7 creative julep recipes from Monin for the Kentucky Derby 2025

The official cocktail of the Kentucky Derby just got better.

This year, Monin is giving bartenders and home mixologists fresh ways to toast the track—think juicy mango, cozy brown sugar, herbaceous cucumber, and even floral notes like lavender and jasmine. These seven Derby-ready recipes are packed with flavor and perfectly balanced, made to shine whether you’re behind the bar or hosting the ultimate Derby Day at home.

Let’s raise a julep (or two!) to bourbon, creativity, and the most stylish race of the year.

Derby Hat Julep

Ingredients

• ¼ oz. Mango Syrup
• 1 pump(s) Mint Concentrated Flavor
• 1 pump(s) Cucumber Concentrated Flavor
• 1 ½ oz. Bourbon
• ½ oz. Fresh Lime Juice
• Garnish: Mint, Cucumber, Mango
• Glass: Julep Cup

Preparation

1. Fill serving glass full of ice.
2. Pour ingredients into mixing glass with 2/3 ice in order listed.
3. Cap, shake and strain into serving glass with ice.
4. Add garnish and serve.

Classic Mint Julep

Ingredients

• 2 oz. Bourbon
• ½ oz. Pure Cane Syrup
• 2 pumps Mint Concentrated Flavor
• 1 cup Crushed Ice
• Garnish: Mint Sprig, Powdered Sugar
• Glass: Julep Cup

Preparation

1. Place ingredients into serving glass and muddle.
2. Add remaining ingredients and fill serving glass 1/2 full of crushed ice.
3. Stir to frost glass and top off with additional crushed ice.
4. Add garnish and serve.

Spiced Brown Sugar Julep

Ingredients

• 8 Mint Leaves
• ¾ oz. Spiced Brown Sugar Syrup
• 2 oz. Bourbon
• Garnish: Mint, Brown Sugar, Powdered Sugar
• Glass: Julep Cup

Preparation

1. Place ingredients into serving glass and muddle.
2. Add remaining ingredients and fill serving glass 1/2 full of crushed ice.
3. Stir to frost glass and top off with additional crushed ice.
4. Add garnish and serve.

Southern Peach Julep

Ingredients

• 2 oz. Premium Bourbon
• ½ oz. Peach Purée
• Garnish: Mint, Peach, Powdered Sugar
• Glass: Julep Cup

Preparation

1. Fill serving glass full of ice.
2. Pour ingredients into mixing tin in order listed.
3. Add ice from serving glass.
4. Cap, shake, and pour back into serving glass.
5. Add garnish and serve.

Lavender Julep

Ingredients

• Muddle 12 Mint Leaves
• 2 oz. Bourbon
• ½ oz. Lavender Syrup
• 2 dashes Bitters
• Garnish: Mint, Lavender Sprig
• Glass: Julep Cup

Preparation

1. Fill serving glass full of ice.
2. Place ingredients into bottom of mixing glass and muddle.
3. Fill mixing glass 2/3 full of ice and pour remaining ingredients in order listed.
4. Cap, and shake and strain into serving glass with ice.
5. Add garnish and serve.

Honey Jasmine Julep

Ingredients

• ¾ oz. Honey Jasmine Syrup
• 8 Mint Leaves
• 3 dashes Bitters
• 2 oz. Premium Bourbon
• 1 Lemon Wedge (squeeze and discard)
• Garnish: Mint Sprig, Powdered Sugar
• Glass: Julep Cup

Preparation

1. Fill serving glass full of ice.
2. Pour ingredients into mixing glass with 2/3 ice in order listed.
3. Cap, shake and strain into serving glass with ice.
4. Add garnish and serve.

Watermelon Bourbon Julep

Ingredients

• 1 oz. Watermelon Purée
• 6 Mint Leaves
• 2 oz. Bourbon
• Ice
• Sparkling Water
• Garnish: Watermelon, Lemon
• Glass: Mug

Preparation

1. Place Ingredients into bottom of serving glass and muddle.
2. Fill serving glass full of ice and pour remaining ingredients in order listed.
3. Stir gently to mix.
4. Add garnish and serve.