One of the growing traditions surrounding the Kentucky Derby is the Woodford Reserve Mint Julep Charity Cups that go on sale each year to support a worthwhile non-profit organization. This year’s cups come in $1000 and $5000 versions, as usual. But this year is the 150th running of the famed race, so the cups are a bit special this year.
Here’s the breakdown of the 300 Woodford Reserve Mint Julep Charity Cups that were announced this week:
- 200 are silver cups, featuring 44 emeralds -priced at $1,000
- 100 are gold cups, featuring 44 crystals – priced at $5,000
The gold cups include a commemorative, limited-edition coffee table book that explores the 150 years of The Kentucky Derby.
The beneficiary of this year’s Mint Julep Cup sales is the Backside Learning Center, an “organization providing support and resources for the diverse community of racetrack workers and their families at Churchill Downs.”
Woodford Reserve is the Presenting Sponsor of the Kentucky Derby. For more information on the sale of the cups, go to woodfordreserve.com.
“We are excited to have been chosen by the Woodford Reserve team as the beneficiary of the julep cup proceeds this year. We see every day the hard work and sacrifice that is made by hundreds of people who are truly the unsung heroes of the sport. The awareness and support this opportunity will bring is critical to our important mission, as we provide transformational programs and services to a community that is so central to the industry.”
Sherry Stanley, Executive Director at The Backside Learning Center.
Rose Mint Julep
Ingredients
- 2 oz. Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- 1 tsp. of rose-infused honey simple syrup
- 6 Mint Leaves
- Miniature rose buds for garnish
Instructions
- Wipe mint leaves inside a julep cup, expressing the fragrances and flavor.
- Drop the leaves in the cup.
- Add rose-infused honey simple syrup, crushed ice and Woodford Reserve Bourbon to the cup.
- Garnish with mint and miniature rose buds.
Rose Infused Honey Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 handful Rose Hips
- 1 jar Honey
- Water
Instructions
- Put a handful of rose hips into a jar of honey.
- Let it sit for two weeks.
- Filter out rose hips.
- Use one part rose-infused honey and one part water to make simple syrup.