day out in Baltimore, a day to celebrate Maryland, dress in your finest and of course that has to include a fabulous hat. The Black Eyed Susan cocktail became the official cocktail of the Preakness Stakes over 50 years ago in 1973.  And on Preakness day the winning horse will wear a beautiful blanket of Black Eyed Susans which apparently are really made by the Florists at Baltimore's Giant. But did you know they don't really use Black Eyed Susans because they're not in season yet? What? Mind blown! The actual flower is a Viking Mum or Viking Pom.

Whether you're heading to Black Eyed Susan Day or the Preakness Stakes or just enjoying from the comfort of your living room you can enjoy a Black Eyed Susan Cocktail.  The announcement of this new official cocktail of Baltimore's Preakness appeared in newspapers nationwide in 1975.  It was described as a pre-mixed "secret" cocktail of vodka and rum, the exact recipe not to be revealed.  Well 50 years later we can "Google It" and the recipe varies depending on where you look.  Rob Kasper, a writer for the Baltimore Sun has tried for many years to no avail to have the official drink replaced.  It seems like maybe we can do better. Something with Maryland Rye perhaps? No matter what the recipe, it's fruity, it's festive and if you don't like fruity drinks this one might not be for you!  This updated version made its debut at Baltimore's Pimlico in 1988.

6 ounces orange juice

1 ounce pink grapefruit juice

1 ounce pineapple juice

1/2 ounce vodka

1/2 ounce rum

1/2 ounce peach schnapps

Pour into a shaker with ice, shake it of course and strain over ice in a Collins glass. Garnish with an orange slice and cherry. Enjoy!

And if you're looking to share Moore Baltimore love with the perfect greeting that celebrates Preakness, well we have a card for that.