Last Updated on October 10, 2023 by Leah Hall
120,000+ Mint Juleps are served over 2 days of Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby weekend at Churchill Downs. But, here are more Kentucky Bourbon cocktail options that we think you will love! So read more to find out what drinks are served at the Kentucky Derby!
Derby Day is fast approaching! The Mint Julep Cocktail has been the signature drink of the Kentucky Derby for almost a century! But, if you want something different to sip, you can say “neigh” to a Mint Julep on Derby day. (See what I did there?!) The drink recipes below are other tasty options to imbibe at home while you cheer on your favorite horse, large fancy hat not required. So, you may be asking yourself what drinks are served at the Kentucky Derby? We are here to help you answer that question!
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As fans head to Kentucky, to watch in person “the Greatest Two Minutes in Sports,” may their bourbon cocktails in julep cups be strong! We can do the same at home at a Derby Party! And these Kentucky Derby drinks can work for not just the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness or even the Belmont Stakes, these can be served all year!
While the Mint Julep may be the official cocktail of the event, there are plenty of other cocktails sure to please! So keep reading for more!
Kentucky Derby Mint Julep Cocktail
We have a separate mint julep blog post, all about it, but the Julep has been promoted by Churchill Downs since 1938. The horse racing complex hosts the Kentucky Derby, and the drinks’ origin story began sometime during the 18th century. In the 1800s, the cocktail was also found with gin as the base liquor, but the use of bourbon has definitely overtaken the use of gin.
Now a Mint Julep is a race day staple, and so easy to make. This classic cocktail is just a combo of Kentucky bourbon, sugar or simple syrup, fresh mint leaves and crushed ice in a silver julep cup.
The drink has grown in popularity because of the two-day events at Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby, resulting in around 120,000 mint juleps made and served each year.
This mint and bourbon drink has been a Derby Day tradition for more than 80 years, so it’s obviously a must make party cocktail. But, that doesn’t mean it should be the only drink on your party menu.
How Much is the Most Expensive Drink at the Kentucky Derby?
Since 1999, Woodford Reserve Bourbon has been the only official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby and is in each mint julep served. If attending in person, you also have the opportunity to purchase an extra-premium mint julep for $1,000 each, and the proceeds support charitable causes for retired racehorses.
These pricey mint juleps are served in silver ($1,000) or gold cups ($2,500), and in 2023 will be honoring Secretariat, the horse that won the 1973 race. The Julep ingredients are Woodford Reserve Bourbon, handmade chestnut liqueur (for Secretariat’s chestnut coat), mint and Virginia bluebells (where Secretariat was born).
What Drinks Other than Mint Juleps are Served at the Kentucky Derby?
Mint Juleps aren’t the only cocktails sold at the Kentucky Derby, so we wanted to make sure you offer more for your Derby Day party. Finlandia Vodka is the official vodka sponsor of the Kentucky Derby, and Blue Moon is the official craft beer!
The horse race itself may only last a couple of minutes, but the party starts hours or days in advance and don’t end until long after the last horse finishes. If you are hosting a party but don’t want traditional Mint Juleps as your only cocktail option, we have you covered. There are Julep variations, bourbon drinks and Southern-inspired cocktails with bourbon and without! Saddle up, have a tasty beverage or two, and enjoy your day at the races, even if it’s from home!
In addition to the classic julep, we’ve put together some of the best bourbon cocktails (and some without) to serve at your Derby Day party. It’s May 6 in 2023, so mark your calendars!
Of course, Kentucky Derby parties are not complete without a cocktail, preferably with Bourbon! From the Mint Julep to the Finlandia Oaks Lily or Woodford Reserve Spire cocktail, Herradura Horseshoe Margarita as classic Kentucky Derby cocktails, we are offering you more options to make at home. Plus, there are great variations on a Mint Julep including ones with cranberry juice, lemon juice, honey syrup, triple sec, a lemon twist, sour mix or even ginger ale.
What is the Kentucky Derby?
The Kentucky Derby is a horse race that happens in Louisville, Kentucky each May at Churchill Downs. It is also referred to as the Run for the Roses, the Derby has a tradition of being the oldest sporting event in American history and brings out the fashionable crowd with fancy hats and fancy cocktails!
Derby Party Ideas and Decor
From roses to equestrian decor, the Kentucky Derby has a southern charm that is easy to replicate at home. We encourage silver, copper or gold serving dishes and cups. Horseshoe stir sticks (or make your own!) and even mini metal horseshoes for table decor. Here are some more ideas:
- Derby Photo Props
- Plastic Julep Cups
- Derby Paper Straws
- Horseshoe cocktail picks
- Horse Cocktail Picks (gold or silver)
- Personalized Napkins with Horse logo
- Black Glitter Horse Silhouette Cupcake Toppers
- Silver Julep Cups with straws
- Set of 4 Silver Julep Cups with Straws
- Derby Confetti
What Food to Serve at a Kentucky Derby Party
Millions of people all over the world tune in to watch the Kentucky Derby race, and if you want some tasty food ideas to serve with your cocktails, we have you covered there too!
- Bourbon Pecan Pie – Culinary Ginger
- Benedictine Dip – The Tipsy Housewife
- Pimento Cheese Sandwiches – The Suburban Soapbox
- Burgoo – Chili Pepper Madness
- Kentucky Fried Chicken – Swasthi’s Recipes
- Bourbon Pecans
- Ham & Cheese Biscuit Sandwiches – Seasoned Kitchen
- Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwich – House of Nash Eats
- Spoonbread – Once Upon a Chef
- Bourbon Shrimp Bisque – For the Perfect Bite
- Creamy Grits – Pinch Me, I’m Eating
- Southern Bourbon Peach Cobbler – Sweet Tea & Thyme
- Bourbon Meatballs – Dishes Delish
- Southern Deviled Eggs – Jessica Gavin
- Kentucky Bourbon Balls – Feast + West
- Mint Julep Cupcakes – If You Give a Blonde a Kitchen
- Bourbon Caramel Popcorn – Feast + West
- Kentucky Butter Cake – Immaculate Bites
- Blackberry Bourbon Shortcakes – A Spicy Perspective
- Bourbon Bacon Cinnamon Rolls
- Bourbon Cherries – perfect for garnishing those cocktails!
What is the Official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby?
Woodford Reserve. Perfect for the sometimes hot today the first Saturday of May.
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What Drinks are Served at the Kentucky Derby?
From the classic Kentucky Derby cocktails to new classics served at the horse race, this list will be a great resource to host your own Derby Party with lots of bourbon cocktails!
A celebration cocktail for the Kentucky Derby or anytime for a refreshing drink. This classic mint julep recipe is a tasty one! We made it even easier by using mint simple syrup or make with fresh mint and simple syrup!
This classic cocktail is simple to make with just 3 ingredients. Combining honey syrup, grapefruit juice and bourbon for a tasty sip!
Super simple 3 ingredient cocktail, this is light and perfect for Derby Day!
This bourbon smash cocktail is full of flavor from fresh peaches and basil for a lovely and refreshing sip!
This easy and refreshing sip is a twist on a classic Kentucky Mule with bourbon, lime juice, Angostura bitters and ginger beer!
Another name for a Horsefeather like the one above, this Quarter Horse Cocktail is sweeter because it uses Lime Cordial instead of fresh lime juice. A Kentucky Derby party classic.
If Derby Day is occuring on a hot day for you, may we recommend these Mint Julep Slushies? Perfect to cool off with!
This fun celebration recipe is made with the exact ingredients of a classic mint julep. Then topped with sparkling wine for a fun twist on the classic.
Bourbon, lemonade and cranberry juice combine for this refreshing sip in a julep cup. This light sip is perfect and is also a classic Kentucky Derby cocktail!
Bourbon and pomegranate juice combine with fresh mint and lemon juice for this simple sip. Topped with club soda, this one will be perfect for a crowd!
This light yet rich bourbon sour cocktail is flavored with peaches and garnished with a bourbon cherry! Perfect to cheer on your favorite horse!
This Skinny Mint Julep is sweetened with monkfruit. With a sweet tea base, this mint julep is refreshing and brings southern flavor to this cocktail!
This Black-Eyed Susan cocktail is the official drink of the Preakness, not the Kentucky Derby, but still perfect to sip on while watching. This one has vodka, elderflower liqueur and orange liqueur with some tropical juices!
A Kentucky Mule is a delicious Kentucky version of the classic cocktail. Subbing bourbon for the vodka, this is a great and easy bourbon drink.
This refreshing sip is a combo of Kentucky bourbon and watermelon juice for a pretty cocktail flavored with mint syrup!
This Rosemary Brown Derby is the perfect early summer cocktail! Fresh rosemary syrup with bourbon, grapefruit juice and lemon juice makes for a tart and refreshing addition to this Kentucky Derby Cocktails list!
If you are doing a brunch party for the Kentucky Derby, we have a great bourbon bloody recipe for you!
This julep is sweetened with some honey mint syrup. This version sounds like a great flavor twist!
These easy and refreshing cocktails will make it feel like you are at Churchill Downs itself! A combo of fresh peach syrup, lemon juice, bourbon and club soda, they are perfect for a Kentucky Derby Party!
If you want a non bourbon option for a julep, we recommend this mezcal version! The smoky mezcal combines well with brown sugar and fresh mint for a light and fresh sip!
These fresh Blackberry Mint Juleps are light and perfect for spring berries! Easy to make, and a fun dark pink color in those julep cups!
These Cherry Bourbon Smashes are easy to make! Sweetened with maple syrup, and mint added, they are fresh and perfect for Derby Day!
These Peach Juleps are perfect with fresh peaches. Just add some fresh mint and bourbon, and you have a lovely and fresh sip!
This Brown Sugar Old Fashioned is a rich but simple bourbon drink. Make the brown sugar syrup ahead of time, and you will be Derby Party ready quickly!
Combining southern favorites all into one cocktail, this sweet tea and julep combo is sweet and bourbon-y and perfect for a party!
With fresh peaches and mint, along with bourbon, this frosty beverage is a great sipper, and easy to make for a group just like traditional mint juleps!
This bourbon drink has added flavors from peach schnapps and topped with prosecco for a light and refreshing cocktail!
This Strawberry Julep is full of flavor from fresh summer berries and mint for a lovely bourbon drink perfect for drinking all year long!
This Apple Cider Bourbon Smash is more of a fall-y vibe, but we love the flavors in this, and think it's a must make!
This Blackberry and Sage Kentucky Mule is full of flavor from the freshberries and sage simple syrup. Combined with bourbon, fresh lime juice and ginger beer, this one is easy and so tasty!
Cherry Vanilla Bourbon Fizz is a great combo of vanilla bourbon, cherry juice and topped with ginger ale! A great and tasty cocktail!
These Berry Juleps are perfection in icy silver julep cups! Berries, mint and bourbon combine for a fun and colorful julep!
This Grapefruit Bourbon Sour cocktail is light and tart! Egg white plays well with the bourbon and fresh grapefruit juice!
This French 95 is a French 75 with bourbon instead of gin! A tasty and light cocktail perfect for a brunch Kentucky Derby party!
This Strawberry Mint Bourbon Smash is summer in a glass! Make bubbly with sparkling water, this fresh cocktail is a great accompaniment to traditional mint juleps!
This Chocolate Mint Julep Recipe is made with a rich Chocolate Mint Syrup! It's almost like a dessert cocktail, and a perfect bourbon drink for a Kentucky Derby party!
This Pomegranate and Peach Punch is made tasty with bourbon, lemons and ginger beer! Perfect for toasting!
This Rum Julep is made with super interesting ingredients and is so full of flavor! 3 rums combine for flavor in this one - plus some molasses for even darker and richer flavor!
This bourbon and cherry syrup cocktail is accompanied by lemon and orange juice for a lovely sip!
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