Mint Julep

The Mint Julep is the South's signature cocktail and the official drink of the Kentucky Derby. Dating to the 1700s-1800s American South, this simple combination of bourbon, fresh mint, sugar, and crushed ice became synonymous with Southern hospitality and horse racing culture. The drink is built in a silver or pewter julep cup (or rocks glass), packed with crushed ice, and garnished with a bouquet of fresh mint. The metal cup frosts beautifully, creating a visually stunning cocktail. The Mint Julep represents Southern drinking culture, Kentucky Derby tradition, and the elegance of simple ingredients. The drink embodies antebellum hospitality, bourbon appreciation, and the ritual of leisurely drinking. Over 120,000 Mint Juleps are served at Churchill Downs on Derby Day alone. The Julep's combination of bourbon richness, mint freshness, sugar sweetness, and icy dilution creates refreshing sophistication perfect for hot weather. The cocktail demands quality ingredients: good bourbon (Woodford Reserve is the official Derby bourbon), fresh mint (gently pressed, not destroyed), crushed ice, and a proper julep cup for maximum frost. The drink represents Kentucky bourbon culture, Southern tradition, and special occasion drinking. Whether served at Churchill Downs or a Southern veranda, the Mint Julep delivers bourbon elegance.