clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
More Maps

The Hottest New Brunches to Try Around D.C.

18 Espresso Martinis to Try in D.C. Right Now

Where to Find Outstanding Mexican Food Around D.C.

More in Washington DC See more maps
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
View as Map
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.

Read More
If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Barrel

Copy Link

[Photo: Facebook]

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

Also featured in:

Bourbon

Copy Link

[Photo: Facebook]

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

Also featured in:

Church & State

Copy Link

[Photo: Facebook]

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

Eatonville

Copy Link

[Photo: Facebook]

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

Also featured in:

Jack Rose Dining Saloon

Copy Link

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

Copy Link

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

Copy Link

[Photo: Facebook]

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

Also featured in:

Occidental

Copy Link

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

Copy Link

[Photo: Facebook]

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

The Dignitary

Copy Link

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
(202) 824-9681
(202) 824-9681

Also featured in:

The Round Robin Bar

Copy Link

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
(202) 628-9100
(202) 628-9100

Also featured in:

Vidalia

Copy Link

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

Also featured in:

More in Maps

Loading comments...

© 2023 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

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
(202) 824-9681
(202) 824-9681

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
(202) 628-9100
(202) 628-9100

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

Related Maps