This Saturday (May 5) marks the 138th annual Kentucky Derby. Twenty of the world’s finest horses will take to the track in an effort to win the Derby’s coveted blanket of roses, and thousands of revelers will sip cocktails while cheering on their favorite contender at Churchill Downs.

Though the Mint Julep is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, it isn’t the only adult beverage race fans can enjoy. Here are 5 Kentucky Derby cocktail recipes to try out this weekend.

Mint Julep

2 cups water
2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup roughly chopped fresh mint leaves
32 fluid ounces Kentucky bourbon
8 sprigs fresh mint leaves for garnish

Combine water, sugar and chopped mint leaves in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat until the sugar is completely dissolved. Allow syrup to cool, approximately 1 hour. Pour syrup through a strainer to remove mint leaves.

Fill eight cups or frozen goblets with crushed ice and pour 4 ounces of bourbon and 1/4 cup mint syrup in each. (Proportions can be adjusted depending on each person's sweet tooth). Top each cup with a mint sprig and a straw. Trim straws to just barely protrude from the top of the cups. Serve juleps on a silver platter.

All Recipes

The Derby

1 ounce bourbon
1/2 ounce sweet vermouth
1/2 ounce orange curacao
3/4 ounce fresh lime juice

Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.  Garnish with a lime.

Cocktail Enthusiast

Kentucky Colonel

2 ounces bourbon
1/2 oz Benedictine
Crushed ice
Lemon peel

Stir bourbon and Benedictine with ice, then strain into a rocks glass over crushed ice. Garnish with a twist of lemon.

Cocktail Enthusiast

Lemon Ginger Tulep

3 Tablespoons ginger simple syrup (recipe follows)
6 to 8 fresh mint leaves, plus a sprig for garnish
1 cup lemon iced tea, “Pure Leaf” recommended
Cold club soda
Candied ginger, for garnish
Ginger Simple Syrup (makes 1½ cups)
½ cup fresh ginger, thinly sliced
½ cup sugar
1½ cups water

Simple Syrup: In a saucepan, combine ginger, sugar and water and bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove pan from heat and cool. Strain the syrup and refrigerate syrup. Good up to one week.

In an old-fashioned glass, muddle ginger simple syrup with mint leaves. Add ice and iced tea; stir well. Top with a splash of club soda and garnish with a slice of candied ginger and a sprig of mint.

To make a cocktail, add 1½ ounces Kentucky bourbon before adding the tea.

Lehigh Valley Live

Thoroughbred

2 ounces bourbon
1-1/2 ounces peach puree
1 ounce lemon juice
3 dashes Angostura bitters
Splash of soda
Crushed ice
Slice of candied ginger, for garnish (optional)

Pour ingredients one by one in a glass; add crushed ice and stir until outside of the glass is frosty. Makes 1 drink.

Yumsugar

Have fun on race day and be sure to drink responsibly!

Photo: Wikimedia