The Story Behind The Sparkling Rose Julep
There are a lot of ways to make a Julep.
The Kentucky Derby favorite reportedly made its first written appearance in "Travels of Four Years and a Half in the United States," an 1803 page-turner dedicated to then-president Thomas Jefferson. The drink became associated with the races in 1938, when it was sold in commemorative glassware at Churchill Downs on Derby Day.
A classic Mint Julep has a simple formula — whiskey, sugar, mint, muddle — making it suitable for riffing with different spirits and mixers. This version pairs Four Roses bourbon with dark rum, two types of bitters, rose water, and liqueur. A bubbly Cava float makes it particularly festive.
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More Bourbon Recipes To Explore
The Southern Knight Recipe:
With bourbon, ginger beer, and a touch of strawberry, the Southern Knight is an update to a recipe developed by New Orleans bartender Kent Westmoreland.
The Ancient Old Fashioned:
This bourbon Old Fashioned recipe features Hennessy Black and subtle sesame oil infusion. Learn how to fat-wash spirits and make this drink here!
The Bourbon Oreo Milkshake:
The perfect boozy milkshake for an indulgent Halloween. Who needs candy when you can have cookie treats mixed with bourbon and ice cream?
Stone Gate:
Islay Scotch, bourbon, caramel-rhubarb syrup, and lemon, grapefruit, and ginger juices come together for this stellar riff on the Penicillin.
The Revolver:
The Revolver is a riff on the Manhattan made with Bulleit bourbon, coffee liqueur, orange bitters, and flaming citrus oils. Check it out here.
The Low Blow, a Take on the Old Fashioned:
This is a tropical reimagining of an Old Fashioned, developed by Daniel Yang of Las Vegas’s Electra Cocktail Club.
