The Best Mint Julep Recipe for Derby Day, Summer Parties, and Pretending You Own a Porch
The Classic Mint Julep: A Bourbon Cocktail That Knows Exactly Who It Is There are cocktails that try too hard. And then there is the mint julep . A mint julep does not need smoke, foam, edible glitter, or a bartender wearing suspenders and explaining “mouthfeel” like he invented drinking. It is cold bourbon, fresh mint, a little sweetness, and enough crushed ice to make you feel like you are holding a tiny frosty monument to poor decisions. The mint julep is most famously associated with the Kentucky Derby, which runs on the first Saturday in May. The 2026 Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. And yes, the drink has earned its spot there. According to the Associated Press, more than 125,000 mint juleps are served during Derby weekend at Churchill Downs, and the cocktail’s Derby connection dates back to the 1930s, when it was served in commemorative cups attendees could keep. So if you are making one at home, do it right. Not...
