Photo: SolStock (Getty Images)
The Kentucky Derby is extremely exciting. The problem is the whole race only lasts for a few minutes. That’s why the key to any Kentucky Derby party is to enjoy food and drinks before the race…and after. Otherwise, your window for enjoying bourbon and Hot Browns would literally only be for about 2 minutes.
You can go the usual route and mix up traditional mint juleps with bourbon, sugar, soda water, crushed ice, and mint leaves. Everyone at your party will be pretty happy with that. But you wouldn’t want your guests getting sick of the iconic Bluegrass State drink (as if you could). That’s why it’s smart to offer different Kentucky Derby-themed cocktails. Scroll on to get your drink on.
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Kentucky Derby Cocktails
Bourbon Thyme Julep
Ingredients:
2 parts Basil Hayden’s Bourbon 1 bar spoon simple syrup 1 dash Angostura bitters 6 fresh thyme sprigs (one for garnish)
Directions:
Muddle fresh thyme in a rocks glass. Combine remaining ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and stir until cold. Fine strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with a toasted thyme sprig.
Recipe by Frank Liotti (New York, NY)
Photo: Basil Hayden’s Bourbon
Ken-Tiki Derby Julep
Ingredients:
2 ounces G.H. Mumm Champagne 1 1/2 ounces Jameson Black Barrel 1/4 ounce pineapple syrup 1/2 ounce lime juice 4-5 mint leaves
Directions:
In a highball glass, combine mint, pineapple syrup, and lime juice. Gently muddle the ingredients and add in the Jameson Black Barrel Irish Whiskey. Top with crushed ice and light stir to combine to ingredients. Top with G.H. Mumm and add in more crushed ice. Dash 2-3 of Angostura bitters on top, and garnish with pineapple leaves and mint.
Recipe by G.H. Mumm Champagne
Photo: G.H. Mumm Champagne
Bourbon Peach Cobbler
Ingredients:
1 1/2 ounces bourbon ¼ ounce peach schnapps 2 ounces peach nectar 1 ounce unsweetened iced tea 1 dash peach bitters Peach slice garnish
Recipe by Churchill Downs
Photo: Churchill Downs
Cinco de Derby
Ingredients:
2 ounces G.H. Mumm Champagne 1 1/2 ounces Avion Blanco Tequila 1/2 ounce blackberry cinnamon syrup 1/2 ounce lime juice
Directions:
Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Shake to chill and strain into a rocks glass over ice. Top with G.H. Mumm and garnish with fresh mint, lime, and fresh grated cinnamon.
Recipe by G.H. Mumm Champagne
Photo: G.H. Mumm Champagne
Kentucky Mule
Ingredients:
1 1/2 ounces bourbon 3 ounces ginger beer Squeeze one lime wedge Lime wedge for garnish
Recipe by Churchill Downs
Photo: Churchill Downs
Sicilian Julep
Ingredients:
2 ounces Makers 46 3/4 ounce pistachio syrup Handful mint leaves Fresh bunch of spring mint Powdered sugar
Directions:
Mix all of the ingredients together with a swizzle. Add pebble ice. Shake and pour into a copper julep tin and serve with a classic julep straw.
Recipe by Here and Now in Los Angeles
Photo: Here and Now
Triple Crown
Ingredients:
2 ounces Buffalo Trace Bourbon 5 ounces Ambros Banana Whiskey 1/2 ounce Barbados rum 1/2 ounce cherry herring 1/4 ounce lemon 1/4 ounce simple 1 ounce pineapple juice 2 dashes Angostura bitters
Directions:
Shake and pour into a rocks glass with crushed ice and top with mint.
Recipe by Tanner Weston, Lead Bartender at Sorra in Hollywood, California
Photo: Sorra
Knob Creek Mint Julep
Ingredients:
1½ parts Knob Creek Bourbon 2 bunches mint 1 part simple syrup 1 splash soda
Directions:
Mix sprigs of mint with simple syrup and a splash of soda. Fill highball glass with fine crushed ice and pour in bourbon. Lift out and decorate with two mint leaves. Add powdered sugar over mint to add an optional frosted appearance.
Recipe by Knob Creek Bourbon
Photo: Knob Creek Bourbon