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.

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!