Derby Week in Louisville isn’t just about horses—it’s about history, spectacle, and this year, a standout bourbon cocktail to match the action on the Ohio River.
The Shepherd Insurance Great Steamboat Race returns on Wednesday, April 29, bringing one of Derby Week’s most beloved traditions back into full throttle. After sitting out last year due to repairs, the Belle of Louisville is back and looking to reclaim bragging rights against her longtime rival, the Belle of Cincinnati. The 14-mile showdown begins and ends at the Clark Memorial Bridge, where tradition, rivalry, and a little riverfront mischief collide.
But for bourbon lovers, there’s another reason to pay attention this year.
The Cocktail That Stole the Show
Ahead of the race, a tasting aboard the Belle crowned the official cocktail of 2026, and it’s built to stand up to the energy of Derby Week. Meet the Ohio River Rush—a vibrant, refreshing bourbon cocktail crafted with Brough Brothers Bourbon, the race’s official pour.
The winning recipe blends the following:
- Brough Brothers Bourbon
- Pineapple juice
- Blue Curaçao
- Lemon juice
- Simple syrup
- A splash of Sprite
- Garnished with a lemon slice
It’s bright, slightly tropical, and dangerously easy drinking; exactly the kind of cocktail you want in hand while watching paddlewheel giants battle it out on the river.
Victor Yarbrough, CEO of Brough Brothers Distillery, summed it up best: this event is a team sport, and the bourbon plays its part. This year, that role comes in the form of a cocktail designed to keep spirits high from boarding to the final horn.
Racing for the Antlers
On the water, the stakes are just as spirited. Each steamboat will carry judges to oversee the race, with the winner taking home the coveted 12-point Silver Antlers. With the Belle of Louisville returning to competition after last year’s absence, when the Mary M. Miller stepped in and claimed victory, the pressure is on.
As Kentucky Derby Festival President Matt Gibson noted, the unpredictability is part of the charm. Between the deep-rooted rivalry and the antics that often unfold mid-race, no outcome is guaranteed.
Where Bourbon Meets Tradition
Boarding begins at 4:30 p.m., with a 6 p.m. race start, and the celebration continues immediately after with the awards ceremony, cocktail in hand, of course.
For $200, a ticket aboard the Belle of Louisville doesn’t just get you a front-row seat to one of Derby Week’s most unique events, it puts you right in the middle of a floating bourbon experience, where heritage and hospitality meet on the Ohio River.
Because in Louisville, even the races come with a proper pour.
