It’s off to the races this weekend at the Belmont Stakes! Will we witness history, as American Pharoah trotts for the first triple crown in 37 years? Whether history is made or not, one fact is a certainty… The Belmont race track is going to be the most crowded place on Long Island Saturday! Why watch the races with 90,000 people when the best view of all the excitement is in your own backyard? We’ve got you covered with classic Belmont cocktails, signature dishes and how to throw a Belmont Stakes viewing party without breaking the bank.
Set the Mood: using music, ambiance and sense of smell
The official song of the Belmont Stakes is New York, New York as sung by Frank Sinatra, not Jay-Z. Creating playlists all about New York is a great way to get friends and family in a fun and New York State of Mind (Pun intended). Luckily for us, there are a number of websites that already catalogue playlists like this. We found one using spotify.com and playlist.net that included over 11 hours of songs all about New York! If playlists and iPods are a little too high tech, pick out CD’s that will get people in the spirit of the race. Motown oldies are perfect for Summer entertaining. If music is only a background to people talking try music from the Harlem Renaissance like Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday or old time favorites from Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra. Remember, the key to a great soundtrack to a party is nostalgia!
Drape globe lights along the patio, over a pergola or along the fence for an inexpensive quick fix to creating a beautiful landscape. Line the entire backyard with small citronella candles in mason jars. Display them in ornamental fashion along food stations, cocktail tables and line the walkway to the outdoor theater. The candles serve as a decorative accent and will keep the bugs from biting.
If you have a fire pit, make sure to load up some wood and have extra wood and tools in a galvanized tub nearby to keep the fire going. Add some sage or citronella leaves to the fire to keep bugs away.
Pick up a few bails of hay at the local farmstand and throw blankets along the top of each one to act as seating for the big race and s’mores around the fire afterward.
Galvanized tubs are a cheap and extremely efficient replacement for displaying and keeping beverages cold. They also can double as seat side tables, foot rests… you name it!
Black and White is the official color scheme of the Belmont Stakes. Using black damask prints, polka-dots and stripes as accents, napkins or table runners will add a fancy and sophisticated look to an otherwise casual evening. Wrap glass vases, mason jars or votives in black lace on a white table cloth, for easy decorations that fit the nights main event.
The official flower which is draped on the winning horse at Belmont, is White Carnations. String these beauties up like garland and hang along trees, chairs or along the fence for a whimsical accent. If you have a pool, try inserting carnations into Styrofoam balls and floating them along the water. If you happen to have nice candle holders or antique silver cups, insert a few bunches of carnations into floral foam shaped into a circle and rest the flowers on its base. If this seems like a lot of work, a bouquet of carnations floating in a mason jar will look lovely too!
Print out a few cocktail menus, insert them in picture frames and position them around areas where people will migrate. Signature drinks from Belmont include the white carnation, the Belmont Jewel and the Belmont Breeze.
Signature Drink Recipes for The Belmont Stakes
Belmont Jewel: To make this refreshing gem, simply mix 1 ½ ounces of knob creek bourbon, 2 ounces of lemonade and 1 ounce of pomegranate juice together over ice and shake until the ice is nearly slush. Strain the drink into a rocks glass, over ice and garnish with a lemon, cherry or a sprig of mint.
White Carnation: Combine 2 ounces of vodka, a 1/2 ounce of peach schnapps and 2 ounces fresh orange juice into a shaker filled with ice and stir until blended. Strain and pour into a highball glass over ice. Top with club soda and a splash of heavy cream. Garnish with an orange slice or a white carnation.
Belmont Breeze: Combine 1 1/2 ounces bourbon whiskey, 1/2 ounce Dry Sack Medium Dry Sherry, 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice, 1/2 ounce simple syrup, Splash of orange juice, Splash of cranberry juice and 4 or 5 mint leaves into a shaker and shake it up until ice has become slushy. Strain the drink into a cocktail glass over ice and garnish with orange zest, a strawberry or a mint sprig for sophistication.
For more great ideas on how to put on the show for your guest, Visit our Pinterest Board for the Belmont Stakes