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Tale of Two Traditions

This is a story of the merging of 2 great Kentucky traditions, the world famous Kentucky Derby and its drink of choice, The Mint Julep. The most authentic experience you can have at the Kentucky Derby is enjoying an Old Forrester Mint Julep. Get your silver cups ready, its Derby time!

Through history, the mint julep, served in its infamous silver cup, has become an iconic Old Forrestersymbol of the Derby. Track goers alike have been enjoying mint juleps for years using Old Forrester, Louisville’s Hometown Bourbon, so much so that in 2015, The Kentucky Derby made Old Forrester’s Mint Julep the Official Drink of The Kentucky Derby.

Rich with history and tradition, Old Forrester was introduced by George Garvin Brown on Whiskey Row in 1870. The bourbon was especially popular among Kentucky socialites when it became America’s First Bottled Bourbon.

During this same time, the mint julep was being introduced in southern states. There is often a debated history as to how this essential southern tradition came about but there is no denying that the beloved cocktail is a necessary ritual when it comes to Derby time.

The mint julep was to become the signature cocktail for Churchill Downs in 1938 when they started selling the mixture in souvenir glasses for 75 cents. Since then, the cocktail has been widely praised for its exceptionally smooth taste and crisp refreshing finish.

Every year more than 100,000 mint juleps are consumed over the 2-day period of the Derby spectacle. The recipe for the weekend calls for 10,000 bottles of ready to drink Old Forrester Mint Julep, 1,000 pounds of freshly harvested mint, and 60,000 pounds of ice!

In honor of this tradition, Old Forrester has created the ready to drink Mint Julep, right in the bottle! Want to be a part of the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby? Stop by your favorite Payless Liquor store to pick up a bottle of Old Forester’s Ready to Drink Mint Julep and get a taste of this Kentucky tradition! We recommend reserving a bottle through the Contact Us page to ensure you are able to partake in the festivities on May 7th. Annnnnnd they’re off…..!!