23 Mint Julep Recipes for the Kentucky Derby
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The Kentucky Derby wouldn’t be the Kentucky Derby without one thing (aside from the thoroughbred horses and fancy hats, of course): the mint julep, which became the official drink of the annual event in 1938. And here’s a bit more trivia for you: As many as 120,000 mint juleps are served and gulped down at Churchill Downs over the Kentucky Derby weekend. That’s a lot of mint juleps!
This year, the Kentucky Derby is on Saturday, May 4 and if you’re watching from home — as most of us will be — there are plenty of mint julep recipes you can whip up right in your kitchen. In fact, we’ve found loads of tasty adult beverages (mocktails, too!) that’ll keep your party going all weekend. So throw on your derby hat, mix up one of these mint julep recipes in your silver julep cups, and let’s watch some horses race around a track for a while.
A version of this article was originally published in May 2016.
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Classic Mint Julep
This version is the classic for a reason — bourbon, mint, sugar, and ice are perfect for a hot day by the horse track.
Get the recipe from Slumber and Scones.
Virgin Strawberry Juleps
Looking for a non-alcoholic mint julep recipe? This strawberry mint julep mocktail has you covered.
Get the recipe from One Lovely Life.
Watermelon Mint Juleps
Homemade watermelon juice (blended and strained watermelon cubes) gives these mint juleps a summery, fruity twist.
Get the recipe from Spicy Southern Kitchen.
Coconut Milk Rum Julep
Creamy coconut milk is the star of these rum juleps. Sure, they take liberty with the original recipe, but the results are too delicious to care.
Get the recipe from With Spice.
Raspberry Mint Rum Julep
Not a fan of bourbon? Swap it out for spiced rum to make these raspberry mint juleps.
Get the recipe from Simplistically Living.
Muscovado Vanilla Mint Julep
The caramelized flavor of muscovado sugar along with real vanilla bean creates a fragrant syrup to sweeten your mint juleps. A squeeze of lime brightens each sip.
Get the recipe from Creative Culinary.
Spicy Thai Mint Julep
Spicy cocktails will put a kick in your step that some of the horses in the Derby could probably use! The bold combination of Thai chilis, mint, and Thai basil is tempered by simple syrup and, of course, a glug of Kentucky bourbon.
Get the recipe from Honestly Yum.
Passionfruit Mint Julep
Nothing wakes up a cocktail like fresh passionfruit, and it pairs particularly well with the bourbon and mint in this julep recipe.
Get the recipe from The G & M Kitchen.
Roasted Pineapple Rum Mint Julep
Here’s another non-traditional, but undeniably delicious, spin on the mint julep: a rum-based cocktail that features a brown sugar syrup and muddled roasted pineapple.
Get the recipe from Creative Culinary.
Double Mint Julep
Mint Juleps are meant to keep you cool when it’s hot and humid, and while the signature crushed ice of this cocktail helps in that department, doubling down on the cooling mint flavor via mint simple syrup, plenty of fresh muddled mint, and mint for garnish, will help you make it through even the most stubborn heat waves.
Get the recipe from Edible Inland Northwest.
Honey Basil Julep
If you’d rather be in Italy than Kentucky, try this honey basil julep. It’s just as refreshing as the original, but the basil flavor will totally transport you.
Get the recipe from Drinking with Chickens.
Mint Julep Punch
Churning out drinks one at a time can make what was supposed to be a fun derby party into a trigger for your carpal tunnel. Make a big batch of this fruity mint juelp punch, rounded out with lemonade, limeade, orange juice, and pinapple juice, instead.
Get the recipe from Pizzazzerie.
Mexican Julep
Here’s a fun twist on the julep — swap the bourbon for tequila, and the sugar for agave syrup.
Get the recipe from The Cocktail Project.
Matcha Mint Juleps
Matcha and mint are a match made in heaven, but they’re made even better when bourbon joins the party.
Get the recipe from Bojon Gourmet.
Mango Mint Julep
Mint juleps are supposed to be refreshing, and adding mango to the cockail makes it feel like something you’d sip to stay cool on a hot tropical day.
Get the recipe from Let’s Mingle.
The Elvis Julep
Here’s a really unique twist on the mint julep: a peanut butter and banana tribute to Elvis, made with peanut butter whiskey, banana liqueur, and vanilla bitters.
Get the recipe from Cocktail Contessa.
Blueberry Mint Juleps
Sure, we’re obsessed with the color of these blueberry mint juleps, but the flavor is the real star. That’s thanks to the homemade mint simple syrup and blueberry mint puree.
Get the recipe from How Sweet Eats.
Sweet Tea Mint Julep
Double down on southern tradition and turn sweet tea into a mint julep cocktail.
Get the recipe from Spicy Southern Kitchen.
Mint Julep Lemonade
Turning a mint julep into a refreshing lemonade makes so much sense.
Get the recipe from Hot Beauty Health.
Sparkling Blackberry Mint Julep
Blackberries, mint leaves, bourbon and Prosecco make for an unforgettable celebratory drink.
Get the recipe from Creative Culinary.
Lavender & Mint Julep
Lavender in a mint julep? Genius!
Get the recipe from Pizzazzerie.
Sage Julep
Someone got inventive when they replaced mint with sage.
Get the recipe from SheKnows.
Cucumber Julep
What makes this mint julep so refreshing? The fresh-squeezed cucumber juice and lime juice.
Get the recipe from Town & Country.
Mint Julep Recipes
