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Mint Juleps
Mint Juleps
Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock.com

11 Mint Juleps to Drink on Derby Day and Beyond

Put a sprig on it

by China Riddle
View as Map
Mint Juleps
| Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock.com
by China Riddle

It’s finally May, the month of the Kentucky Derby and everyone’s favorite racetrack drink, the mint julep. Simple, classic, and refreshing all accurately describe it. There's muddled mint leaves, crushed ice, sugar, water, and bourbon. Served in a silver julep cup with a few sprigs of mint, the cocktail is the official drink of the Run for the Roses. It's also largely representative of Southern taste– sweet with a spicy kick.

Washingtonians are lucky enough to live in a city with some mint julep history, as Kentucky Senator Henry Clay famously introduced it to the Round Robin bar at the Willard Hotel. While many D.C. eateries will offer this drink as a Kentucky Derby special, the Round Robin and a host of other bars and restaurants almost always have it on the menu.

Sipping a julep is perfect for sunny afternoons on the patio this spring, even if it’s not done in a flamboyant hat. Try these mint juleps around D.C. not just on Derby Day, but nearly any day.

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BOURBON STEAK DC

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Named for the spirit classically used in the julep, chef Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak keeps it classic with bourbon or rye whiskey, mint, and sugar. Head to the Four Seasons and order it for $15 with the house spirit, or choose your favorite whiskey for a few extra bucks.

2800 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20007
(202) 944-2026
(202) 944-2026
Official

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Church & State

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Known for its signature pews and stained glass windows, Church & State offers a $12 classic julep made with Buffalo Trace bourbon.

1236 H Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
(202) 399-2323
(202) 399-2323
Facebook

Founding Farmers

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This Foggy Bottom staple will offer a Kentucky Derby drink menu for the entire week of May 2 to May 7. Offerings include a classic mint julep or peach julep for $10, and a $12 twist on Teddy Roosevelt’s famous julep recipe with Angostura bitters. This menu can also be found at its sister restaurant, Farmers Fishers Bakers.

1924 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 822-8783
(202) 822-8783
R. Lopez

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Lincoln

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Like its sister restaurant Teddy & the Bully Bar, Lincoln offers modern adaptations of classic American fare in an atmosphere inspired by Honest Abe. They keep it simple with their $12 julep, opting for Bulleit bourbon, mint syrup, crushed ice, and mint.

1110 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 386-9200
(202) 386-9200
Facebook

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Occidental

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While not always on the menu, diners can enjoy mint juleps at this historic downtown spot throughout the entire month of May. For a blast of refreshment, their juleps will be prepared as a frozen drink priced at $15.

1475 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 783-1475
(202) 783-1475
Facebook

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PX

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A “rebirth of the golden age,” PX serves craft cocktails in an upscale lounge that requires reservations and an equally upscale dress code. While not always on the menu, their take on the mint julep is called “Mint Juleps Are Kind of Annoying, Seriously Order This Instead.” This $16 sparking cocktail contains Belle Meade bourbon, mint water, citric acid, and Gruet sparkling wine.

728 King St, Alexandria, VA, 22314
(703) 299-8385
(703) 299-8385
Colleen B./Yelp

Rebellion DC

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Popular for its hearty and creative “Southern chow,” this DuPont Circle favorite shuns bourbon altogetherand offers a “Gin on Gin Julep.” Priced at $11, this cocktail mixes FEW barrel-aged gin, Hendrick’s, simplesyrup and mint leaves.

1836 18th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20019
Facebook

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Southern Efficiency

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The craft mint juleps at Derek Brown’s Shaw whiskey bar are so popular they’re on tap. There’sa classic Old Forester option for traditional palates, of course. However, more adventurous sippers will like the Champagne Julep with VS cognac, mint, bitters and bubbles, or the pineapple julep withpineapple infused rum, Don Ciccio, coffee liqueur, mint, and bitters. All draft juleps are $10.

1841 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 316-9396
(202) 316-9396
Josie S./Yelp

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Teddy & The Bully Bar

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Like its sister restaurant Teddy &; the Bully Bar, Lincoln is known for new American fare. This Theodore Roosevelt-themed eatery also provides a twist on the classic cocktail. Order ithe strawberry mint julep for $12 with Woodford mint fused bourbon, strawberry shrub, and fresh mint.

1200 19th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 872-8700
(202) 872-8700
Facebook

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The Round Robin Bar

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Famous for being the first to serve mint juleps in Washington, Round Robin’s luxurious bar will alwayshave this Southern classic ready for patrons. Its recipe goes beyond the typical ingredients by topping theMaker’s Mark-based cocktail with lemon zest and powdered sugar. Order it for $15.

1401 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
Official

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Vidalia

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A fine dining option for fans of Southern fare, Vidalia always has a mint julep on the menu. Using classic ingredients and Wild Turkey bourbon, this drink can be ordered for $10.

1990 M St NW, Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 659-1990
(202) 659-1990
R. Lopez

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BOURBON STEAK DC

2800 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20007

Named for the spirit classically used in the julep, chef Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak keeps it classic with bourbon or rye whiskey, mint, and sugar. Head to the Four Seasons and order it for $15 with the house spirit, or choose your favorite whiskey for a few extra bucks.

2800 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20007
(202) 944-2026
(202) 944-2026
Official

Church & State

1236 H Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Known for its signature pews and stained glass windows, Church & State offers a $12 classic julep made with Buffalo Trace bourbon.

1236 H Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
(202) 399-2323
(202) 399-2323
Facebook

Founding Farmers

1924 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20006

This Foggy Bottom staple will offer a Kentucky Derby drink menu for the entire week of May 2 to May 7. Offerings include a classic mint julep or peach julep for $10, and a $12 twist on Teddy Roosevelt’s famous julep recipe with Angostura bitters. This menu can also be found at its sister restaurant, Farmers Fishers Bakers.

1924 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 822-8783
(202) 822-8783
R. Lopez

Lincoln

1110 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20005

Like its sister restaurant Teddy & the Bully Bar, Lincoln offers modern adaptations of classic American fare in an atmosphere inspired by Honest Abe. They keep it simple with their $12 julep, opting for Bulleit bourbon, mint syrup, crushed ice, and mint.

1110 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 386-9200
(202) 386-9200
Facebook

Occidental

1475 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

While not always on the menu, diners can enjoy mint juleps at this historic downtown spot throughout the entire month of May. For a blast of refreshment, their juleps will be prepared as a frozen drink priced at $15.

1475 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 783-1475
(202) 783-1475
Facebook

PX

728 King St, Alexandria, VA, 22314

A “rebirth of the golden age,” PX serves craft cocktails in an upscale lounge that requires reservations and an equally upscale dress code. While not always on the menu, their take on the mint julep is called “Mint Juleps Are Kind of Annoying, Seriously Order This Instead.” This $16 sparking cocktail contains Belle Meade bourbon, mint water, citric acid, and Gruet sparkling wine.

728 King St, Alexandria, VA, 22314
(703) 299-8385
(703) 299-8385
Colleen B./Yelp

Rebellion DC

1836 18th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20019

Popular for its hearty and creative “Southern chow,” this DuPont Circle favorite shuns bourbon altogetherand offers a “Gin on Gin Julep.” Priced at $11, this cocktail mixes FEW barrel-aged gin, Hendrick’s, simplesyrup and mint leaves.

1836 18th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20019
Facebook

Southern Efficiency

1841 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

The craft mint juleps at Derek Brown’s Shaw whiskey bar are so popular they’re on tap. There’sa classic Old Forester option for traditional palates, of course. However, more adventurous sippers will like the Champagne Julep with VS cognac, mint, bitters and bubbles, or the pineapple julep withpineapple infused rum, Don Ciccio, coffee liqueur, mint, and bitters. All draft juleps are $10.

1841 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 316-9396
(202) 316-9396
Josie S./Yelp

Teddy & The Bully Bar

1200 19th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

Like its sister restaurant Teddy &; the Bully Bar, Lincoln is known for new American fare. This Theodore Roosevelt-themed eatery also provides a twist on the classic cocktail. Order ithe strawberry mint julep for $12 with Woodford mint fused bourbon, strawberry shrub, and fresh mint.

1200 19th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 872-8700
(202) 872-8700
Facebook

The Round Robin Bar

1401 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Famous for being the first to serve mint juleps in Washington, Round Robin’s luxurious bar will alwayshave this Southern classic ready for patrons. Its recipe goes beyond the typical ingredients by topping theMaker’s Mark-based cocktail with lemon zest and powdered sugar. Order it for $15.

1401 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
Official

Vidalia

1990 M St NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

A fine dining option for fans of Southern fare, Vidalia always has a mint julep on the menu. Using classic ingredients and Wild Turkey bourbon, this drink can be ordered for $10.

1990 M St NW, Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 659-1990
(202) 659-1990
R. Lopez

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