The Q Life

The Kentucky Derby is this Saturday (May 4), and when the masses descend on Churchill Downs in their finest Derby duds (and hats), they’ll be ordering Mint Juleps like crazy.

If you’re hosting a Derby party or are attending one, consider putting a spin on the classic cocktail with one of these five variations. Ingredients and instructions can be found through the links below. Cheers!

 

Orange Mint Julep:  For those who love a citrus twist!

Orange Mint Julep

With the Kentucky Derby happening this weekend, it only seemed logical to make a Mint Julep this week. An Orange Mint Julep to be exact! A traditional Mint Julep is basically mint and bourbon, with a little sweetener, served in a metal julep cup filled with crushed ice.

 

Champagne Julep:  For those who love the bubbly!

Champagne Julep Recipe | Bevvy

The Champagne Julep is a fairly simple, creative, and bubbly variation on the classic Mint Julep. While it doesn't differ too much from the original, this recipe employs champagne to mellow out the sugar and give the drink a bit of cosmopolitan elegance o...

 

Chocolate Mint Julep:  For those who enjoy a dessert cocktail!

Chocolate Mint Julep Cocktail Recipe

Twisting the classic mint julep idea just a bit, this variation substitutes crème de cacao for the sugar. It's a liqueur that's sweet enough to do the work of the sugar, while adding a chocolate flavor that pairs perfectly with both the vanilla-caramel bourbon notes and the fresh mint.

 

Sweet Tea Mint Julep:  Two southern classics collide with this drink recipe.

Sweet Tea Mint Juleps

Chill your glasses while the tea mixture chills. You can also shake the cocktail with ice before serving, but strain the ice before you pour.

 

Spicy Pineapple Mint Julep:  Jalapeno simple syrup gives this drink its kick, while the pineapple provides a mellow flavor.

Spicy Pineapple Mint Juleps

Today's recipe is inspired by a margarita Dan and I had once at a tequileria called the Mala Suerte ("bad luck"). It was made with spicy habanero infused tequila, grapefruit juice, and lime juice, and came with a sugar rim.

 

Erica Banas is a rock/classic rock blogger that loves the smell of old vinyl in the morning.

Erica Banas is a rock/classic rock news blogger who's well-versed in etiquette and extraordinarily nice. #TransRightsAreHumanRights