THE BELMONT RUBY

The Belmont Stakes is held every June. It is the final race of the Triple Crown, held at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. I'm not fond of watching the horses races, but I like to know who won and that no horse was injured. I saw the recipe for the latest official drink of the Belmont, named Belmont Jewel, but I like my version better. It is not made with bottled lemonade; it's made with fresh squeezed lemon juice (or pure organic lemon juice in a jar), a few dashes of lemon bitters, and contains a lot less sugar.  Come on, Rich Strike!

Here is a little trivia about the three races:
The name "furlong" dates back to early Anglo-Saxon times, it originally referred to the length of the furrow in one acre of ploughed (plowed USA) open field.

Kentucky Derby: 1 1/4 miles = 10 furlongs
The Preakness Stakes: 1 3/16 miles = 9 1/2 furlongs
The Belmont Stakes: 1 1/2 miles = 12 furlongs

One furlong = 1/8 mile

¼ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice or pure organic lemon juice, room temperature

1 T cane sugar or granulated sugar (you can also use Stevia Extract)

½ cup pomegranate juice

4 dashes lemon bitters or unflavored bitters

1 cup Maker’s Mark bourbon or your favorite bourbon

In a pitcher, stir together the lemon juice with the sugar, until sugar is dissolved.

Add the pomegranate juice, bitters, and bourbon.

Fill four glasses ¾ full with pounded or crushed ice.

Divide mixture between the four glasses.

Garnish with a twist of lemon.

Makes 4 drinks