Is there anything more decadent than the Kentucky Derby? How about watching the Kentucky Derby live at Churchill Downs while sipping a mint julep out of a $5,000 cup?
Woodford Reserve is celebrating this year’s race with a special charity program that pairs excellence with tradition and giving. It’s the $5,000 Mint Julep Charity Cup program, and it’s exactly what it sounds like, offering the chance to buy one of 151 hand-crafted mint julep cups for a hefty price tag that benefits Our Mims Retirement Haven for fillies and broodmares.
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Only 151 will be made in honor of the Kentucky Derby’s 151st year. Of the 151 cups, 51 are made of fine polished pewter, to be sold for $1,000, and 100 are made from sterling silver with 24-karat gold plating, to be sold for the full $5,000.
The cups are designed by Josh Merideth of Makers Agency and crafted by Louisville jeweler From the Vault. Both cups are adorned with sterling silver accents, including a relief of the Derby trophy, and both shimmer with lab-gron white and pink sapphires.
"As we anticipate the 151st Run for the Roses, we celebrate the exceptional fillies who have etched their names in Derby history," Elizabeth McCall, Master Distiller at Woodford Reserve, is quoted in a press release. "Perhaps this year we will witness the crowning of another champion filly."
“We are honored that the Woodford Reserve team selected us as the philanthropic partner of their mint julep charity cup program this year,” says Pete Mirabito, President of Our Mims Retirement Haven. “Fillies and mares are the backbone of the industry. This partnership will allow us to further rescue, revitalize and care for these retired thoroughbred racehorses and broodmares.”
These cups may be pre-purchased but must be picked up at Churchills Downs, either during the special $5,000 Mint Julep Cup Experience during The Kentucky Oaks preparty on Friday, May 2, or at the actual Kentucky Derby race on Saturday, May 3. Pre-purchased can be made at woodfordreserve.com.
Looking for a way to celebrate at home? Make this Kentucky Derby mint julep cocktail from Woodford Reserve in your own cup and cheer on your favorite filly from the comfort of home.
The Filly Mint Julep
- 2 oz. Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- One barspoon of hand-crafted simple syrup
- 1 sprig of Chocolate Mint
- 1 spring of Peppermint
- 1 spring of Spearmint
Directions: Mix bourbon and simple syrup in the bottom of a julep cup, then fill with crushed ice. Garnish with three springs of mint.
