Would you spend $1,000 on a mint julep at the Kentucky Derby?
For the past 13 years, Woodford Reserve has sold $1,000 mint juleps at the Kentucky Derby. But what could possibly make a cocktail so expensive? As it turns out, when you’re serving cocktails in highly-coveted limited-edition cups that also raise money for charity, the sky’s the limit.
Ever since Woodford Reserve started the $1,000 Mint Julep Cup program, they have raised over $450,000 for charity. This year, the effort raises money for the Jennifer Lawrence Arts Fund, which the Kentucky-born actress founded in 2016 to help provide access to the arts for children in the Greater Louisville area.
This year’s cups are designed by local Kentucky jeweler From The Vault and feature a thoroughbred horse, jockey, a single rose and a bottle of Woodford Reserve. Etched into the front of each cups are the spires of Churchill Downs and a stream of Kentucky limestone water that is famously used to distill Woodford Reserve.
When the silver “Bluegrass” cups went on sale for $1,000 on April 11, $48,000 was made in 20 minutes, and the cups were completely sold out within in a week. The $2,500 gold-plated “Commonwealth” cups also sold out.
Even though the cups are sold online each year, you need to attend the Derby in person to claim yours — and to enjoy the cocktail in person. While the online program is sold out, Woodford Reserve saves five cups to sell at the track on the day of the Derby.
Even if you can’t get your hands on one of the limited-edition cups, you can still make the cocktail at home using the recipe below.
Woodford Reserve $1,000 Mint Julep Recipe
1 tsp. Sorghum Simple Syrup from Woodford County, Kentucky
2 Kentucky Colonel Mint Leaves
Take one mint leaf and rub it on the inside of the julep cup to express the essential oils. Add the bourbon and simple syrup and top it off with crushed ice made from limestone-filtered water sourced directly from the Woodford Reserve Distillery. Give the drink a quick stir with a bar spoon to blend the ingredients.
To finish the drink, three red spray roses, a sprig of mint and one rose petal from the garland that is draped around the neck of the winning Derby horse will be added to each $1,000 and $2,500 mint julep this Saturday at Churchill Downs.
More affordable versions of the same drink will also be served on Saturday—minus the gold and silver cups and exclusive garnishes. But if you’re looking to switch it up this year, Woodford Reserve will also be serving a new drink called the Woodford Spire that you can recreate at home using the recipe below.
Woodford Spire Recipe
2 oz. Lemonade
1 oz. Cranberry Juice
Lemon Twist
Served in a copper julep cup, the Woodford Spire is a refreshing blend of bourbon, lemonade and cranberry juice. To make, pour the first three ingredients over ice into a julep cup and garnish with a lemon twist.
