Celebrate the Kentucky Derby With the Ultimate Mint Julep Recipe
Mint Julep recipe
Ever wonder how many mint juleps are consumed at the Kentucky Derby? Walter Scott found the answer! Close to 120,000 times over the two-day event. Now that's a lot of mint, bourbon and crushed ice to go through.
Toast your favorite racehorse on May 4, 2024, with this classic Kentucky Derby Mint Julep.
Related: Delightful Dishes, Desserts & Drinks for the Kentucky Derby
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What is a Mint Julep?
"The famous Derby cocktail is made with bourbon, simple syrup and mint, and served over crushed ice," explains Elizabeth McCall, Assistant Master Distiller at Woodford Reserve, the Presenting Sponsor of the Kentucky Derby.
What is the history of the Mint Julep?
The mint julep has a long history and in the 1800’s it was considered a morning drink. "People working on horse farms or in the horse racing industry during this time period may wake up with aches and pains. You didn’t have aspirin so you would make a mint julep; bourbon to soothe your aches and pains, sugar to cut the alcohol and mint to freshen your breath," says McCall.
What's the best glass to serve the Mint Julep in?
The traditional glass to serve the mint julep is the silver cup. According to McCall, this comes from the tradition of jockeys winning silver cups for trophies around the same time that the mint julep was becoming popular. "The silver cup forms a nice ice layer and keeps the drink cold for an extended period of time." If you are visiting the race track you will be served a mint julep in a highball glass with lots of ice.
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Ingredients Needed:
simple syrup
crushed ice
fresh mint
How to Make Simple Syrup for a Mint Julep
Combine 2 cups water and 2 cups sugar in a pot and bring to a boil to make a simple syrup. Boil for 5 minutes. Cool and place in a covered container with 2 sprigs of fresh mint and refrigerate overnight.
To make your mint julep, start by filling 8 mint julep glasses with crushed ice. Add 1 Tbsp of the mint-flavored simple syrup then 2 oz of Kentucky Bourbon. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the outside of the glass. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.
Best tips for making a Mint Julep:
Having plenty of crushed ice, fresh mint and a good quality simple syrup
Rub your glass with the mint leaves add, 2 oz of Woodford Reserve Bourbon and a splash of simple syrup
Then fill with crushed ice and stir, next add your sprig of mint and top with more crushed ice.
Woodford Reserve
What about how to make a Woodford Spire?
The Woodford Spire is an easy-sipping mixed drink. McCall says you will need 1.5 oz Woodford Reserve Bourbon, 2 oz lemonade and 1 oz cranberry juice, then simply pour the ingredients into a glass with ice, stir and garnish with a lemon twist.
Woodford Reserve
What are some of your favorite Derby memories over the years?
"Some of my favorite memories are sharing drinks with good friends at the track with the smell of cigars in the air and everyone dressed in their finest spring track attire," shares McCall. "I also love being backside in the wee hours of the morning watching the horses train, the air is buzzing with anticipation and it’s pure joy for me. These horses love their job and it’s so fun to watch them come alive!"
What's the new Kentucky Derby-themed bottle of Woodford 2024?
This year’s bottle features the artwork of Kentucky native Wylie Caudill's painting "Adorned in Roses." Woodford Reserve's Kentucky Derby Bottle can be purchased for $52.99.
Woodford Reserve
Best Mint Julep Recipe for the Kentucky Derby
Ingredients
Splash simple syrup
2 oz Woodford Reserve Bourbon
Crushed ice
Fresh mint
Rub your glass with the mint leaves.
Add 2 oz of Woodford Reserve Bourbon and a splash of simple syrup.
Then fill with crushed ice and stir.
Add your sprig of mint and top with more crushed ice.
