Kentucky's Mint Julep
The Mint Julep completes any trip to the Kentucky Derby as the official drink of the Greatest Two Minutes in Sports, but if you can't get to the Derby, we'll bring the Derby to you.
The concoction of four ingredients (bourbon, mint, sugar and water) has been a first-Saturday-in-May tradition since 1938. Churchill Downs staff are almost as busy pouring the cocktails as they are placing bets on Derby Day. In fact, more than 120,000 Mint Juleps are served every year during the weekend of the Run for the Roses.
The Mint Julep originated in the southern United States during the 18th century, and it was Kentucky’s Henry Clay who introduced the drink to Washington, D.C., at the famous Willard Hotel while living in the city as a U.S. senator. In addition to being available at Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum, one of the other places to get a Mint Julep is at Louisville bar, The Silver Dollar. They even serve it in style… in a traditional silver julep cup.
Here’s all you need:
Mint Julep:
2 cups sugar (256g)
2 cups water (270ml)
Sprigs of fresh mint
Crushed ice
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Silver Julep Cups
Make a simple syrup by boiling sugar and water together for five minutes. Cool and place in a covered container with six or eight sprigs of fresh mint, then refrigerate overnight if you have time. Make one Julep at a time by filling a julep cup with crushed ice, adding one tablespoon mint syrup and two ounces of Kentucky Bourbon. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the outside of the cup. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint. Enjoy!
