The Seelbach Hotel
This Louisville treasure opened its doors 108 years ago, just in time to take in 1905’s influx of Kentucky Derby fans. In the century since, it’s gained a reputation not only for its old-world grandeur, but also for its amazing watering hole, the Old Seelbach Bar. Jerry Slater did two stints behind that bar before coming to Atlanta.
Until you can plan your own visit, we offer a gallery of vintage Seelbach postcards and, most importantly, the recipe for the Seelbach Cocktail, the hotel’s elegant signature drink.
1 oz. bourbon (Keep it in the city. Use Old Forester Signature, distilled at Brown-Forman in downtown Louisville, just a stone’s throw from Churchill Downs)
1/2 oz. Cointreau
7 dashes Angostura bitters
7 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
Champagne
Ice cubes
Stir ingredients briefly over ice, strain into a chilled flute, top with Champagne and garnish with a lemon twist.
Header image available in print from Shorpy
Vintage postcards from oldlouisville.com and stampcommunity
Seelbach cocktail photo from thehoochlife.com
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