It's getting lively at Churchill downs right about now. It's derby time. The Kentucky Derby is well known for many things, and my favorites are the fashion and the cocktails. This yearly spectacle has all of the sights and excitement of a major Hollywood event, nestled in a sporting competition. It has something for everyone.

I, for one, cannot wait to see what people are wearing this year. The hats, and suits and dresses, and gloves, all of the brightest of colors, really marking the springtime. I have always wanted to attend the Derby but have not had an opportunity to go yet. It's a feast for the eyes. I may even don my own fancy headpiece while watching the event this Saturday.

Now on to the cocktails. While there are many drinks served at Churchill Downs during the Derby, the Quintessential Kentucky Derby drink has to be the Mint Julep. The mint julep has been part of the Kentucky racing tradition since the 19th century when jockey clubs gave out sterling silver julep cups as trophies. The drink, a mixture of Kentucky bourbon, sugar, water, and mint, became the official Derby cocktail in 1939. Now you could definitely stick to tradition and prepare the drink as it has been all of these years or shake things up a bit.

In today's post, we are giving you a strawberry-infused julep recipe for my movers and shakers. Check out our recipe Tutorial below for Naturally Hooked's Strawberry Mint Julep. This simple yet flavorful recipe will provide a contemporary edge to any Kentucky Derby gathering.

Strawberry Mint Julep

Yield: 1

Author: Naturally Hooked

This simple yet flavorful recipe will provide a contemporary edge to any Kentucky Derby gathering.

Ingredients

What you'll need for a Mint Julep

2 oz Kentucky Whiskey
4 oz of Strawberry syrup

WHat you'll need for Strawberry Syrup

1 cup Sugar
1 cup Water
1 cup Strawberries
1-2 Mint Sprigs

Instructions

What you'll do for a Mint Julep

Fill a glass with crushed water.
Pour whiskey into the glass.
Pour Strawberry syrup into the glass.
Stir
Garnish with strawberries and mint sprigs
Enjoy!!

What you'll do for Strawberry Syrup

Add 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water into a saucepan over medium-high heat until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Add strawberries and mint sprigs to the pot and steep for 5-7 minutes.
Using a strainer, pour the mixture into a container and let cool for at least 2 hours.
This will keep in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks.