Thoroughbred Cocktails for Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby rears its head again this Saturday and while you don your big hats and seersucker suits, it’s only appropriate for you to be sipping on something equally classy. Whether your a fan of the standard cocktail of the day, the Mint Julep, or you’re hankering for something else, we’ve got plenty of options that will fit right in. Cheers, and may the best horse win!

The Mile High Julep (Courtesy of Shawn Chen, RedFarm’s Decoy)
1-3/4 oz TINCUP American Whiskey
1/2 oz Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur
1/2 oz Ginger Syrup
1/4 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
6 to 8 Mint Leaves

Combine all ingredients in a Julep tin, including hand-clapped mint.  Add crushed ice and churn until mixed thoroughly and the outside of the tin has frosted. Garnish with a large mint sprig and some sugar sprinkled over the mint and the ice.

Summertime Julep (Courtesy of Morgan Schick, Wild Turkey)
1 1/2 oz. Wild Turkey 101
1/4 oz. Herb Syrup* (thyme, marjoram, sage, parsley, black pepper, rosemary, chervil)
2 Dashes of Orange Bitters
*1 Cup of water and 1/2 lb sugar – heat until sugar is dissolved
*Add 1/4 Cup of Thyme
*1/4 Cup of Marjoram
*1/4 Cup of Mint
*1/8 Cup of Tarragon
*1 Tbsp Black Peppercorn

To create herb syrup bring ingredients to boil. Remove from heat and cover. Let steep for 30 minutes. Strain. For cocktail, build in glass and fill with crushed ice. Garnish liberally with fresh herbs.

The Jimmy Julep (Courtesy of Wild Turkey)
2 1/2 oz. Wild Turkey 101
3 sprigs of mint (six to eight mature-sized leaves)
1 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar
1/2 cup crushed ice

In a traditional silver julep cup or double-old fashioned glass, muddle two sprigs of mint with the brown sugar and one ounce of Wild Turkey 101 for a few minutes, crushing the mint leaves with a spoon. Add the crushed ice, the remaining bourbon, and garnish with sprig of mint. Enjoy!

Maker’s Mark Strawberry Julep (Courtesy of Maker’s Mark)
2 parts Maker’s Mark Bourbon
2 fresh strawberries
1 part simple syrup*
6 mint leaves
1 part fresh lemon juice

Muddle strawberries, mint leaves and simple syrup in mixing glass. Add Maker’s Mark and lemon juice and fill with ice. Shake well and double strain into a martini glass. *To create simple syrup, combine 1 cup granulated sugar with 1 cup distilled water.

Blackberry Mint Julep Margarita (Courtesy of Milagro Tequila)
2 parts Milagro Anejo
1 part Lime Juice
1 part Honey Syrup
5 Blackberries
6 Mint Leaves

Muddle berries and mint. Add rest, shake and strain over ice in julep glass. Garnish with blackberries and mint sprig.

Spring Reviver (Courtesy of Solerno Liqueur)
1 oz. Rhubarb Tea
1 oz. Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur
1 oz. Lillet Rosé
.75 oz. fresh lemon juice
3 dashes Absinthe

Shake ingredients with ice and fine strain into a chilled coupe glass, garnish with a strawberry slice and a mint sprig or an edible flower.

The Tullamore Dewlep (Courtesy of Tullamore D.E.W.)
2 oz Tullamore D.E.W. Original
½ oz white vanilla sugar syrup
Dash peach bitters
12 mint leaves

Pour all ingredients into a cup. Gently muddle mint, fill with crushed ice and stir gently to combine garnish with a sprig of mint and straw (Requires use of Julep cup for maximum impact)

Fort Julep (Courtesy of Joaquin Simo, Pouring Ribbons)
2 oz Lillet Rosé
1/2 oz Green Chartreuse

Rub 2-3 mint leaves inside of julep cup, then discard leaves. Add Chartreuse & Lillet Rosé, fill midway with crushed ice, swizzle or stir to agitate and incorporate, then add more crushed ice. Top with spanked mint sprigs.

The Village Pourhouse Mint Julep (Courtesy of Village Pourhouse)
Mint Sprigs
2.5 oz. Makers Mark Kentucky Bourbon
1 tsp powdered sugar
2 tsp water

In a collins glass, dissolve the sugar in a splash of water. Fill glass with crushed ice and Maker’s Mark Kentucky Bourbon. Stir contents until the glass becomes frosty, adding more ice if necessary. Garnish with sprigs of mint.

Julep Al Fresco (Courtesy of Jacquelyn Pobst, Doc Crow’s)
2 oz Four Roses Small Batch
¾ oz Spiced Melon Syrup*
8-10 Mint Leaves
Squeeze of Lime
Cucumber Water Ice Cubes**
*2 cups water
*2 cups sugar
*2 Serrano Peppers, seeds only
*¼ cup Honey Dew
*¼ cup Cucumber slices

Add all ingredients to shaker with water ice. Shake and strain into highball glass filled with cucumber ice cubes. Garnish with mint leaf. *To create syrup, heat water in saucepan and add sugar and stir to dissolve. Steep Serrano seeds and cool. Refrigerate overnight with melon balled honey dew and thin cut cucumber slices. **To create cucumber ice cubes, using a juice extractor, run through 4-6 cucumber, reserving the water. Freeze overnight in an ice cube tray.

Perfect Gentleman (Courtesy of Pergola)
2 oz. Buffalo Trace Bourbon
.5 oz. Carpanta Antica Sweet Vermouth
.5 oz. Cucumber-Rose Infused Dry Vermouth
1 dash Orange Bitters

Stir all ingredients in mixing glass. Strain into coupe. Garnish with Orange Rind Twist.

Horse Power (Courtesy of Mulberry Project)
1 oz. Spearmint Tea
3/4 o.z Home made Mint Syrup
1.5 oz. Rye Bulleit (you can also use Bourbon)
3 drops of Coriander Bitters

In a mixing glass combine all ingredients add Ice and stir until cold. Strain over crushed ice and garnish with mint.To make your own Mint syrup: Equal part hot water and granulated sugar. When sugar has dissolved drop a Mint bunch for 10 to 12 minutes and strain.

Blueberry Mint Julep Ice Pops (Courtesy of Andrea Correale)
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons frozen limeade concentrate
1/4 cup bourbon
1/2 cup blueberries

In a blender, combine the mint, water, sugar and limeade concentrate. Cover and blend until evenly combined and mint is blended into small pieces. Place blended mixture in a saucepan and bring to boiling, stirring to dissolve sugar completely. Remove from heat. Stir in the bourbon and whole blueberries until well combined. Pour mixture into ice pop molds and freeze overnight or until completely frozen. Serve!

For more Kentucky Derby cocktails, check out our round-up from last year.

Twisted Talk: Are you a fan of the mint julep? Which one will you be trying this weekend? Discuss below!