4 Kentucky Styled Derby Day Drinks

The Kentucky Derby—always celebrated on the first Saturday in May—might be the fastest two minutes in sports, but that doesn’t mean your revelry should end that soon. Feel like you’re in the crowd at Churchill Downs in Louisville by sipping on one of these revamped julep recipes from top mixologists across the country. Even if you aren’t donning a fierce fascinator during the Run for the Roses today, these refreshing cocktails are sure to make your soiree a winner.

The Mile High Julep

1 3/4 oz TINCUP American Whiskey
1/2 oz Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur
1/2 oz Ginger Syrup
1/4 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
6 to 8 Mint Leaves

Combine all ingredients in a Julep tin, including hand-clapped mint. Add crushed ice and churn until mixed thoroughly and the outside of the tin has frosted. Garnish with a large mint sprig and some sugar sprinkled over the mint and the ice.

And for the bourbon averse, a refreshing rum julep.

Cruzan® Hats Off Julep

2 parts Cruzan® Estate Diamond® Dark Rum
1⁄2 part Turbinado Simple Syrup*
Pinch of Mint
3 Blackberries
Crushed Ice

Muddle Mint and Berries in a julep cup. Add Cruzan® Estate Diamond® Dark Rum and Turbinado Simple Syrup (recipe below) and fill with crushed ice. Take a hePy bouquet of Mint and rinse with water, then sprinkle Mint with powdered sugar for garnish with 3 speared Blackberries.

Turbinado Syrup

8 parts water
8 parts Turbinado Sugar

Combine 8 parts Hot Water and 8 parts Turbinado sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Refrigerate. Will last for 30 days.

Silver Cup

1 3/4 oz TINCUP American Whiskey
1/2 oz Lustau Pedro Ximénez Sherry
1/4 oz Peach Street Distillers Peach Brandy
8 mint leaves

In a julep glass, muddle the mint leaves with the sherry, then add the rest of the spirits and pebble ice. Swizzle, then add more pebble ice (forming a mound) and three mint sprigs for garnish. Serve with a steel straw and a smile.

Try a bubbly take on the classic julep.

G.H.MUMM Mint Julep

2 parts G.H.MUMM Cordon Rouge
1 1/2 parts Absolut Citron Vodka
1 part Fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/2 part Simple syrup
1 finger pinch Fresh mint

Pour all ingredients, except G.H. MUMM Cordon Rouge, into a mixing glass.
Add ice, cover and shake vigorously for 7-8 seconds.
Pour G.H. MUMM Cordon Rouge into a chilled cocktail-martini glass and pour the cocktail over it.