The Kentucky Derby is this weekend. That means fans are getting ready for the food, the clothes (if you know me, you know this is where I am paying a lot of attention), and, let’s be honest, the thing we’re all most excited for: the mint juleps. This is one of the most iconic drinks made in all of the United States, and it is deeply tied to the Kentucky Derby. So, in celebration of the weekend’s event, we are learning how to make our own mint julep at home from the master distiller from another American icon: Woodford Reserve.
The Mint Julep and the Derby are so intertwined that it’s hard to imagine one without the other – Elizabeth McCall, Master Distiller for Woodford Reserve
Where did the mint julep come from
If you are anything like me, you can be a bit of a nerd when you find a drink you like. The first time I had a mint julep while taking a tour of Churchill Downs (I have yet to see an actual race; anyone with connections, gimme a call, I have the hat ready), I was taken with the cocktail. That is when I wanted to know everything. The who, the where, the why, and the how. That is where McCall comes in.
“Back in the 1800s, it was a morning drink for people working on horse farms or in the racing industry. They didn’t have aspirin, so they’d reach for a Mint Julep to start the day, bourbon to soothe the aches and pains, sugar to cut the alcohol, and mint to freshen the breath. Over time, it evolved from a working person’s remedy into a cocktail tied to Southern hospitality and horse racing culture. It officially became the drink of the Derby in the 1930s when Churchill Downs started serving it in souvenir cups. For us at Woodford Reserve, as the Official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby since 1999, every May is a celebration of that tradition.”
A partnership built on demand
Here is the thing: we don’t think about the logistics when we’re standing in line ordering our favorite drink at our favorite event. We just swipe or tap the card and enjoy, then we come back for more. But, as you can imagine, there are thousands upon thousands of mint juleps ordered during race weekend. So, how do they make that happen? McCall tells me that it is a partnership driven by the highest demand of the year.
“The preparation starts well in advance of race day, and none of it would be possible without the incredible team at Churchill Downs. They are extraordinary partners in every sense of the word; the logistical coordination that goes into serving over 120,000 Mint Juleps over Derby weekend is genuinely one of the most impressive operations I’ve ever seen, and we don’t take that collaboration for granted. We spend all year working together to make sure everything is perfect, and that partnership is honestly one of my favorite parts of the season.”
Make a mint julep at home
Ok, if you’re like me (because I still haven’t gotten a call from a friend in Kentucky), you’ll be watching the biggest horse race from home this year. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the best drink of the weekend. Instead, you get to learn how to make one yourself and enjoy it from the comfort of your own home. Take that, all you impeccably dressed people sitting on uncomfortable bleachers.
“Good news – a Woodford Reserve Mint Julep at home is easier than you’d think, and it all starts with the right bourbon. Here’s what you need:
- 2 oz Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select
- 1/2 oz Woodford Reserve® Mint Julep Cocktail Syrup
- 3 fresh mint leaves
- Crushed ice
- Step 1 – Express the essential oils in the mint and rub them inside the glass.
- Step 2 – To the same glass, add simple syrup, bourbon, and crushed ice.
- Step 3 – Stir
- Step 4 – Garnish with more ice, fresh mint, and powdered sugar.
