Every Louisville citizen has an opinion about the Mint Julep, the long-standing official cocktail of the Kentucky Derby.
Some say it’s for tourists, others say it’s the perfect drink for Kentucky Derby Day.
Some Kentucky Derby Grinch say they never drink mint juleps, while other experienced Derby attendees say they only drink them fresh.
Whatever your thoughts, mint juleps are a Kentucky Derby staple. And I thought I’d share a little bit of information about a typical cocktail, whether you want to try it or give it a cold shoulder.
What is a mint julep?
The most basic mint julep is a cocktail made with bourbon, mint, and simple syrup.
Served at Churchill Downs for nearly a century, it actually originated as a breakfast drink.
Bourbon historian Michael Beach states that mint julep was invented in the 18th century by Kentucky farmers for planting, harvesting, and tending livestock.
“You were working from sunrise to sunset, so you had a little whiskey in the morning to keep you going,” Veach said, adding that whiskey was the equivalent of moonshine at the time. Add mint and sugar to make it smoother.
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Mint juleps are often served in silver cups, another tradition that dates back to the frontier era.
At the time, frontiersmen were known to carry their own utensils with them when traveling, and those who wanted to show off their wealth carried silver cups, Beach said.
Ultimately, the cocktail and cup combined to create the official drink of the Kentucky Derby as we know it today.
Why are fresh mint juleps the best?
Ask your local bartender for advice on the best mint julep and you’ll likely get the same directions.
At the Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs servers don’t have that option, as they rely on pre-made mint julep mixes to quickly serve an average of 120,000 cocktails over two days.
The classic on the track is technically a mint julep, but bartenders say it doesn’t have the nuances of a freshly made cocktail because the mint accentuates the bourbon rather than overpowering it.
For the real deal, head to one of Louisville’s bourbon-centric bars. From April to May he Mint His Julep often appears on the menu.
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Better yet, try making it yourself. Below are some mint julep recipes.
How much is Mint Julep at Churchill Downs?
Official prices for 2023 Derby Day mint juleps have not yet been announced. At the 148th Kentucky His Derby in 2022, a special limited edition cocktail featuring gold and silver Julep cups sold for over $2,500 at his $1,000 Mint Julep charity program as part of the Woodford Reserve $1,000 Mint Julep charity program. .
Mint Julep Cocktail Recipe
By bartender standards, a julep is any cocktail that contains sweeteners and herbs.
With that in mind, bartenders around town are playing with different variations ahead of the Kentucky Derby and Louisville’s Mint Julep month.
Here are some of their recipes:
Old Forester Mint Julep
- 3 oz Old Forester Mint Julep
- 3/4 ounce simple syrup
- 8-10 mint leaves
- 3 sprigs of mint for garnish
- silver julep cup
Fill mint julep cups with crushed ice. Add bourbon, syrup, and mint leaves to a mixing glass. Scrape the mint leaves lightly with a stirrer and strain the contents into a julep cup. Garnish with 3 generous sprigs of mint.
Source: KentuckyDerby.com
Woodford Reserve Classic Mint Julep
- 2 oz Woodford Reserve
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- 3 fresh mint leaves
- crushed ice
Squeeze some mint essential oil and rub it on the inside of the glass. In the same glass, combine simple syrup, bourbon, and crushed ice. mix. Garnish with ice and fresh mint.
Source: KentuckyDerby.com
Old Forester Mint Julep Lemonade
- 1 1/2 oz Old Forester 86
- 1 1/2 ounces water
- 1 1/2 ounces simple syrup
- 1 1/2 ounces lemon juice
- 8-10 mint leaves
Rub mint leaves inside the glass. In a shaker can, combine her first four ingredients and shake with ice. Fill the prepared glass with fresh ice. Garnish with mint sprigs.
Source: KentuckyDerby.com
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simple basil julep
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 3/4 ounce simple syrup
- 4-6 basil leaves
Rub the leaves in a glass. Add bourbon and syrup. Add crushed ice and garnish with basil leaves.
Source: Jackie Zaikan
Southern Peach Julep
- 2 ounces copper and brandy of kings
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- 3 dashes of peach bitters
- 8-10 mint leaves
- 3 slices of fresh ripe peaches
Combine all ingredients in a mixing can. Mush the leaves along with the peaches. Strain the liquid into a glass and add crushed ice. Garnish with mint leaves and peach slices.
Source: Estes Public Relations
Woodford Reserve Watermelon Julep
- 1 1/4 oz Woodford Reserve
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- 5-6 mint leaves
- 5-6 fresh watermelons
- crushed ice
Place simple syrup and watermelon in a mixing glass. Add the mint and lightly press to release the oil. Add Woodford Reserve and mix well with crushed ice. Strain over crushed ice. Garnish with watermelon and chopped fresh mint.
Source: Kentuckyderby.com
chocolate mint julep
- barotan chocolate mint 2 oz
- 1/2 ounce Rich Simple Syrup
- mint leaves
Lightly press 10-12 mint leaves into a double old-fashioned glass. Add ingredients and crushed ice. Garnish with mint sprigs.
Source: Barotan Chocolate Whiskey
Reach features reporter Dahlia Ghabour at dghabour@courier-journal.com.