Each year for the Kentucky Derby Woodford Reserve creates a limited edition $1000 Mint Julep Cup for collectors. The proceeds are donated to a charity associated with helping those involved in horse racing. More info on this years $1000 Mint Julep Cup and charity.

If you didn’t get a cup, you can still enjoy the Kentucky Derby in style with these cocktails from Woodford Reserve.

Woodford Reserve Mint Julep

3-5 mint leaves
1 teaspoon powdered sugar
2 teaspoons water
2-2 ½ ounces Woodford Reserve Bourbon
crushed ice

Muddle (stir/gentle crush) four mint springs and sugar in the bottom of a julep glass. Add water and continue to muddle. Add Woodford Reserve Bourbon. Pack the julep glass with crushed ice. Add a mint spring for decoration and sipping straw.

If a metal julep cup is used, be sure to use a wooden muddler (bottom of a wooden spoon) instead of a metal spoon. This will eliminate the possibility of any metal shavings getting into the drink or scratching the julep cup.

Woodford Reserve Thoroughbred Punch

2 cups unsweetened tea
1 cup sugar
1 (12 oz.) can frozen orange juice
1 (12 oz.) can frozen limeade
7 cups water
23 ounces Woodford Reserve Bourbon

Mix all ingredients in large punch bowl. Ladle punch into a short glass over ice. Garnish with fresh orange wedge and a maraschino cherry. Makes one gallon of Woodford Reserve Thoroughbred Punch.

more derby drinks…

I had the pleasure to meet Wild Turkey Master Distiller Jimmy Russell at this past Fall’s Whiskeyfest in San Francisco. Jimmy is a true legend in bourbon distilling, having been at it for over 50 years (he started in 1954). One thing Jimmy has learned in his years is that the perfect cocktail for the Kentucky Derby is the Mint Julep.

With over 50 Derbies under his belt, Russell’s Julep has been precisely refined. He uses his higher proof of Wild Turkey 101, which produces a rich, deep and full taste.

Here’s Jimmy’s Julep recipe.

The 54 Julep

2 1/2 oz. Wild Turkey 101
3 sprigs of mint (six to eight mature-sized leaves)
1 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar
1/2 cup crushed ice

In a traditional silver julep cup or double-old fashioned glass, mull two sprigs of mint with the brown sugar and one ounce of Wild Turkey 101 for a few minutes, crushing the mint leaves with a spoon. Add the crushed ice, the rest of the bourbon, and garnish with sprig of mint.

Enjoy!

Wild Turkey Bourbon
more Kentucky Derby Cocktails
past Drink of the Week cocktails

Image via Wikipedia

Crown Royal participates in Derby Weekend by sponsoring the Crown Royal American Turf Stakes since 1995. The race, a 1¼-mile race for three-year-old horses, runs just prior to the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs.

Crown Royal created these race-inspired drinks, the Crown of Roses and the Royal Stretch, to celebrate the spirit of the sport. The Crown of Roses’ deep color is inspired by the garland of roses presented in victory circleto the winner of the Kentucky Derby.

The winning combination of Crown Royal, amaretto, pineapple and cranberry juices allows the Crown of Roses to marry notes of cinnamon with refreshing fruit sweetness, which is rounded out by the classic taste of Crown Royal whisky.

The Crown of Roses

1 oz. Crown Royal
½ oz. amaretto
1 oz. pineapple juice
¼ oz. cranberry juice
3 dashes Angostura bitters
Garnish with a maraschino cherry

Fill a cocktail shaker two-thirds full of ice and add all of the ingredients. Shake for approximately 15 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and add garnish.

The Royal Stretch is a refreshing drink alternative for race day. The blend of Crown Royal paired with brisk sparkling water and a hint of cherry juice is easy to make and satisfying.

Royal Stretch

1 ½ oz. Crown Royal
3 oz. sparkling water or club soda
Splash of cherry juice or grenadine

Serve over ice in a collins glass with mint leaf garnish.

more Kentucky Derby Cocktails
Drink Recipes Courtesy of Crown Royal Canadian Whisky

In preparation for the Kentucky Derby, I’ve created a cocktail named after the top contender — Regal Ransom.

This drink accentuates some of the bourbon’s undertones.

Mixing bourbon with a syrup of honey and pears brings out the spirit’s sweeter side.

The tea and lemon balance the sweetness and compliment the oaky qualities of the bourbon.

Overall, this cocktail lets the bourbon shine through while still giving you something light and refreshing.

The Regal Ransom
1 1/2 oz. bourbon (I used Eagle Rare. Want a stronger drink? Make it 2 oz.)
1 oz. honey-tea pear syrup (recipe below)
1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice

Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass.

Honey-Tea Pear Syrup (enough for four cocktails)
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup honey
1 pear, chopped (I used a Bosc pear)
1 bag black tea (I used Earl Grey)

Cook water, honey and pears together in a pot. When it comes to a boil, turn off and steep tea bag in the mixture for five minutes. Pour in container and refrigerate until needed. When used in a cocktail, strain out the pears. They are actually quite tasty, and perhaps you should consider putting them on top of ice cream.

With the Kentucky Derby coming up May 2, thoughts are turning to the mint julep. This cocktail has been the signature drink of Churchill Downs since 1938, when they started serving the mint julep in souvenir glasses for 75 cents each.

If you don’t think the word “julep” sounds particularly Southern, you’re right. The cocktail, known as “julab,” originated in Arabia centuries ago. Eventually, it made its way to the U.S. — with little changes along the way. The addition of bourbon is what really made the cocktail what it is today.

So as you prepare to enjoy Derby Day, here are some bourbon suggestions. Picking a bourbon is an important task.

You want a quality bourbon that mixes well and doesn’t break the bank. Oh, and of course it has to be from Kentucky.

Evan Williams Black Label Bourbon: For under $20, you won’t feel bad using it in a cocktail. However, don’t let the price tag fool you. It’s a very highly rated bourbon with a rich flavor that stands on its own.

Maker’s Mark: There’s a reason this is the go-to bourbon for cocktails. It mixes very well — the sweet and spicy notes go with a lot of mixers. Also, you can usually pick it up for around $20.

Buffalo Trace: This bourbon has the right amount of brown sugar flavor and oak to make a very balanced and truly Southern mint julep. You can generally pick this up for around $25.

Woodford Reserve: I think this is one of the best values out there in bourbon. It’s smooth with layered flavors. This one will make a mean mint julep and also please those who want their bourbon straight instead. Great for a party. Typically, you can find it around $30.

The official Kentucky Derby Site - News, Videos and Wagering
The Early Times Mint Julep - the Official Drink of the Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby Cocktails from Crown Royal
Our Mint Julep Recipe
7 things you should know about the Kentucky Derby
How read the racing form

Just in time for the derby, this involved, but oh so worth it Julep Recipe comes to us form the folks at Maker’s Mark. I think they know a bit about Mint Juleps.

The Perfect Mint Julep

1 liter Makers Mark
Lots of fresh spearmint
Distilled water
Granulated sugar
Powdered sugar

This recipe is involved but worth it. If you must skip # 1, mint extract can be purchased at the local grocery.

1. To prepare the mint extract, remove about 40 small mint leaves wash and place in a small mixing bowl. Cover with 3 ounces of Makers Mark. Allow the leaves to soak for 15 minutes. Then gather the leaves in a clean, soap-free piece of cotton cloth and vigorously wring the mint bundle over the bowl of whisky. Dip the bundle again and repeat the process several times. Then set aside.

2. To prepare the simple syrup, mix 1 cup of granulated sugar and one cup of water in a cooking pot. Heat to dissolve the sugar. Stir constantly so the sugar does not burn. Set aside to cool.
(more…)