Kentucky Derby Party Drinks Ideas
Not off to the races? But still want to celebrate Kentucky Derby like a boss? Here are ten cocktails recipe ideas to get you going. Also, including in the list is the official Kentucky Derby Cocktail recipe.
Mint Julep
*Created by Jacquelyn Pobst, Bar Manager
Doc Crow’s, Louisville, Kentucky
2-3 oz Four Roses Yellow Label
2 tsp sugar
12 Mint leaves
Club Soda
Garnish: Mint sprigs and Orange slice
Gently crush mint leaves in a cool tall glass. (Lightly muddle the mint and sugar with a splash of soda water in a mixing glass.) Fill the glass with cracked ice. Add Four Roses, club soda and stir well. Garnish with a slice of orange and a few sprigs of mint, and serve.
Cruzan® Hats Off Julep
2 parts Cruzan® Estate Diamond® Dark Rum
1⁄2 part Turbinado Syrup*
Pinch of Mint
3 Blackberries
Crushed Ice
Directions: Muddle Mint and Berries in a julep cup. Add Cruzan® Estate Diamond® Dark Rum and Turbinado Syrup and fill with crushed ice. Take a hePy bouquet of Mint and rinse with water, then sprinkle Mint with powdered sugar for garnish with 3 speared Blackberries.
Turbinado Syrup Ingredients
8 parts water
8 parts Turbinado Sugar
Method:
Combine 8 parts Hot Water and 8 parts Turbinado sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Refrigerate. Will last for 30 days.
Basil Hayden’s® Jockey’s Julep
Created by Rob Floyd (Los Angeles, CA)
2 parts Basil Hayden's® Bourbon
8-10 Mint Leaves
8 Blueberries
1 part Fresh Lime Juice
3/4 parts Simple Syrup
Directions: Muddle mint leaves and blueberries in a mixing glass. Add remaining ingredients and shake over ice. Fine strain into a rocks glass with crushed ice. Garnish with blueberries and a sprig of mint.
Knob Creek® Storyville Julep
*Created by Bobby “G” Gleason, Beam Master Mixologist
1½ parts Knob Creek® Bourbon
½ part Thin Honey Syrup (3 parts honey, 2 parts water)
1½ parts Fresh Pressed Pineapple Juice
6 Fresh Mint Leaves
Club Soda
Directions: Muddle pineapple, honey syrup and mint in a tall highball glass. Fill with ice, add Knob Creek® Bourbon and stir top with club soda. Garnish with a pineapple clip and mint top.
Dobel Agave Julep
2 oz. Maestro Dobel Tequila
8 Fresh Mint Leaves
1 oz. agave syrup
1 oz. ginger ale
Directions: Pour into an iced mixing glass. Shake and strain into a rocks glass. Lime Wedge garnish.
William Wolf Banana Mint Julep
*Beware of wolves in thoroughbred’s clothing*
2 oz. William Wolf Pecan Bourbon
Fresh banana puree
¾ oz. simple syrup
¾ oz. fresh lime Juice
A handful of slapped mint and banana slice for garnish
Directions: In a rocks glass add ice and fresh banana puree. Add remaining ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake. Strain over ice. Garnish with slapped mint and banana slice and serve.
Tullamore Dewlep
2 oz Tullamore D.E.W. Original
½ oz white vanilla sugar syrup
Dash peach bitters
12 mint leaves
Directions: 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)
Greener Pastures
2 Parts VDKA 6100
¾ Part Lime Juice
½ Part Simple Syrup
½ Part Sweetened Kiwi Puree*
3 Fresh Basil Leaves
*One part simple syrup to four parts fresh kiwi puree.
Gently rub basil in a shaker with a muddler. Combine all remaining ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and shake until extremely cold. Strain into a sour glass over crushed ice. Garnish with kiwi slices and fresh basil. n
Blackberry Mint Julep Margarita
2 parts Milagro Anejo
1 part Lime Juice
1 part Honey Syrup
5 Blackberries
6 Mint Leaves
Directions: Muddle berries and mint. Add rest, shake and strain over ice in julep glass. Garnish with blackberries and mint sprig.
The Early Times Mint Julep
*The Official Cocktail of the Kentucky Derby*
2 ounces Early Times Kentucky Whisky
1 tbsp simple syrup (sugar and water at a 1:1 ratio and heated until combined)
6 mint sprigs
crushed ice
Directions: Muddle a few mint leaves in the bottom of your mint julep cup, then fill with crushed ice.Add one tablespoon of simple syrup and two ounces Early Times Kentucky whiskey. Stir gently until glass frosts. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig, sip and enjoy.
