Drink of the Week

This Saturday is my favorite holiday: Kentucky Derby Day. In keeping with a tradition set forth long ago by my grandmother, I'm decorating a big hat with lots of ribbon and flowers, mixing up a batch of strong mint juleps and hosting a garden party. Then, once the winning Derby horse is draped in roses, I'll lead my fellow revelers to the Kentucky Inn, where we'll drink Bourbon and 7-Ups ($3.25) and toast the Bluegrass State. A dark, smoky tavern in West Washington Park decorated with Denver Broncos cheerleader photos that span many decades -- and hairstyles -- as well as Colorado Avalanche paraphernalia and Pabst Blue Ribbon light fixtures, the Kentucky Inn pours the basics and pours them stiff. On a recent afternoon outing, my highball glass overflowed with Ten High Kentucky Straight Sour Mash Bourbon Whiskey and very little 7-Up. On Derby Day, the saloon always puts together a pool and airs the race on its big-screen TV; following "the greatest two minutes in sports," the stocked jukebox is fired back up so you can sing along with country classics such as Loretta Lynn's "Coal Miner's Daughter" and Hank Williams's "Your Cheatin' Heart" all night. If you're looking for me, I'll be the stumbling-drunk blonde in the gaudy hat.