The Actual Kentucky Derby® Mint Julep And Other Derby-Inspired Sips

Not sure what to sip on as you anxiously watch “the most exciting two minutes in sports” unfold? Here’s a few fun twists on the traditional sip, a mint julep.

Woodford Reserve® 2018 Kentucky Derby® $1000 Mint Julep: (The actual julep served at the derby!)

Slow & Low Julep. (Courtesy Photo)

2 oz. Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon

1 tsp Woodford County, Kentucky, Sorghum Simple Syrup

2 Leaves of Kentucky Colonel Mint

3 Spray Red Roses, for garnish

Sprig of Mint, for garnish

Single Rose Petal from the Garland of Roses (which is draped on the winning Derby horse), for garnish

Directions: Rub mint around the julep cup, expressing the essential oils. Add remaining ingredients and top with crushed ice made from limestone-filtered water sourced from the Woodford Reserve Distillery. Churn ingredients with a bar spoon distributing the flavor. Top with additional crushed ice and garnish.

Slow & Low Julep:

3 oz of Slow & Low Rye Whiskey

1/2 oz of Simple Syrup, Preferably Demerara

10 springs Mint (Reserve 1 sprig for garnish)

Crushed Ice

Directions: Muddle whiskey and mint in a mix glass. Add 1 large cube of ice. Stir, but not so much as to dilute – a baker’s dozen revolutions. Add liberal amounts of crushed ice to more than fill the tin cup. Fine strain contents of mix into a glass over crushed ice. Garnish with six mint leaves.

Rosé Cider Julep. (Courtesy Photo)

Rosé Cider Julep:

The Founder’s Reserve Packhorse Cocktail. (Courtesy Photo)

4-5 oz. Angry Orchard Rose Cider

.5 oz. Bourbon

.5 oz. Creme de Cassis

.5 oz. Simple Syrup

6-8 Mint Leaves

Directions: Muddle mint in the bottom of a Julep Tin. Add the rest of the ingredients and then fill the Julep Tin with crushed ice. Garnish with a lavish mint bouquet.

The Founder’s Reserve Packhorse Cocktail:

1 part The Glenlivet Founder’s Reserve

1 part Ginger Beer

Splash of Lemon Juice

Directions: Add Founder’s Reserve and lemon juice to a glass Top with ice and then pour in ginger beer.

Garland of Roses: (Created by Max Green)

1 oz. Templeton Rye

2 oz. Carpano Antica Formula

2 dash Scrappy’s Lime Bitters

Lemon Twist,for garnish

Directions: Add all ingredients to the mixing glass, stir and strain into a chilled coup, garnish with a lemon twist.