Recipe for the famous mint julep served at the Kentucky Derby

food drink

by Adriana Diaz

The Kentucky Derby is known for its horses, hats, and mint juleps.

Churchill Downs executive chef David Danielson has shared the recipe for a popular cocktail. Served 400,000 people who passed through the gates on race day.

Although the race only lasts two minutes, drinking at the Derby is an all-day event.

In fact, an estimated 127,000 mint juleps will be served at this season’s Bluegrass State social event from bar opening at 8 a.m. to last call at 8:10 p.m.

Churchill Downs reportedly has 254,000 ounces of bourbon (or more than 10,000 750-milliliter bottles), 300 boxes of mints (approximately 4,000 pounds locally sourced from Don Gardens in Louisville, Kentucky), and juleps. They are providing 60,000 pounds of ice to make it.

You certainly don’t need that much, so decide how much to pack in your shopping cart depending on the recipe below.

Chef David Danielson’s Churchill Downs Mint Julep Recipe

1. Pour 2 ounces Woodford Reserve and simple syrup over crushed ice.
2. Stir with a spoon.
3. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs.

A classic mint julep combines bourbon, water, fresh mint, sugar, and crushed ice. However, Chef Danielson is very particular about what ingredients he uses and how he presents them.

Churchill Downs bartenders pour 2 ounces of Woodford Reserve Bourbon with each drink.

“Woodford is a very smooth bourbon,” Danielson told HuffPost. “It has a great flavor and a delicious caramel aroma.”

Next, make mint simple syrup with equal parts sugar and water, bring to a boil, steep the mint, and strain.

To save time, Danielson said you can mix a large amount of bourbon and syrup and keep it chilled in the refrigerator until you’re ready to mix the drink.

He said that when time passes, there is nothing left to do.

“Remove ice and pour [this boozy mixture] Decorate from the top and you’re literally off to the races,” says Pro, pointing out that a six- to seven-leaf mint sprig is a classic decoration.

“Historically, the julep was a symbol of prosperity,” Danielson said. “Ice was a commodity, so when you wanted to entertain people or show yourself in society, you showed people that you had ice.If you had a heap of crushed ice in a glass, You were doing really well.”