El Derby Ahumado (Basil Julep With Cucumber, Jalapeño, and Mezcal) Recipe

Mezcal, cucumber, jalapeño, and basil place this drink quite far from a classic mint julep, but it's well worth the departure.

By
Daniel Gritzer
Daniel Gritzer
Daniel Gritzer
Editorial Director

Daniel is the editorial director of Serious Eats, where he leads the site's editorial strategy and oversees everything from recipe development to articles on food science, cooking techniques, and more. He's a former food editor at Food & Wine and has cooked in New York City restaurants.

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Updated March 10, 2025
An El Derby Ahumado cocktail served in a julep cup. A whole jalapeño and a bottle of mezcal are nearby.

Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik

Why It Works

  • Crushed ice chills the drink rapidly and keeps it cold.
  • Freshly muddled jalapeño, cucumber, and basil add the perfect balance of green-vegetable flavor, cooling refreshment, and mouthwatering spice.

This cocktail is admittedly quite far from classic julep territory, but it's as drinkable as it is atypical. The name means "the smoked derby" in Spanish, a nod to the mezcal that lends the drink its campfire aroma. Mixed with it are muddled cucumber (for thirst-quenching freshness); jalapeño (for green, vegetal spice); basil (for an herbal note); and agave syrup—which is made from the same Mexican succulent that mezcal is—though sugar would work just fine in its place.

Instead of garnishing with a tuft of fresh mint, you can bury your nose in some sprigs of fresh basil, then snack on the cucumber stick that's jammed into the ice. It's just enough refreshment to tame the jalapeño heat and keep you coming back for more.

Recipe Details

El Derby Ahumado (Basil Julep With Cucumber, Jalapeño, and Mezcal) Recipe

Prep 5 mins
Active 5 mins
Total 5 mins
Serves 1 serving
Keep Screen Awake

Ingredients

  • 1 (1/2-inch) round peeled cucumber (about 3/4 ounce; 20 g), plus 1 cucumber stick for garnish

  • 1 thin slice jalapeño pepper, with seeds (the size of this round of jalapeño will determine the spiciness of the drink)

  • 6 fresh basil leaves, plus a large tuft of basil sprigs

  • 2 teaspoons (10 ml) agave syrup

  • 2 1/2 ounces (75 ml) mezcal

  • Crushed or shaved ice

Directions

  1. In a julep cup or large rocks glass, muddle cucumber round and jalapeño until they are well crushed and juices are expressed. Add basil leaves and agave syrup and muddle until basil is lightly bruised, then swab the glass's sides with the basil's aromatic oils. Add mezcal and stir well. Half-fill glass with crushed ice and stir to combine. Fill glass completely with crushed ice and stir until outside of glass frosts. Add more crushed ice, heaping generously, then garnish with sprigs of fresh basil and cucumber stick. Serve, adding a short straw if desired so that the fragrance of the basil bouquet will greet the drinker with each sip.

Special Equipment

Muddler, Lewis bag , julep cup or large rocks glass

This Recipe Appears In

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
254 Calories
0g Fat
31g Carbs
1g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 254
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 10mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 31g 11%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 25g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 18mg 89%
Calcium 18mg 1%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 114mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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