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.

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Grand Junction Mint Julep

Course Drinks

Keyword bourbon, mint, peach jam, raspberries

Ingredients

• 2 oz. Old Elk Slow Cut Blended Straight Bourbon
• 2 tbsps. Peach jam
• 2 whole Raspberries
• 10 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.

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The Filly Mint Julep

Course Drinks

Keyword bourbon, mint, Simple syrup

Ingredients

• 2 oz. Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon whiskey
• 1 barspoon Hand-crafted simple syrup
• 1 sprig Chocolate mint
• 1 spring Peppermint
• 1 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.

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Donerail

Course Drinks

Keyword black tea, bourbon, mint, Oleo saccharum syrup

Ingredients

• 1 ½ oz. Black tea-infused bourbon
• 1 ½ oz. Oleo saccharum
• 8-10 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.

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Jitterbug Julep

Course Drinks

Keyword bourbon, mint, raspberry liqueur, Simple syrup

Ingredients

• 6 to 7 Mint leaves
• ½ oz. Simple syrup
• ½ oz. Raspberry liqueur
• 1 ½ oz. Chicken Cock Small Batch Bourbon
• A 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.

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Peach Julep (Free Spirited)

Course Drinks

Keyword Angostura bitters, Lyre’s American Malt, mint, peach puree

Ingredients

• 2 oz. Lyre’s American Malt
• ½ oz. Monin peach puree
• 8-10 Mint leaves
• 2 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.