The Mint Julep and Other Derby Day Drinks
The Mint Julep has been the official Kentucky Derby Drink since 1939, with bartenders at Churchill Downs crafting over 120,000 during the two-day derby festivities. We love this classic for many reasons – not least that some Virginians used to start their day with it! – but it’s always fun to branch out and include other specialty drinks in your Derby Day festivities!
Below, we’re sharing our own spin on two iconic Derby drinks: the crisp, refreshing Mint Julep and the citrusy, whiskey-forward Brown Derby. Plus, we’re introducing an original creation, The Preakness — a refreshing cocktail that plays up herbal notes and hints of bitters, all crafted to highlight the complexity of our own whiskey. Whether you're donning a wide-brimmed hat or just tuning in for the thrill of the race, these three cocktails will have you sipping in style!
Mint Julep
Ingredients:
2 oz Brother Justus American Single Malt Whiskey
¼ oz simple syrup
8 fresh mint leaves
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Fresh mint sprig to garnish
To Make It:
In a Julep cup, muddle the mint leaves in the simple syrup.
Add the American Single Malt then pack the glass tightly with pebble ice. (Pro Tip: Try to use pebble ice over ice cubes, because the increased surface area of multiple pebbles cools your drink faster!)
Stir until the cup is frosted on the outside.
Top with more pebble ice to form an ice dome, and garnish with a fresh sprig of mint. (Pro Tip: Firmly slap the mint on the back of your hand before garnishing; this releases the oils to make it more aromatic!)
Level Up:
Instead of using regular simple syrup called for in a classic Mint Julep, make a mint simple syrup to enhance the flavor of your cocktail creation! Boil 2 ½ cups water, 2 ¾ cups granulated white sugar, ⅔ cup dark brown sugar, and 1 tsp pink salt, stirring until fully mixed. Reduce the temperature to simmer and stir in 3 tsps of dried peppermint and ¾ tsp dried spearmint, simmering for approximately 4 more minutes. Finally, strain the mixture, add a handful of fresh spearmint, and cover with a tight seal to refrigerate. Remove the spearmint after 30 minutes, and let the mint syrup fully cool before use.
Brown Derby
Ingredients
1 ½ oz Brother Justus American Single Malt
1 oz fresh grapefruit juice
½ oz honey simple
Grapefruit rind expression & grapefruit twist for garnish
How To Make It
To make the honey simple syrup, mix equal parts honey and hot water; stir until fully dissolved and cool before using.
Add the whiskey, grapefruit juice, and honey syrup into a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled.
Strain into a coupe glass, then express the oil from a grapefruit twist over the drink and use the twist to garnish.
The Preakness
Ingredients
1 ½ oz Brother Justus® Cold-Peated Whiskey
¾ oz Carpano Antica sweet vermouth
¼ oz Benedictine herbal liqueur
1 dash Angostura bitters
Lemon twist for garnish
How to Make It
Add the Cold-Peated Whiskey, vermouth, herbal liqueur, and bitters into a beaker with ice and stir until well-chilled and diluted.
Strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a lemon twist.
Pro tip: spray the lemon twist with the herbal liqueur to promote a holistic olfactory experience to enhance the balance of flavors!
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