Buy This Kentucky Derby-Themed Mint Julep For A Mere $1K (Or Just Make It Yourself)

Photo: Woodford Reserve

We all love a refreshing mint julep, but is it worth $1,000? Woodford Reserve, the Presenting Sponsor of the 145th Kentucky Derby, thinks so. It’s selling a mint julep at that (very steep) price for charity.

The Woodford Reserve $1,000 Mint Julep consists of a locally made Kentucky sweetener (simple syrup) that was rested in oak barrels for 145 days at Churchill Downs. The drink will also be presented in a wooden box that’s lined with jockey silk. It’s served in a silver cup created for a Louisville-area jeweler and contains Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon, and mint leaves.

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Photo: Woodford Reserve

The drink will be available for purchase until April 30 with all proceeds going to the John Asher Memorial Scholarship Fund at Western Kentucky University.

Assuming $1,000 for a cocktail isn’t in your budget, here’s how you can make a delicious mint julep for yourself.

Woodford Reserve’s 2019 $1,000 Mint Julep Kentucky Derby

Ingredients:

2 ounces Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon

2 bar spoons of Inspired honey sweetener

2 mint leaves

Shaved honeycomb and a sprig of mint (for garnish)

Preparation:

Rub mint around the julep cup, expressing the essential oils, and place the mint leaf in the bottom of the cup. Drizzle two bar spoons of honey sweetener in the cup, followed by two ounces of Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon, mixing the ingredients together. Pack ice into the cup, followed by the sipping straw. Layer loose ice on top, with a splash of Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon to settle your drink. Garnish with shaved honeycomb and a sprig of mint.

If you want to change up the bourbon in your mint julep, we’ve picked our favorite bottles for the task below.

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