A long-lasting Kentucky Derby tradition, the Woodford Reserve $1,000 Mint Julep charity program, this year honors the connections between Kentucky and France.
A statement from Woodford Reserve explains that a total of 148 mint julep cups, honoring Derby No. 148, are available for purchase at woodfordreservemintjulep.com and you can pick up the cups at Churchill Downs on Derby Day at the $1,000 Mint Julep Experience.
Each cup is handmade by Louisville-based jeweler From the Vault, and each features red rubies in the shape of a horseshoe.
One side of the cup is engraved with a thoroughbred, representing Versailles, Kentucky, where Woodford Reserve Distillery is located and where many of the world’s best thoroughbreds are bred and raised. The other side includes a nod to Versailles, France.
Of the 148 cups, 18 are gold and retail for $2,500. The remaining 130 are silver and go for $1,000.
Proceeds from the cups’ sales will benefit Old Friends Farm, where famous thoroughbreds, including past Derby winners, are sent to retire peacefully. The charity was started by Mike Blowen, a retired journalist from The Boston Globe.
This year’s $1,000 Mint Julep cocktail features ingredients found at France’s Palace of Versailles, once home to three of the country’s kings from the House of Bourbon: Kings Louis XIV to XVI.
The cocktail itself is said to bring together the flavors of orange, lemon and pomegranate with Woodford Reserve Bourbon.
Trending Stories
“The French connections to Kentucky are significant – from Versailles, the home of our distillery – to Louisville, Kentucky, the city where the Derby is run and which was named after King Louis XVI,” said Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Chris Morris. “Cheers – or as the French would say ‘Sante’ – to Derby 148.”
Woodford Reserve is the presenting sponsor of the Kentucky Derby. The whiskey maker shared a recipe for The French Mint Julep:
- 2 oz. Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- 2 tsp. honey syrup (½ part Honey from Versailles, France and ½ part water)
- 1 lemon peel
- 1 orange peel
- 2 fresh pomegranate arils, plus more for garnish
- 1 bunch fresh lemon mint sprigs, garnish
Directions: In the Julep cup, add honey syrup, 1 peel each of the lemon and orange, 2 pomegranate arils, and muddle. Then fill the cup ⅔ of the way with crushed ice. Add Woodford Reserve and top the cup off with more crushed ice. Garnish by tucking in a fresh bunch of lemon mint, lemon and orange peels on the side. Top with fresh pomegranate arils and serve.
For more information, check out www.woodfordreserve.com.
Latest News