Festival · Louisville

Kentucky Derby: The Mint Julep Exception

Churchill Downs serves 120,000 mint juleps over Derby weekend—Woodford Reserve bourbon, fresh mint, crushed ice tradition since 1875. The $22 pour or $5,000 24k gold-plated cup showdown.

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FestivalKentucky Derby: The Mint Julep ExceptionThe Kentucky Derby is the one major sporting event where champagne lost. Over 120,000 mint juleps are served in two days - 10,000 bottles of bourbon, 2,250 pounds of mint. The tradition started in the 1930s with souvenir glasses. This is why America drinks bourbon, not bubbles, when horses run.