12 Perfect Cocktails To Enjoy At Kentucky Derby Viewing Parties

Forbes

01-05-2025

The Kentucky Derby is said to be the most riveting two minutes in all of sports.
This year's festivities, set to be held on Saturday, May 3, promise to have all the excitement and glamour of past years. While some will be lucky enough to don their fancy hats or fascinators and attend, many others will be gathering at homes and bars for viewing parties – and that demands cocktails in honor of the occasion.
The Seelbach Cocktail at the Old Seelbach Bar at The Seelbach Hilton Louisville.
In Louisville at the Old Seelbach Bar at The Seelbach Hilton Louisville, this Kentucky-inspired cocktail is served in a champagne flute, and has generous dashes of both Angostura and Peychaud's bitters, balanced with Korbel Champagne, a touch of Old Forester, and a zest of orange.
'Legend has it, The Seelbach Cocktail could be dated back to 1917, but more officially, it was recreated by a restaurant manager in 1995. While it's not traditionally a Derby drink, the Seelbach cocktail is our signature, and with the Derby's deep roots in Louisville, it fits right in with the classics. Now served daily in The Old Seelbach Bar, it evokes the Grand Days of Yesterday – fittingly, in the same year we celebrate the 100th anniversary of The Great Gatsby, which was inspired by a visit to the Seelbach itself," said Jeff Thompson, General Manager.
Keeper's Heart Mint Julep at O'Shaughnessy Distilling Co. Restaurant and Cocktail Bar in ... More Minneapolis.
At O'Shaughnessy Distilling Co. Restaurant and Cocktail Bar in Minneapolis, this is a cool Irish riff on a Southern classic.
The Keeper's Heart Mint Julep reimagines tradition and features Keeper's Heart Irish + Bourbon Cask Strength with lightly muddled mint and demerara syrup for depth and balance, all crowned with a snowcap of crushed ice.
"The peppery and herbal notes of the Irish whiskeys and the vanilla backbone of the bourbon pair perfectly with the refreshing taste of fresh mint. Sitting at 92 proof, Keeper's Heart Irish + Bourbon will ensure your julep won't over-dilute as you sip this classic cocktail on Derby Day!" said O'Shaughnessy Distilling Co. Beverage Manager, Tyler Newcomb.
Jitterbug at Circa 1856 in Bardstown, Kentucky.
At Circa 1856 in Bardstown, Kentucky, this cocktail is made with mint leaves, simple syrup, raspberry liqueur, and Chicken Cock Whiskey Small Batch and garnished with mint and a raspberry.
"With Spring in full bloom and Summer fast approaching a cocktail made with the fresh mint in the garden and the summer ripe raspberries is the perfect combination for a play on the classic mint julep. With the classic mint julep being known as the official drink of the KY Derby, what better way to give our guest a true KY experience than with a julep," said Barbie Mudd, Lead Spirit Specialist at Chicken Cock Whiskey.
The Carrot Ginger Mule at Lindens, located at Arlo SoHo.
The Carrot Ginger Mule at Lindens, located at Arlo SoHo in New York City, is a garden-inspired twist on the classic Mule—perfect for Derby Day sipping. It's made with fresh carrot and ginger, and topped with a house-made carrot 'bacon' strip, for a bold, earthy kick to a race day favorite.
"Our Carrot Ginger Mule has all the refreshing elements of a traditional mule with a modern twist. The subtle sweetness from carrot pairs perfectly with ginger, making for an outstanding soda cocktail to enjoy while watching the races," said Amanda Lee, Head Bartender.
The Thoroughbred at Elsie Rooftop in New York City.
The Thoroughbred at Elsie Rooftop in New York City is a modern southern spin on a Kentucky Derby classic. It's maade with bourbon, fresh mint, Bonne Maman peach preserves, peach oolong tea, Benedictine, rhubarb honey syrup, and lemon—for a heavy punch of game day glam.
"The inspiration behind The Thoroughbred was to take the feeling of a classic Southern Derby drink and give it a twist. We kept the bourbon and mint that everyone expects, and brought in Bonne Maman peach preserves, peach oolong tea, our house-made rhubarb honey syrup, and a touch of Benedictine to add more depth and brightness. It's still easygoing and refreshing, but with a few unexpected notes that make it perfect for Derby week," said Parker Boase, Co-Founder of Liquid Lab NYC & Beverage Partner at Elsie Rooftop.
Running Rose at Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. in Louisville.
Found at Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. in Louisville, this is a delicious twist on a Derby classic.
Running Rose begins with a traditional mint julep — made with Whiskey Thief bourbon, fresh mint, and crushed ice — but is then topped with a slow-melting rose of frozen hibiscus tea and Aperol.
"We wanted to honor tradition while offering a modern surprise — something both beautiful and unexpected. The frozen Aperol-hibiscus rose transforms the cocktail over time, just like the Derby transforms Louisville each spring," said Amy Fox, Head of Operations & Experiences, Whiskey Thief Louisville.
Dawn at the Downs at Rusty's Lakeside Pub in Glasgow, Kentucky.
Those who are based in Louisville continue to get in the spirit of Derby excitement year and after. It's an awesome two minutes that never loses its appeal.
"For those of us fortunate enough to be in the host city for the greatest two minutes in sports, Derby week in Kentucky is a stunner every year. The state is truly at its best. Beautiful things blooming with spring, beautiful people everywhere in beautiful hats, beautiful food and beverage as far as the eye can see. Mornings at the track (Churchill Downs) are a special part of the Derby tradition for locals. Dawn at the Downs is a chance for every day folks to watch morning workouts and see the Derby contenders up close and personal. I am not sure you can get up at the crack of dawn to go watch horses run without a beverage incentive," said Jennifer Brian, a spirits professional, self-proclaimed Cocktail Evangelist, co-founder and owner of craft cocktail company, Make & Muddle and author of the cocktail cookbook, The Classic Cocktail Revival (now available for presale).
Rusty's Lakeside Pub in Glasgow, Kentucky has Jennifer Brian's very favorite morning/brunch cocktail, aptly named Dawn at the Downs. 'The combination of bourbon (of course) with Make & Muddle's new 4 Tea Tonic (chamomile, calendula, and lemon balm with citrus and bergamot) and fresh citrus juice all topped with bubbles is the brunch beverage you didn't know you needed…until now! It makes those early mornings worth waking up for!'
Forbidden Julep at Sea Island in Sea Island, Georgia.
Created by the bar team at Sea Island (in Sea Island, Georgia), this cocktail is made with Forbidden Small Batch Select Bourbon, Blended Family Peach, Orange Honey Oleo, mint, and powdered sugar.
'The Mint Julep is not merely a drink; it is an heirloom of Southern gentility and a tradition as enduring as the Kentucky Derby itself. On May 3rd aboard the Sea Island Explorer, we honor that legacy with The Forbidden Julep — a distinguished blend of Forbidden Small Batch Select Bourbon, Blended Family Peach Liqueur, Orange Honey Oleo Saccharum, and freshly plucked mint. It is a sip fit for silken hats and seersucker suits, a spirited toast to the thrill, pageantry, and timeless elegance of the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby,' said Nic Wallace, Resort Bars and Spirits Manager at Sea Island.
Crowned in Gold at Monarch Rooftop in New York City.
Crowned in Gold is a gold-honey bourbon sour made with Woodford Reserve whiskey, Amaro Averna, ginger honey infused syrup, lemon, orange bitters with edible gold glitter rim. This cocktail, found at the Monarch Rooftop & Indoor Lounge in New York City, is perfect for adding glamour to a Kentucky Derby viewing party.
Derby Julep at Peck Slip Social in New York City.
On the menu at Peck Slip Social in New York City, this take on the Kentucky Derby classic mint julep, swaps in WhistlePig rye and uses house-made mint simple syrup while some cognac is added for some extra excitement. It's available the whole month of May. Beverage Director Jayden Mohun says: 'Our Derby Julep is a bold, elevated twist on the classic mint julep. We blend WhistlePig rye with cognac, a splash of fresh lemon juice, and our house-made mint simple syrup for a refreshing balance of spice, brightness, and herbal depth. It's smooth, layered, and perfect for sipping — whether it's Derby Day or just a nice spring day!
Bourbón y Bond at Casa Bond NoHo in New York City.
At Casa Bond NoHo in New York City, this take on the classic Mint Julep includes bourbon, agave syrup, muddled mint, and orange bitters.
Horsefeather at J. Rieger Distillery in Kansas City.
On the menu at J. Rieger Distillery in Kansas City, this whiskey-forward cocktail is found in their Tasting Room, Monogram Lounge, the Hey! Hey! Club, or inside the Instagram-friendly glass Atrium overlooking the garden.
'For this year's Kentucky Derby, if you're looking to switch things up from the traditional Mint Julep, try a Horsefeather instead. Come on, it's called a Horsefeather—clearly made for Derby Day. This bright, refreshing modern-classic highball combines Rieger Kansas City Whiskey with ginger beer and a few dashes of Angostura bitters. Add a generous sprig of mint on top to keep the Derby spirit alive. This is a true Midwest original that hails from Lawrence, and has earned its place as a Kansas City favorite with its bold, spicy, and citrus-forward appeal,' said Ryan Maybee, J. Rieger co-founder.