The final leg of the Triple Crown is upon us and while the race has a storied 146-year history, the official drink has not held the test of time quite like the third jewel.

Although the Belmont has been around the longest of the three races, it has undergone the most change when it comes to traditions – a continuously progressing marvel and spectacular day.

This year’s card is the second-richest day in all of North American racing. Ten of the 13 races are stakes races, with the $1.5-million Belmont Stakes headlining the six Grade 1 events.

Belmont Jewel

While the Kentucky Derby has always had its Mint Julep and the Preakness has the Black-Eyed Susan (recipe has changed, but the name had remained the same), the Belmont Stakes’ official drink - name and ingredients - has changed three times over the last 11 years.

In 2012, the official drink changed to what it is currently - the Belmont Jewel. Made with bourbon shaken with pomegranate and lemonade and garnished with maraschino cherry or lemon twist, the newest drink is not only easier to make than the former concoctions, but the ingredients are fresh and perfect for this glorious spring day at the races!

Belmont Jewel

Up until 1997, the White Carination - a splash of cream mixed with vodka, peach schnapps and orange juice - was the official Belmont Stakes drink. It was replaced in 1998 by the Belmont Breeze, coined by the head bartender at Manhattan’s Rainbow Room, Dale DeGroff.

Degroff went by the Colonial recipe for whiskey punch: "One of sour, two of sweet, three of strong, four of weak" to create the tasty concoction made of mint, orange, cranberry, bourbon and sherry. This switch up was said to have come up to help draw a younger crowd with a drink more suited to their tastes.

The drink change also happened in correspondence with the change of official theme song to “New York, New York” (1997-2009 & 2011-2012) from "The Sidewalks of New York” (1997 & prior). In 2010 “Empire State of Mind” was performed and this year the entertainment options will include LL Cool J, Frank Sinatra, Jr., musicians from West Point - The U.S. Military Academy, former New York Yankees great Bernie Williams Official and a performance from the Tony Award-winning Broadway WICKED The Musical will headline the New York-themed group. 

If you can’t make it out to the 2014 Belmont but you’re feeling adventurous and love history why not try all three from the comfort of your own home as you cheer the 2014 Belmont Stakes winner to victory?