The Kentucky Derby is often associated with funny hats and a kind of wealth that most of us will never, ever know. So, even if it’s for a good cause, one beverage on the menu come race day may not do much to endear the sport to the common man.
USA Today reports that Churchill Downs will be serving up very special mint juleps that will cost $1,000 apiece. The high-cost drinks have actually been around for the last seven years, and over that time have generated more than $354,000 for various charities. This year’s beneficiary is Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Center.
The mint juleps are being offered by bourbon maker Woodford Reserve, and certain variations will cost you even more than the $1,000 base price tag. However, for such a steep mint (lame pun very much intended), you do get a little bit more than just spearmint leaves, bourbon, sugar and water. The drink is served in a sterling silver cup with a fine Derby-themed engraving, a “gold-plated garland of roses and a gold-plated straw.”
If you plan to be in Louisville on Derby weekend and have a spare $1,000 to spend, you can actually purchase your drink ahead of time at woodfordreservemintjulep.com. Woodford Reserving is offering up 79 drinks, plus nine drinks with more gold and one-fifth carat of diamonds for auction, online, and any unsold can be bought at the track.
Derby officials estimate that roughly 120,000 mint juleps will be purchased at Churchill Downs on Saturday. Check out a photo of one of the $2,000 “Legendary Cups” up for auction in the image below.
Photo via Twitter/@NewsDanielle
