I lay no claim to competing with Martha Stewart or Rachael Ray so my hospitality tips for throwing a shindig for Saturday's Belmont Stakes are pretty meager with the exception that I did dig up the recipes for the "official" drinks of the Belmont, past and present.

The most important part of any party, at least for me, is the food. And that's where the Belmont stumps me. If we're talking the Preakness, it's pretty obvious. Crab cakes. A food associated with the Kentucky Derby is Benedectine dip. But for the Belmont, I suppose one could go with deli just as long as there's New York cheesecake.

Traditional cocktails for big horse races are ... well, traditional. The Derby has its Mint Julep and the Preakness its Black-eyed Susan. But what about the Belmont?
Well, according to About.com, the current official drink of the third jewel of the Triple Crown is the Belmont Breeze, at least since 1998. Before that, it was the White Carnation. Here are the recipes for both from About.com. As always, enjoy responsibly.

We were reminded that the Belmont Breeze was concocted by famous New York City mixologist Dale DeGroff.

White Carnation
Ingredients:
2 oz. Vodka
1/2 oz. Peach Schnapps
2 oz. Orange Juice
Soda
Splash of Cream
Crushed ice
Preparation:
Stir liquors and soda together and pour over ice in a highball glass. Splash cream over top then garnish with an orange slice.

Belmont Breeze
Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz. Seagrams 7 (I've also seen Jack Daniels suggested)
3/4 oz. Harveys Bristol Cream Sherry
1/2 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
1 oz. Simple Syrup
1 1/2 oz. Fresh Orange juice
1 1/2 oz. Cranberry juice
1 oz. of soda
1 oz. of 7up
fresh strawberry
lemon wedge
(possible substitute 1 oz. of Sweet & Sour mix for the lemon juice and simple syrup)
Preparation:
Shake first 6 ingredients with ice and top with half 7up and half soda, approximately one ounce of each. Garnish with fresh strawberry, a mint sprig, and a lemon wedge.