New Riff Distilling Shares Its Unique Mint Julep Recipe

The 148th running of the Kentucky Derby takes place on May 7 at Churchill Downs in Louisville. Even if you don't make it out you can still don some seersucker and a giant fascinator while downing a mint julep at home.

Don't know how to make a mint julep? No need to worry — New Riff Distilling in Bellevue has a fun take on the traditional drink.

Named Run for the Rye — wordplay on Run for the Roses, a nickname for the derby due to the fact the winning jockey receives a garland made of hundreds of roses — this julep mixes it up with a tropical twist instead of just simple syrup.

“Personally, I don’t usually like juleps because they’re too sweet," Katie Tobin, bar manager at The Aquifer at New Riff Distilling, tells CityBeat. "But this is a julep for non-believers! This recipe works great because the pineapple is a softer flavor against the spiciness of our rye, balanced with the fresh green flavor of the mint.”

Run for the Rye

• 2 oz. New Riff Kentucky straight rye
• .75 oz. pineapple syrup (store-bought or homemade)
• Handful of fresh mint
• Crushed ice

Instructions: Add all ingredients to a shaker tin filled with ice. Strain into a highball glass or copper julep cup over crushed ice and garnish with fresh mint.

And if you're looking for a straight-up, copper-cup, no-frills cocktail, Maker's Mark shared its mint julep recipe online.

Mint Julep

• 2 parts Maker's Mark Bourbon
• 1/2 part simple syrup
• Fresh mint leaves
  

Instructions: Add all mint and syrup to a julep cup. Gently muddle mint to express the oils. Add crushed ice. Pour Maker's Mark over (preferably crushed) ice. Stir and garnish with a mint sprig.

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