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The Round Robin's Jim Hewes
The Round Robin's Jim Hewes
Official

Where to Drink a Mint Julep on Derby Day (and Beyond)

Have some bourbon.

by Travis Mitchell
2 comments / new
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The Round Robin's Jim Hewes
| Official
by Travis Mitchell
2 comments / new

The mint julep is a classic American cocktail, served in a tin cup and best known as the quintessential drink of the Kentucky Derby. But the simple, refreshing cocktail deserves more than one day in the spotlight.

The balanced blend of bourbon, sugar and mint is great for sipping on warm afternoons, with the sugar and mint complementing and softening the spicy kick of bourbon.

Anyone searching for a mint julep has many D.C spots to choose from. Some bars and restaurants stick to the traditional recipe, while others gravitate to modern twists. Here's where to look for everything from Derby Day specials to year-round offerings.

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Barrel

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[Photo: Facebook]

613 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
(202) 543-3622
(202) 543-3622

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Bourbon

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[Photo: Facebook]

2348 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
(202) 625-7770
(202) 625-7770

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Church & State

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[Photo: Facebook]

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

Eatonville

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[Photo: Facebook]

2121 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 332-9672
(202) 332-9672

Also featured in:

Jack Rose Dining Saloon

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This whiskey destination serves mint juleps year-round and is offering them for $9 from 4 to 7 p.m. during Kentucky Derby coverage.
[Photo: Official]

2007 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 588-7388
(202) 588-7388

Also featured in:

Lincoln

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The mint julep is among the classic America cocktails offered at this small-plates restaurant. The recipe is pretty by the books and includes Bulleit bourbon, mint syrup and fresh mint leaves.
[Photo: Official]

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

Also featured in:

McClellan's Retreat

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[Photo: Facebook]

2031 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 265-6270
(202) 265-6270

Also featured in:

Occidental

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Kentucky Derby specials here include a traditional mint julep made with Woodford Reserve bourbon as well as a blood orange julep.
[Photo: Official]

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

Also featured in:

Southern Hospitality

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[Photo: Facebook]

1815 Adams Mill Rd NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 588-0411
(202) 588-0411

The Dignitary

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Located inside the new Marriott Marquis, this cocktail bar serves up FDR's Mint Julep, made with Buffalo Trace bourbon.
[Photo: Official]

901 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

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The Round Robin Bar

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There's no more famous source for Mint Juleps than the Round Robin Bar, where old school bartender Jim Hewes mixes up perfect renditions of the drink.

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

Also featured in:

Vidalia

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A mint julep is the perfect companion to Vidalia's southern fare. They're regularly priced at a reasonable $10 each.
[Photo: R. Lopez]

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

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Barrel

613 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

[Photo: Facebook]

613 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
(202) 543-3622
(202) 543-3622

Bourbon

2348 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

[Photo: Facebook]

2348 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
(202) 625-7770
(202) 625-7770

Church & State

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

[Photo: Facebook]

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

Eatonville

2121 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

[Photo: Facebook]

2121 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 332-9672
(202) 332-9672

Jack Rose Dining Saloon

2007 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

This whiskey destination serves mint juleps year-round and is offering them for $9 from 4 to 7 p.m. during Kentucky Derby coverage.
[Photo: Official]

2007 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 588-7388
(202) 588-7388

Lincoln

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

The mint julep is among the classic America cocktails offered at this small-plates restaurant. The recipe is pretty by the books and includes Bulleit bourbon, mint syrup and fresh mint leaves.
[Photo: Official]

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

McClellan's Retreat

2031 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

[Photo: Facebook]

2031 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 265-6270
(202) 265-6270

Occidental

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

Kentucky Derby specials here include a traditional mint julep made with Woodford Reserve bourbon as well as a blood orange julep.
[Photo: Official]

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

Southern Hospitality

1815 Adams Mill Rd NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

[Photo: Facebook]

1815 Adams Mill Rd NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 588-0411
(202) 588-0411

The Dignitary

901 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Located inside the new Marriott Marquis, this cocktail bar serves up FDR's Mint Julep, made with Buffalo Trace bourbon.
[Photo: Official]

901 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

The Round Robin Bar

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

There's no more famous source for Mint Juleps than the Round Robin Bar, where old school bartender Jim Hewes mixes up perfect renditions of the drink.

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

Vidalia

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

A mint julep is the perfect companion to Vidalia's southern fare. They're regularly priced at a reasonable $10 each.
[Photo: R. Lopez]

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

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