Kentucky Derby Traditions – Mint Julep
The Mint Julep is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby. Enjoyed on a hot day in the South, there’s nothing like sipping on a cold Mint Julep on Derby Day!
Every year at the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, there are close to 120,000 Mint Juleps served over a forty-eight hour period. Can you imagine? That’s a lot of Mint Juleps! It would take approximately 1,000 pounds of fresh mint leaves and 60,000 pounds of ice to make that many Mint Juleps.
How to Make a Mint Julep
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups water
- crushed ice
- Kentucky bourbon
- fresh mint
Boil sugar and water together for 5 minutes to make a syrup. Cool and place in a covered container with 6 to 8 fresh mint sprigs. Refrigerate overnight. Fill each julep glass with crushed ice. Add 1 tablespoon of mint syrup and 2 ounces of Kentucky bourbon. Stir rapidly to frost outside of glass. Garnish with fresh mint sprig.
Frozen Mint Julep
4 mint leaves
4 oz of Kentucky bourbon
4 oz sweet and sour mix
Blend with ice until smooth and pour into a tall glass and garnish with mint sprig. Refreshing!
Oaks Lily – The Official Drink of the Kentucky Oaks
1 oz. Finlandia Vodka
1 oz. Sweet and Sour Mix
3 oz. Cranberry Juice
Splash of Triple Sec
Mix the ingredients in a tall glass with crushed ice, add a straw and garnish with an orange wedge and cherry. Yum!
