There’s no shortage of big hats, bold florals, and bourbon-forward sips when Derby Day rolls around. But if you’re still serving the same old mint julep, it’s time for a photo finish refresh. Enter: the Peach Mint Julep, a Southern classic that’s been gently (but gloriously) flipped on its head.
This isn’t your granddad’s julep. It’s all the elegance of race day tradition with a sun-kissed twist of peach, a little ginger zip, and a smooth pour of browned butter bourbon that whispers, “I’ve been barrel-aged and blessed.”
The backbone of this beauty? Taffer’s Browned Butter Bourbon, which sips like bourbon with a velvet smoking jacket. Think rich, nutty notes, toasted vanilla, and just enough toffee to make your palate do a double take. Created by none other than Jon Taffer (yes, that Bar Rescue guy), this bourbon is what happens when hospitality and craftsmanship decide to slow dance.
Pair that with juicy peach, a spritz of lemon, ginger in two forms, and the crunch of crushed ice, and you’ve got a julep worth placing bets on … especially if you’re hosting a backyard watch party where the horses are on TV and your guests are only pretending to understand how trifectas work.
Want to make it a crowd-pleaser? Go big. Multiply the recipe, pour it all into a punch bowl over crushed ice, and let fresh mint and peach wheels do the heavy lifting on the garnish front. Bonus points if your punch bowl is a little retro or a little ridiculous. (It is Derby Day, after all.)
Peach Mint Julep
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Taffer’s Browned Butter Bourbon
- 4 oz Ginger Beer
- 0.75 oz Ginger Simple Syrup
- 0.5 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 3 Peach Slices (½” thick)
- Fresh Mint
How to Make It:
- In a julep cup or rocks glass, muddle a few mint leaves with the lemon juice and ginger simple syrup. Don’t overdo it—you want a kiss of mint, not a grass smoothie.
- Add Taffer’s Browned Butter Bourbon and a scoop of crushed ice.
- Top it off with ginger beer (let it fizz and flirt).
- Garnish like you mean it—with more mint and a few peach slices lounging on top.
Glassware: Julep Cup or Rocks Glass
Garnish: Peach Slices & Fresh Mint
If you’re lucky enough to live in Massachusetts or Nevada, you can pick up a bottle of Taffer’s in person. Everyone else? Shop online at shop.taffers.com. They ship to 32 states, so chances are you’re covered.
And if anyone asks where you got the recipe? Tell them the winner’s circle.
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