The Kentucky Derby is quickly approaching and that means over 20,000 mint juleps will be served. A staple of the Kentucky Derby, juleps are the official drink of the race. Mint juleps have deep roots in history and have evolved over the years as illustrated in the classic cocktail book, “About How to Mix Drinks” By Jerry Thomas. The big race may very well be the fastest two minutes in sports, but there is always time for this refreshing spring-time beverage. Below are some tried-and-true julep recipes through the last century as shared by renowned cocktail expert and President of the Museum of the American Cocktail, Dale DeGroff. Make a julep cocktail this upcoming Saturday for the Kentucky Derby and let us know what you think.

MODERN MINT JULEP RECIPE’S (2000’S)
Georgia Peach Julep

Ingredients:
· 1.3 oz. Bulleit® Bourbon
· 2/3 oz. Peach Brandy
· 1 tsp. granulated sugar
· 5-6 mint leaves
· Peach slice
· Crushed ice
· Julep cup or rocks glass

Preparation: Muddle mint leaves, sugar, and splash of water in a julep cup or rocks glass. Add Bulleit Bourbon, peach brandy, splash of water, and fill cup with crushed ice (10-20% above rim of cup, like a snow cone) and stir. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and peach slice, add a small drinking straw, and serve with a napkin.

MINT JULEP Modern by Dale DeGroff

Ingredients:
· 1.3 oz Bulleit Bourbon
· 0.75 oz Simple syrup or a teaspoon sugar
· 4 Mint leaves and a sprig of Mint (Use tender, young sprigs- last longer and look better)

Preparation: Prepare some very cold very dry powdered ice with chunks of ice and a canvas ice bag. Bruise the mint leaves in the bottom of a julep cup with sugar syrup. Add ice to the three quarter mark and half of the bourbon. Stir to chill the julep cup. Top off with more powdered ice and the remaining bourbon and continue to stir until the outside of the cup begins to freeze. Garnish with the mint sprig and set aside to rest while the julep cup freezes over on the outside. Pick up carefully to imbibe

HISTORIC MINT JULEP RECIPES (1800’S)
MINT JULEP 1862 from How to Mix Drinks by Jerry Thomas * Adapted by Dale DeGroff

Ingredients:
· 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
· 2 Tablespoons water
· 3 sprigs fresh mint
· 1.3 oz Cognac
· 2 Dashes high quality rum

Preparation: Dissolve the sugar into the water in a tall glass or a silver chalice julep cup. Add the mint and press gently in the sugared water to extract the flavor; remove the sprigs and set aside for the garnish. Add the cognac and then fill with powdered ice. Place the mint into the drink stem side down and dash with the rum. Set the drink aside for five minutes to frost.

WHISKEY SMASH “A Smash is Julep on a small plan” Jerry Thomas 1862 * Adapted by Dale DeGroff

Ingredients:
· 1.3 oz Bulleit Bourbon
· 4 mint leaves and one sprig of mint
· Lemon wheel
· Cut a lemon in half then quarter and use three of the quarters in the drink
· 1-ounce simple syrup

Preparation: Muddle all ingredients except whiskey in a bar glass. Add whiskey and shake with ice. Strain into an ice filled rocks glass and garnish with a sprig of mint and a lemon wheel

Tags cocktails Juleps Juleps Drinks Kentucky Derby Cocktails Kentucy Derby