Last year’s mint julep from Dot Dot Dot. Photo courtesy

We’re just under a month away from the Kentucky Derby, a sporty excuse to sip on the classic Mint Julep cocktail. Each year in the four weeks leading up to the Derby, regional magazine Garden & Gun holds its Mint Julep Month, partnering with Maker’s Mark. The month also encourages bars to eliminate the use of plastic straws in favor of paper ones.

Here are the bars participating in Mint Julep Month locally, as well as what they’re serving:

5Church, Uptown
St. Mark’s Julep: Maker’s Mark, elderflower liqueur, simple syrup, orange, and mint

Angeline’s, Uptown
All-Natural Julep: Maker’s 46, honey simple syrup, raw sugar, lemon juice, and mint

Civetta Italian Kitchen & Bar, South Charlotte
Italian Julep: Strawberries, marsala wine, Maker’s Mark, and mint

Dot Dot Dot, Montford Park
Cask Strength Maker’s Mark, Green Chartreuse, crème de cacao, mint, and sugar

Duckworth’s, Uptown
A classic mint julep

Hello, Sailor, Cornelius
The Full Monte: Meyer lemon juice, bourbon, mint-steeped simple syrup, and Italian amaro

Kindred, Davidson
The Deputy Julep: A Maker’s Mark julep with citrus notes, Branca Menta, and garnished with mint and powdered sugar

Merchant & Trade, Uptown
Midnight Shiso Julep: Maker’s Mark with smoke, heat, umami, and spice flavors accented with Shiso

RockSalt, Myers Park
Derby Daze Julep: Farm-fresh carrot juice, Maker’s Mark, citrus, and muddled mint

The Ryal at The Ballantyne Hotel, South Charlotte
Mixed Berri Julep: Makers 46 with fresh blackberry juice, pomegranate liqueur, mint syrup, and lemon juice

Sea Level NC, Uptown
Churchill Downer Julep: Maker’s Mark with pome, citrus, and cinnamon flavors

Sophia’s Lounge, Uptown
Strawberry Rhubarb Julep: Bourbon, rhubarb simple syrup, strawberries, and mint

The Waterman, Sedgefield
Easy Does It: Maker’s Mark, raspberry and lemon oleo-saccharum, and muddled mint

See a full list of restaurants across the South taking part in Mint Julep Month here. —Kristen Wile