The hats, the horses and the mint juleps definitely define Derby Day. And, while you may love the mint julep as much as we do, you may be craving a different sort of cocktail. But what can you drink that is still occasion appropriate? You’re in luck, because we went to work finding some awesome alternatives that are just as delicious.
Here are five cocktails to try this Derby Day that aren’t the mint julep, but are still perfect for the occasion.
Kentucky Buck
Recipe courtesy of Beautiful Booze and Regatta Craft Mixers
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. bourbon
- ¾ oz. lemon juice
- ½ oz. simple syrup
- 1 strawberry
- Dash of Angostura bitters
- 3 oz. Regatta Craft Mixers ginger ale
- Strawberry or lemon slice for garnish
Directions:
Add the simple syrup and strawberry to a shaker. Muddle then add bourbon, lemon juice and angostura bitters. Shake and strain into highball glass and top with ginger ale. Garnish with strawberry or lemon slice.
Twin Spires Slushy
Recipe courtesy of Woodford Reserve
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 and powdered sugar for garnish
Directions:
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.
Cherries And Cream Julep
Recipe courtesy of Woodford Reserve
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon
- .5 oz of Cherry juice
- Half a vanilla bean pod
- 1 tsp. Powdered sugar
- Mint Sprig, cherry and vanilla bean for garnish
- Crushed ice
Directions:
In the julep cup, add .5 oz cherry juice. Add half a vanilla bean pod cut into small segments. Add 1 tsp. of powdered sugar. Muddle or mix together. Add crushed ice to 2/3 of the cup. Add 2 oz of Woodford Reserve. Top off the cup with crushed ice. Garnish with a mint sprig, real cherry, and vanilla bean pod.
Whiskey Smash
Recipe courtesy of The Glenlivet
Ingredients:
- 2 Parts The Glenlivet 14YO
- 3/4 Part simple syrup
- 3 Lemon wedges
- 4 Mint leaves
- Mint sprig for garnish
Directions:
Put your lemon in the shaker and muddle it. Then, add the rest of the ingredients and ice into a shaker. Shake until chilled. Double-strain into a glass. Add a mint sprig garnish. (Tip: Slap your mint
Woodford Spire
Recipe courtesy of Woodford Reserve
Ingredients:
- 1.5 parts Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- 2 parts lemonade
- 1 part cranberry juice
- Crushed Ice
- Lemon peel for a lemon twist for garnish
Directions:
In a glass mix Woodford Reserve, lemonade and cranberry juice with a bar spoon. Add liquid mixture into a copper cup, add crushed ice to the top of the glass and serve with a lemon twist.