Guide to Derby Day and Mint Juleps

Whether you plan to enjoy the race from Churchill Downs or don an elaborate hat in the comfort of your own home, if you're watching the Kentucky Derby, you may find yourself sipping on a refreshing mint julep this weekend. The drink—a cocktail traditionally composed of bourbon, sugar, water, and mint—has been a Kentucky favorite since long before Churchill Downs came into play.

In fact, in , silver julep cups were given as prizes at Kentucky county fairs a change from the stuffed animals they offer today.

Though mint juleps have likely been enjoyed at the Kentucky Derby since the beginning— legend has it that founder Meriwether Lewis Clark, Jr. For almost two decades, the , mint juleps served at the races were made with Early Times. For the past 13 years, Brown-Forman has served a special version of the drink made with Woodford Reserve small batch bourbon. In , the Oscar-winning actress—and Louisville native—founded the organization "to assist and empower organizations that fulfill children's needs and drives art access to positively impact the lives of young people.

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But the truth is, if you ever see a minor out wassailing, you may want to call his or her parents. The word wassail has many meanings. Before the Battle of Hastings in , English soldiers reportedly sang:.

But, in England, wassail also denoted the alcoholic beverage you imbibed during that toast—an elixir of steamy mulled mead or cider. Sometimes, wassail was a whipped dark beer flavored with roasted crab apples. Wassail was usually slurped from a communal bowl before, during, and after big events and holidays.

It was supposedly on the menu during Lammas Day, a pagan autumnal harvest holiday that involves transforming cornhusks into dolls. It was also imbibed on Twelfth Night , a January holiday that involves lighting a fire in an orchard, dancing, and singing incantations to apple trees in hopes of encouraging a bountiful harvest. By the Middle Ages, the practice of sharing a giant bowl of wassail—that is, the practice of wassailing —evolved from a holiday celebration to a form of boozy begging. Not all rich folk were happy to see wassailers at their doorstep.

Misers like Selden may have had a point: Since alcohol was involved, wassailers often got too rowdy. In fact, boisterous wassailers are one reason why Oliver Cromwell and Long Parliament passed an ordinance in that essentially banned Christmas.

By the 19th century, wassailing would mellow. Beginning in the s, music publishers started releasing the first commercial Christmas carols, uncorking classics such as God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and The First Noel. Among them were dozens of wassailing songs, including the circa Here We Come a-Wassailing and dozens of others that are now, sadly, forgotten.

As the custom of caroling became the dominant door-to-door pastime, alcohol-fueled begging dwindled. You'll have an instant party as synonymous with Derby Day as distinctive hats. Mint juleps are the quintessential Southern cocktail. All you need for this classic version is fresh mint, mint simple syrup, and bourbon.

Leftover simple syrup keeps refrigerated about one week and perfectly sweetens iced tea. See our tips and techniques for stirring up a mint julep. Make a Classic Mint Julep. Moonshine-Cherry Blush Base Recipe: Basil-Lemon Moonshine is great by itself on the rocks, but our Moonshine-Cherry Blush recipe will certainly be difficult to pass up.

Add flair to your cocktail party with the Bourbon Smash: Made with orange and pineapple juice, vodka, light rum, and orange liqueur, it's a Plimlico winner in our book too. Looking for something impressive yet easy to mix up for your party?

The Old Forester Mint Julep Recipe

Simply stir together four ingredients: Garnish with thin apple slices for an elegant finish. Long Island Iced Tea.

Serve this stiff drink in a martini glass to encourage sipping and get in the New York racing mood. Try a refreshing spin on a classic mixed drink featuring frozen orange juice, limeade and lemonade. Close View all gallery.