The mint julep is the official cocktail of the Kentucky Derby. A timeless Southern classic, it's made with bourbon, mint, sugar, and water, and traditionally is served over heaps of crushed ice in a silver or pewter cup. It's a drink made to be savored on the first Saturday in May, as thoroughbreds thunder down the backstretch Churchill Downs’ backstretch. (Fun fact: nearly 120,000 mint juleps are sold each year during the Derby!)
All too often, however, juleps are cloyingly sweet with an overpowering minty punch — especially when made with pre-mixed syrups. Not wanting to miss out on Derby Day festivities, we set out to craft a more balanced take on this iconic cocktail. The solution was found in our Elderflower Lemon Mint cube from the Mixicles Floral Collection. The layered flavors in this botanical infusion elevate the julep, offering subtle floral and citrus notes that play beautifully with the bourbon, without drowning it in sugar.
As you sip your julep this Derby Day, remember that old Kentucky proverb: "Keep your friends close, and your bourbon closer." (Much closer, in some cases.)
Elderflower Mint Julep
Ingredients:
- 2 Elderflower Lemon Mint Mixicles® cubes
- 2 oz. bourbon
- Mint for garnish
-
Champagne or sparkling lemonade (optional)
How to Mix:
For the simplest version of this drink, put the Mixicles cubes in a julep cup, top with the bourbon, and garnish with fresh mint. To take it up a notch, muddle the cubes a bit before adding the bourbon and top with crushed ice. If you want to go fancy, lace with Champagne or sparkling lemonade. Now head to the winner's circle!