Five Takes on The Mint Julep
The 151st Kentucky Derby takes place on May 3, which means it’s time for betting on horses, wearing fancy hats, and of course, drinking Mint Juleps. We love the traditional cocktail, but creative riffs on the classic are fun too.
For instance, some Juleps use unique ingredients from black tea to peach jam to raspberry liqueur, while Woodford Reserve’s recipe this year features three mint varieties to honor the Derby’s three winning fillies. Here are five we like for the 2025 Derby.
Grand Junction Mint Julep
Ingredients
2 oz. Old Elk Slow Cut Blended Straight Bourbon2 tbsps. Peach jam2 whole Raspberries10 to 12 Mint leaves
Instructions
Place mint leaves in a Julep cup and muddle with jam and raspberries.
Add bourbon and crushed ice.
Garnish with fresh raspberries and a mint sprig.
Notes
The mixologists at Old Elk created this recipe.
The Filly Mint Julep
Ingredients
2 oz. Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon whiskey1 barspoon Hand-crafted simple syrup1 sprig Chocolate mint1 spring Peppermint1 spring Spearmint
Instructions
Mix bourbon and syrup in a Julep cup.
Fill cup with crushed ice.
Garnish with three springs of mint.
Notes
The mixologists at Woodford Reserve created this recipe.
Donerail
Ingredients
1 ½ oz. Black tea-infused bourbon1 ½ oz. Oleo saccharum8-10 Mint leaves
Instructions
Add all ingredients to mixing glass.
Add ice and stir till chilled.
Strain into Julep cup over fresh pebble ice.
Garnish with lemon wedge or mint bouquet.
Notes
The mixologists at NuLu at the Tempo by Hilton Louisville Downtown created this recipe; Donerail refers to the 1913 winner – the biggest long-shot victory in Kentucky Derby history.
Jitterbug Julep
Ingredients
6 to 7 Mint leaves½ oz. Simple syrup½ oz. Raspberry liqueur1 ½ oz. Chicken Cock Small Batch BourbonA raspberry for garnish
Instructions
Muddle mint leaves in a mason jar to release their oils, then discard.
Add simple syrup, raspberry liqueur and bourbon.
Fill the jar to the rim with crushed ice.
Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and a raspberry.
Notes
The mixologists at Chicken Cock Whiskey created this recipe.
Peach Julep (Free Spirited)
Ingredients
2 oz. Lyre’s American Malt½ oz. Monin peach puree8-10 Mint leaves2 drops Angostura bitters
Instructions
Add mint leaves and peach puree Julep cup.
Muddle mint leaves and puree.
Fill cup halfway with pebble ice.
Add Lyre’s American Malt.
Stir gently until ingredients are combined and glass is well chilled.
Fill serving vessel to top with pebble ice, forming a slight mound.
Add two drops Angostura bitters.
Garnish with peach slice or mint sprig.
Notes
The mixologists at NuLu at the Tempo by Hilton Louisville Downtown created this recipe; to make it spirited, replace the 2 oz. of Lyre’s American Malt with 1 ½ oz. Maker’s Mark bourbon.
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