Every spring and summer highlights the annual return of traditional sports tournament cocktails like the mint julep, Black-Eyed Susan, and Azalea, each telling its own unique tale. The mint julep, for instance, is synonymous with the Kentucky Derby, made with a divine combo of bourbon, mint, simple syrup, and ice.

Then there's the Black-Eyed Susan, a fruity bourbon concoction that appears during Maryland's Preakness Stakes. This cocktail pays tribute to the State flower and the flowery blanket that's elegantly draped over the winning racehorse.

The Azalea, boasting flavors of pineapple and lemon juice, grenadine, and vodka, or gin, is a staple during the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia. The drink, as sweet and tangy as the name suggests, owes its name to the pink flowers that beautify the golf course.

Cocktails like the Black-Eyed Susan, the Azalea, and the Oaks Lily, a vodka-and-cranberry-juice cocktail served at the Kentucky Oaks, announce the arrival of the tournament season. Everything from hospitality to fashion to food tends to take on a sports culture flare during this time, and these cocktails play a huge part in the season's atmosphere.

Indeed, sports culture isn’t limited to big-ticket events. Millions of people, for example, tuned in to watch the Kentucky Derby from their homes last year, mint julep in hand-emphasizing there’s no need to attend in-person to participate in the festivities.

Certain sports like tennis embrace the tradition of themed cocktails too. At the U.S. Open, a vodka, lemonade, and raspberry liqueur cocktail-affectionately named the Honey Deuce- takes center stage. The tournament’s signature, Grey Goose–sponsored cocktail, also features honeydew melon spheres, subtly resembling tennis balls. And at Wimbledon, spectators and fans enjoy the Pimm’s Cup, a delightful blend of Pimm’s No. 1 liqueur, lemonade, and citrus soda or ginger ale, complemented by cucumber, strawberries, and mint.

Even without tickets to these sporting events, you can be a part of the celebrations. These signature drinks have become event fixtures and are easily recreated at home, making you a key part of the scene regardless of where you are.

The Azalea, the beloved cocktail of golf's prestigious Masters Tournament, is straightforward, simple to batch for a crowd. The cocktail borrows its name from the vibrant pink-hued flowers that are integral to the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, the traditional host of the golf championship since 1934.

The sporty, potent Black Eyed Susan cocktail combines bourbon, peach schnapps, vodka, sour mix, and orange juice. It's linked to the Preakness Stakes horse race, and like Maryland’s state flower-also dubbed the Black-eyed Susan-the cocktail is often enjoyed during the event.

Finally, never to be outdone, the Mint Julep stands out as one of the best-known cocktails in sports, and for a good reason. This bourbon-based cocktail, the official drink of the Kentucky Derby since 1939, dates back to the year 900. A few ingredients are non-negotiable when creating this classic cocktail- muddled mint leaves, simple syrup, bourbon, and of course, a sprig of mint for garnish.

In conclusion, sports-inspired cocktails go beyond adding flavor to these events. They also offer a unique way of connecting and participating in the array of sports cultures that dot the sporting calendar. So, the next time an event is airing, whip up one of these cocktails and join in celebrating the legacy from your living room.