These Mint Juleps Will Set You Back at Least $1,000
But it’s all for a good cause.
Kentucky Derby spectators drink 120,000 mint juleps throughout the race weekend, but there are two juleps that stand out among the rest. Woodford Reserve, this year’s presenting sponsor for the Derby, is offering a $1,000 and $2,500 mint julep to a limited number of attendees. Ninety ticket holders will be able to purchase a julep in a $1,000 Bluegrass Cup made of sterling silver and another 15 have already bought out the very limited number of $2,500 gold-plated Commonwealth Cups.
These high-priced cups have been offered at the Derby for more than 10 years. Each year both the cup design and recipe changes. This year, the cup notes Woodford Reserve’s presenting sponsorship with text and an image of the Twin Spires. In years past, the thousand-dollar recipe featured exotic ingredients like rare mint from California and ice made from rainwater in Australia. This time around, the ingredients are hyper-local, a nod to this year’s theme Best of Kentucky, and can only be found in the Derby’s home state. Think: limestone water ice, fresh mint and sorghum, a natural sweetener. In a final nod to the Derby, the drink is garnished with three spray roses and single rose petal from the Garland of Roses that will ultimately be draped over the winning horse.
If this all sounds too extravagant for you, keep in mind the proceeds of each expensive purchase go to charity. This year, the charity of choice is the Jennifer Lawrence Arts Fund, which supports the arts in the actress’s hometown of Louisville. To purchase one of these specialty mint juleps, visit woodfordreservemintjulep.com.
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