Winning Cocktails We Think You’ll Love This Derby Season
The beginning of May is all about horse racing in Kentucky as all eyes are on Churchill Downs during the month’s first weekend, May 1-2. But the Kentucky Derby is about much more than just watching horses compete; it’s about fashion, culture and, of course, cocktails—lots of cocktails.
The mint julep is the official libation of the Kentucky Derby. Since 1938, though some may argue it became official in 1939, the Derby has claimed the cocktail as its own. Traditionally it’s made with two or three ounces of bourbon, simple syrup, a handful of fresh mint leaves and plenty of crushed ice.
The muddling of the mint leaves with the simple syrup to release some of the oils from the leaves is the first step; then it’s time to to build up the drink with the bourbon and crushed ice. The vessel used for a mint julep is just as important; it’s customarily served in a metal cup—either silver or pewter—to keep it frosty cold and refreshing.
Over the two-day event more than 125,000 cups of the cocktail are served, and we have a feeling infinitely more are served at home. Although the cocktail has deep Kentuckian ties today, its roots stem from ancient times in the Middle East. The cocktail began, like many, with medicinal intent and was made with rose petals and water.
It’s said that the mint julep transitioned from being made with Persian rose petals to mint leaves—due to regional availability—when the drink made its way to the Mediterranean and then eventually hit colonial Virginia in the late 1700s to early 1800s. The American settlers made their mint juleps with rum or brandy. But once the concoction reached Kentucky, the liquor was swapped for its No. 1 choice, which was of course its local bourbon. The rest is history.
Except with cocktails, there’s always a twist; someone looking to shake up the status quo or add a little “stir” to what’s classic. And for this year’s derby, we’ve rounded up some twists to the classic Derby refresher that we think will tantalize your taste buds.
Miel Restaurant in Nashville, Tennessee, flips the script on the classic Derby drink for its own Iroquois Steeplechase race May 9 with the “Mint Julep Flip.” They’ve partnered with local distilleryBelle Meade Bourbon for its version made with the local bourbon, house-made mint simple syrup, fresh lemon juice, emulsified egg white, ice and fresh mint. Instead of the classic julep cup, this one is served in a Nick and Nora.
Nashville is also home to an amped-up version of the julep, the “Julep Joe” at The Sun Room signature bar and lounge in the Drift hotel. This coffee cocktail features the classic mint and bourbon paired with coffee and mocha for an added jolt and the classic chocolate-mint pairing.
Want to go NA this Derby? That’s no problem at the Thoroughbred Club at The Charleston Place in Charleston, South Carolina. It riffs the flavors of a traditional mint julep using either a nonalcoholic bourbon or strongly brewed black iced tea with mint, simple syrup, crushed ice and the hero ingredient—aromatic or peach bitters. The bitters really help to give this zero-proof cocktail some depth, especially if iced tea is used.
The Sal Y Mar Rooftop Bar & Events Venue in Tampa, Florida, is adding a little tropical touch to the mint julep. Its pineapple coconut mint julep keeps the classic elements but adds pineapple juice, coconut water and a pineapple garnish for a beach-meets-Derby type of cocktail.
Hemlock restaurant and bar, a newer Boise, Idaho, steakhouse located at the Inn at 500 Capitol, offers “The Blackwood Julep.” And as steakhouses would, it adds some depth and richness to the classic cocktail. While keeping the bourbon, mint and crushed ice, of course, it jazzes up the drink with demerara sugar, a touch of amaro, black walnut bitters and an orange peel finish.
So saddle up and get ready to enjoy a little more excitement than you may have anticipated this Derby season.
