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It's Derby Day!

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And no Kentucky Derby is complete without a Mint Julep (or 3)!

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The first link between Mint Juleps and the Kentucky Derby dates back to the 1820s, but it wasn't until 1939 that it officially became the drink of the race. Today, more than 120,000 Mint Juleps are served over the course of the 2-day period at Churchill Downs, requiring 10,000 bottles of Old Forester Mint Julep (a blend of Bourbon and fresh mint), 1,000 pounds of fresh mint, and 60,000 pounds of ice!

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Below is the classic Mint Julep recipe according to the @kentuckyderby itself, but don't be afraid to swap out the Old Forester Mint Julep for plain old Bourbon and to mix the drink to taste (which for me is heavy on the mint and Bourbon, light on the sweetener!). You can also make a mint simple syrup for some extra minty goodness! Just make sure you don your gingham and your big hats in order to enjoy this tipple properly!

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A big thanks to @thipzy.dk for the gorgeous Mint Julep photo!