Nightlife

Mint Condition

Derby Day’s Best Juleps

California Chrome: 7-4. Vicar’s in Trouble: 10-1. Noble Moon: 50-1. You Drinking Juleps on Saturday: 1-1. One of those is not the name of a horse. On that note, take a peek at the finest julep offerings in town right now...

THE SLUSHY

Mint Julep Kelvin Slushy at Pork Slope

The Julep: Bourbon, mint, ice, but all blended together, achieving that perfect balance between Churchill Downs–style refreshment and 7-Eleven.
The Scene: The race on four flat-screens. Before and after: pulled pork in a neighborhood bar that’s loosely themed on Road House. Do this for Swayze.

THE EVERYMAN

The Jumpin’ Julep at Rochelle’s

The Julep: Picture a completely normal julep. Now picture a bottle of pilsner being poured into it in slow motion.
The Scene: A notoriously rowdy LES situation. You’ll have a few of these, and then there’s some kind of horse race, maybe? You won’t remember.

THE AMBITION

The Black Velvet at Maison Premiere

The Julep: A champagne-based number with an oyster-stout reduction. And if that doesn’t strike your fancy, they’ve got five more juleps awaiting judgment.
The Scene: Well-hatted folks competing for the title of best dressed (an actual award) while a jazz band plays. You’re the Man o’ War of seersucker.

THE HEALER

Lapsang Tea Julep at Sweetwater Social

The Julep: One that’s infused with Chinese black tea. Which you’ll choose to believe makes it health-neutral.
The Scene: A new subterranean cocktailery giving away a little something (probably more juleps) for picking the trifecta. There’s also shufflepuck, for the several hours the race isn’t happening.

THE CLASSIC

The Mint Julep at Maysville

The Julep: An uncompromising, no-bullsh*t mint julep.
The Scene: A rural-Kentucky-inspired bourbon bar and restaurant with giant horse paintings on the wall. They’ll be broadcasting the race via old-school radio. Winner.