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
Urban Cowboy Lodge’s Hot Toddy:
Urban Cowboy Lodge's Hot Toddy elevates seasonal flavors like apple, winter citrus, cinnamon, and nutmeg. See the recipe here!
The Blackberry Bourbon Sour Recipe:
This cocktail reminds me of enjoying a summer pie and lemonade. The spiciness of the bourbon goes very well with the fresh blackberries and lemon juice.
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.
Cola Old Fashioned:
Why be forced to choose between cheering on your team and enjoying an easy Sunday morning when you can have both?
Blade and Bow Paper Plane:
It’s got more of a bittersweet flavor profile than the Last Word but shares a balance of sour, sweet, and herbal flavors.
The Gold Rush Recipe:
A modern riff on the Whiskey Sour, the Gold Rush is a sweet and citrusy cocktail developed at the now-shuttered NYC bar Milk & Honey.
