Woodford Reserve
What would you pay for a well-made Mint Julep? Ten to twenty dollars doesn’t sound unreasonable if it has great bourbon in the recipe. But, would you be willing to pay $1,000 for the Kentucky Derby staple? Woodford Reserve’s Master Distiller Chris Morris recently partnered with men’s clothing line Hamilton Shirts and New York-based mixologist Julie Renee Williams to create this $1,000 Mint Julep Cup.
The sale of the cocktail will benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. This year’s Mint Julep recipe is in homage of the southern comfort-food staple pecan pie. It’s made using Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select, toasted pecan orgeat syrup, fresh mint, caramelized pecan crumbles and edible copper flakes (in reference to the copper mint julep cup the drink is historically imbibed from).
Woodford Reserve Master Distiller, Chris Morris is a believer in a combination of classic and contemporary. “Woodford Reserve prides itself on producing bourbon with a flavor that blends our historic past with our current innovative style, and this year’s special Mint Julep recipe does just that.”
Woodford Reserve® 2016 Kentucky Derby® Mint Julep
Ingredients:
- 2oz Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select
- .75oz Toasted Pecan Orgeat Syrup
- Fresh Mint
- Caramelized pecan crumbles for garnish
- Edible copper flakes
Preparation:
Rub fresh mint around julep cup. Combine ingredients with crushed ice and swizzle in glass. Add more crushed ice, garnish with mint bunch, caramelized pecan crumbles and edible copper flakes.
To make toasted pecan orgeat, toast pecans, mix or muddle into small pieces and simmer on low heat to create a nut milk. Fine strain or use a nut milk bag to remove nut pieces, and add equal parts sugar to liquid.
Houston-based Hamilton Shirts designed the $1,000 cup and it was produced by From the Vault, a Louisville-based jeweler. “The $1,000 Mint Julep Cup is representative of our approach to design, with an engraved classic plaid graphic and stitch beading,” says David Hamilton, co-owner of Hamilton Shirts. He added, “As a family-owned company rooted in heritage and tradition, we’re honored to be a part of an event as iconic as the Kentucky Derby, and thrilled to work alongside Woodford Reserve.” Hamilton didn’t just design the cups, they also created the fabric lining each commemorative box.
“Partnering with two talented artists represents our commitment to create an unparalleled experience for Kentucky Derby fans,” says Morris. “Woodford Reserve has donated more than $425,000 to equine and humanitarian-related causes through this program, and we are proud to continue to positively impact these communities through this year’s $1,000 Mint Julep Cup.”
Every year, Woodford Reserve picks a different charity to donate to. This year, they selected the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. A fitting organization for a horse racing related fundraiser. The organization helps provide financial assistance for former jockeys who have suffered serious injuries while racing. “The Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund greatly appreciates being chosen once again by Woodford Reserve to receive the funds raised by their $1,000 Mint Julep Cup program,” said Nancy LaSala, the organization’s president. “We are grateful for their contribution and help in continuing to aid injured jockeys.”
If you want to purchase a cup, you can do so up until May 6th at noon. You must be over 21 years old (obviously) and you can visit www.woodfordreservemintjulep.com to get either a Crafter’s Cup or a Master’s Cup. The Crafter’s Cup is $1,000 and the gold-plated Master’s Cup is $2,500. Only ninety Crafter’s Cups are available (they went on sale on April 26th) and only fifteen Master’s Cups are available (good luck getting one).
