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The 8 Finest Mint Julep Variations


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 sport: The julep is a part of the household of cocktails often known 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 good, whether or not you’re spending a sunny afternoon watching the ponies or simply sitting inside watching it on TV, whereas, in fact, sporting a large hat.

Basil Julep
Basil Julep
Picture: Murray Corridor • Meals Styling: Jason Schreiber

Peppery basil and fruity Irish whiskey seamlessly stand in for mint and bourbon on this superbly balanced cousin to the traditional cocktail. Get the recipe >

Strawberry Moonshine Julep
Strawberry Moonshine Julep
Picture: Murray Corridor • Meals Styling: Jason Schreiber

The clear spirit, aka white whiskey, and peak-season fruit take heart stage on this summery tackle the normal drink. Get the recipe >

Cynar julep cocktail
Cynar julep cocktail
Picture: Murray Corridor • Meals Styling: Jason Schreiber

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 combination. Get the recipe >

Watermelon Julep
Watermelon Julep
Picture: Linda Xiao • Meals Styling: Jason Schreiber • Prop Styling: Summer season Moore

Home made 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 enduring drink. Get the recipe >

Mint Julep Recipe Featuring Bourbon
Mint Julep Recipe Featuring Bourbon
Belle Morizio

Searching for the O.G. mint julep? Look no additional than our model of the traditional three-ingredient cocktail, which mixes three components bourbon to at least one half mint-infused easy syrup. It’s sanctioned by the Kentucky Derby itself as its official mint julep recipe. Get the recipe >

Cachaca Rio Julep Cocktail
Cachaca Rio Julep Cocktail
Matt Taylor-Gross

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 >

Swedish Mint Julep
Swedish Mint Julep
Helen Rosner

Mint pulls double obligation on this cooling julep: recent leaves infuse the home made aquavit, and a sprig serves because the garnish. Get the recipe >

Cognac Julep
Cognac Julep
Michael Kraus

Legend has it that cognac was once the popular base spirit in a mint julep. The French brandy provides the cocktail a leathery, chocolaty richness and layered complexity that bourbon merely can’t compete with. Get the recipe >

Mint Julep Granita
Mint Julep Granita
Laura Sant

Take the beloved Kentucky drink to the subsequent stage 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 friends with a slushy frozen deal with three hours later. Get the recipe >

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