NEWSMint Juleps And More: Bourbon Cocktails To Mix Up While Watching The Kentucky Derby
Must be 21+ older to consume alcohol. Please drink responsibly.
Place you bets! The 147th running of the Kentucky Derby, presented by Woodford Reserve, will take place on Saturday, May 1, in Louisville, Ky.
The Kentucky Derby, also known as "The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports," has been run at Churchill Downs racetrack since its inception in 1875. The field is open to 20 horses, who qualify for the race by earning points on the 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby. The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbreds at a distance of 1.25 miles.
The prize for 2021 race will be $3 million.
The 2021 race will be broadcast by NBC, with coverage by NBCSN of undercard races beginning at 12:30 p.m. EDT and main network coverage of pre-race activities starting at 2:30 p.m. EDT.
But let's be honest, for most of us the day is about dressing up and sipping bourbon. In addition to the Mint Julep, which is the signature cocktail of Derby Day, Woodford Reserve bourbon ambassador Michael Toscano has come up with a few spins on the classic and is shaking up three other boozy bourbon treats.
Check out the Derby Day cocktail recipes below.
Woodford Reserve Classic Mint Julep
Ingredients
- 2 oz. Woodford Reserve
- ½ oz. Simple Syrup
- 3 Fresh Mint Leaves
- Crushed Ice
Preparation
- Express the essential oils in the mint and rub them inside the glass.
- To the same glass, add simple syrup, bourbon and crushed ice.
- Stir.
- Garnish with more ice and fresh mint.
Mint Julep Ice Cream Float
Ingredients
- 2 scoops Vanilla or Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
- ¾ oz. Mint Honey Syrup (or Woodford Reserve Mint Simple Syrup)
- 1 ½ oz. Woodford Reserve Bourbon
- Q Kola
- Dark Chocolate for garnish
Preparation
- Scoop ice cream in tall glass.
- Pour syrup and bourbon over ice cream.
- Top with Q Kola.
- Garnish with a paper straw, large sprig of fresh mint and grated dark chocolate.
Kentucky Affogato
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz. Woodford Reserve Bourbon
- ½ oz. Woodford Reserve Mint Syrup
- 1 scoop Vanilla or Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
- Mint Leaves for garnish
Preparation
- Pour Woodford Reserve Bourbon into coupe glass (Optional: Warm bourbon and mint syrup together).
- Scoop ice cream into coupe glass.
- Pour warm mint syrup over ice cream to melt the ice cream.
- Garnish with a lavish mint bouquet.
*Can sip this cocktail as the ice cream melts or use a spoon to eat like a sweet treat.
Twin Spires Slushy
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz. Woodford Reserve Bourbon
- ½ oz. Simple Syrup
- ½ oz. White Crème De Cacao
- ¼ oz. Green Crème De Menthe
- Mint Leaves for garnish
- Powdered Sugar for garnish
Preparation
- Combine all ingredients except Green Crème De Menthe in a cocktail shaker.
- Shake to chill.
- Pour over crushed ice.
- Float Green Crème De Menthe on top of ice.
- Garnish with a lavish mint bouquet and powdered sugar.
