Neglect the horses, overlook the women in large hats—nothing says Kentucky Derby like a mint julep. It’s a superbly balanced cocktail: bourbon, mint, sugar, and gently melting ice, sturdy at first and (relying on how lengthy it takes you to drink it) sweetly sippable by the underside of the glass. However bourbon isn’t the one one that may play this recreation: The julep is a part of the household of cocktails referred to as smashes, the place mint and crushed ice mix with any variety of sweetening brokers and spirits.
The traditional julep won’t ever exit of fashion, however this Derby Day we’re planning to shake up one thing totally different. Listed below are eight variations on the unique—herb-spiked tipples that make nice use of moonshine, Irish whiskey, cognac, Cynar, and even recent fruit, together with grapefruit, strawberries, and watermelon—plus one recipe for the O.G. They’re all excellent, whether or not you’re spending a sunny afternoon watching the ponies or simply sitting inside watching it on TV, whereas, after all, sporting an enormous hat.
Peppery basil and fruity Irish whiskey seamlessly stand in for mint and bourbon on this fantastically balanced cousin to the traditional cocktail. Get the recipe >
The clear spirit, aka white whiskey, and peak-season fruit take middle stage on this summery tackle the normal drink. Get the recipe >
This recipe involves us from the celebrated bar Florería Atlántico in Buenos Aires. It retains the mint however swaps out the bourbon for Cynar, the bittersweet amaro constituted of artichokes, and provides grapefruit soda and recent lemon juice to the combo. Get the recipe >
Selfmade watermelon agua fresca is spiked with rum and Cointreau, then brightened with recent lime and orange juice and mint syrup on this vibrant variation on the long-lasting drink. Get the recipe >
Looking for the O.G. mint julep? Look no additional than our model of the traditional three-ingredient cocktail, which mixes three components bourbon to 1 half mint-infused easy syrup. It’s sanctioned by the Kentucky Derby itself as its official mint julep recipe. Get the recipe >
This pleasantly bitter tackle the mint julep will get its cues from Brazil, with the addition of wealthy, smoky, aged cachaça. Cynar and grapefruit bitters spherical out the drink. Get the recipe >
Mint pulls double obligation on this cooling julep: recent leaves infuse the do-it-yourself aquavit, and a sprig serves because the garnish. Get the recipe >
Legend has it that cognac was once the popular base spirit in a mint julep. The French brandy offers the cocktail a leathery, chocolaty richness and layered complexity that bourbon merely can’t compete with. Get the recipe >
Take the beloved Kentucky drink to the subsequent degree by turning it into an irresistible icy dessert. Stir collectively bourbon and a contact of mint-infused easy syrup with crème de menthe, stick the entire thing within the freezer, and shock your visitors with a slushy frozen deal with three hours later. Get the recipe >
