Thank you to Maker’s Mark for sponsoring this post and to you for supporting all the brands that make Space, Place & Southern Grace possible! Please drink responsibly.
What a wild year, am I right? Early in 2020, we got the news that the horse race of the year would be postponed to Fall. Coincidentally, the postponed date was our wedding day. Before we made the decision to postpone, we decided to lean hard into the theme and were even envisioning watching the races on screens in our reception with all our friends and family. While I’m not the best at betting, I have always really enjoyed the atmosphere the event brings to our state. It’s a time to gather, get dressed up, and connect over great food and drink.
Now that the 146th event will be run without fans, we decided to celebrate our would-be wedding day and the fastest two minutes in sports with a little at home cocktail party. A Fall race gives us an opportunity to put seasonal twists on our favorite traditions. I picked up the stunning Winter Draper James dress shown below at the beginning of the year, and never got a chance to wear it when life shut down. The colors and style are perfect for the day, even if I’m just getting dressed for my back porch!
When it comes to signature drinks at the track, my overall pick is the Keeneland Breeze made with Maker’s Mark and a splash of orange liqueur. For the big race, however, the classic Mint Julep is something so iconic you can’t pass up. In the Springtime, it’s crisp, cold, and very refreshing. For a Fall event, where it’s likely to be as warm if not warmer, I’m adding a few special ingredients to really get us in the seasonal spirit. Adding a touch of cranberry syrup adds a bit of softness to the Maker’s Mark, and cinnamon gives a fragrant addition to the already lively fresh mint. The crushed ice truly makes the drink. Don’t have any on hand? Throw cubed ice in a Ziploc back and throw it on the floor a few times – totally does the trick!
What’s your race day beverage of choice? Read on for my Fall-inspired Mint Julep recipe.
Fall Kentucky Mint Julep
What You’ll Need
- 1/4 ounce simple syrup (water and white sugar heated until thick)
- Fresh mint leaves
- 2 ounces Maker’s Mark bourbon
- Cranberry syrup
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- Crushed ice
Directions
- In a julep cup, muddle a few mint leaves and simple syrup.
- Add Maker’s Mark bourbon.
- Add a splash of cranberry syrup – I used Cheeky available here.
- Pack tightly with crushed ice.
- Add fresh mint leaves and two cinnamon sticks.
- Stir generously until glass is cold and frosted on the exterior.
- Top with more crushed ice.
- Enjoy!
