The $1000 Mint Julep
A unique collectible benefits a worthy cause!
Image courtesy Elizabeth O'Neill
A $1000 Mint Julep, made from ultra-premium ingredients. For some, it sounds like the ultimate trackside luxury; for others, it sounds like an unattainable way to sip a cocktail that they haven’t quite learned to enjoy properly. For Kentucky Derby fans in the know, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime way to give back to the horse racing community in a significant way.
Bourbon and horses are, of course, Kentucky’s two most famous industries – some would even call them Kentuckians’ most famous obsessions. And, as renowned bourbon historian Michael Veach recently noted, bourbon and horses are intertwined in more ways than we can count. Elizabeth O’Neill, Master Taster of Woodford Reserve, tells a story of her perfect Kentucky Derby moment, which marries racing and bourbon in beautiful harmony: “Last year was my first year attending the Derby in my professional capacity for Woodford instead of just as an enthusiastic spectator. I arrived at 4 a.m. to assist Chris Morris (Woodford Reserve’s Master Distiller) and Tim Laird (Brown-Forman’s Chief Entertaining Officer) in making cocktails and talking to the press about the $1000 Mint Julep. There we were at Churchill Downs on Derby morning and nobody was really there yet. We were set up for an interview near the second turn of the track and there was a moment when I was able to just enjoy watching the horses galloping and trotting during morning workouts. As a horse lover and a Kentuckian, I just thought, ‘I’m so lucky to be doing this!’"
Elizabeth O'Neill of Woodford Reserve and I recently chatted over Mint Juleps.
It’s that very spirit of thanksgiving that leads Woodford Reserve to give back to the equine community. For eleven years now, Woodford Reserve, the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby, has used the $1,000 mint julep as an outlet to raise over $425,000 for equine and humanitarian causes. This year’s $1000 Mint Julep Cup will benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, an independent 501(c) public charity that provides financial assistance to former jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries. Created in 2006 by leaders in the horseracing industry, PDJF has disbursed over $7 million dollars and currently supports 60 permanently disabled jockeys, most of whom have paralysis or traumatic brain injuries. It’s truly a remarkable charity that gives back to those jockeys who have made life-altering sacrifices in the pursuit of a sport they love.
So what makes a mint julep worthy of a $1000 or higher price tag? Unique ingredients, a rare, collectible vessel, and, of course, a charitable spirit. Ninety Crafter’s Cups, sold at $1000, will be available for purchase at the 142nd Kentucky Derby. These individually numbered cups, designed by Hamilton Shirts, feature Hamilton’s classic plaid pattern, along with the 2016 Kentucky Derby date and Woodford Reserve logo accompanied by a gold-plated sipping straw. Each Crafter’s Cup is available for $1,000. Even more rare are the fifteen gold-plated Master’s Cups, which feature a design similar to the Crafter’s Cup and are accented with diamonds and a silver sipping straw. Each Master’s Cup sells for $2,500.
As for the contents of the Julep Cup? It’s a special take on the Mint Julep created by New York mixologist Julie Renee Williams to invoke a traditional Southern dessert pecan pie. The recipe is:
Woodford Reserve 2016 Kentucky Derby Mint Julep
• 2 oz. Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select
• ¾ oz. toasted pecan orgeat syrup
• Fresh mint
• Caramelized pecan crumbles for garnish
• Edible bronze flakes
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 bronze 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.
Cheers to smooth sips, a great cause, and the magic of the Kentucky Derby!
(This post was brought to you by The Kentucky Derby Book and also appears on the book's blog. Check out The Kentucky Derby Book for an interactive look at the Greatest Two Minutes in Sports!)
Primp Style Lounge
I recently had the opportunity to play Hair Model for a day at Primp Style Lounge! Primp is an amazing resource for Louisville ladies who want to look their best, offering blowouts, hair styles, makeup application, and styling consultations.
My hair is extremely thick and curly, and I don't often splurge for blowouts. Here's how it looked when I started the day:
Soon, we were testing elaborate updos that would work for a gala or a wedding party.
I also LOVED the Marie Claire undo -- y'all, this style is only $25 and is simply perfect for summer weddings and events!
I also LOVED this bouncy ponytail that made me feel like Barbie!!
Visit Primp Style Lounge at either of their Louisville locations -- St Matthews or Middletown -- for amazing service, perfect details, and the sweetest staff ever!
The Kentucky Derby is for Everybody
Over the weekend, several folks sent me links to an article about the Dartmouth Sorority who cancelled their annual Kentucky Derby Party. The story goes that the sisters of Kappa Delta Epsilon, a local sorority at Dartmouth College, has traditionally held an annual Derby-themed spring party, but decided to cancel this year's event because their 2015 Derby party was met with Black Lives Matter protesters who claimed that the event promoted racial inequality. The KDE chapter voted almost unanimously to opt for a Woodstock-themed party this year because, in the words of the chapter president, a Derby party is "related to pre-war southern culture.”
Now, after four years as a sorority girl and more years than I can count as a sorority alumna adviser, I can tell you that the politics of these things are generally so Byzantine and Machiavellian that they'd make Thomas Cromwell's head spin. It seems that KDE is actually already under suspension for alcohol and conduct reasons, so it makes sense that they'd want to toe the line with university officials; flying under the radar certainly seems advisable in those particular circumstances.
Kentucky Derby Hats for sale at my neighborhood grocery store.
I don't care to engage in the argument that these Ivy League sorority women need to spend a little more time studying their history. (The first Kentucky Derby took place ten years after the end of the Civil War.) I will, instead, quote my own sorority sister who also happens to be a Harvard Law grad: "I assume the sorority had no idea how to throw a Derby Party." (Maybe they got their inspiration from a Mad Men episode, rather than an actually Derby event...)
The sad truth is that Ivy Leaguers in New Hampshire probably don't really get what the Kentucky Derby is all about. As a Kentuckian who loves all things Louisville and Derby-related, it is heartbreaking and infuriating for me to think of the First Saturday in May engendering connotations of racial injustice or inequality. In fact, one of the things I've always loved about the Kentucky Derby is the way that the Falls City, with a whole lot of help from the Kentucky Derby Festival Committee, creates a multi-week celebration for Louisvillians of all socioeconomic backgrounds. You may not have the means to sit on Millionaires Row, but you can certainly take in the Balloon Race, the Thunder Fireworks, or the Pegasus Parade for free. You can dine at the Chow Wagon on a quite limited budget, and infield tickets to the race itself are affordable for most anyone who wants the experience. Derby may be billed as the Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports, but for Louisvillians, the party goes on for weeks and is open to all.
Churchill Downs from Millionaires Row; this angle provides a great view of the Backside.
Even more importantly, the Derby community gives back in a meaningful way. I recently sat in a room of volunteers who were planning fundraisers for the Backside Learning Center. These folks -- racing industry insiders, Thoroughbred owners, and even a celebrated former jockey -- were donating their time and resources to help improve the quality of life for backside workers and their families. The BLC's Derby Party for the Backside -- the only opportunity for the grooms, assistant trainers, and other folks who live on site and provide daily care for the horses to enjoy a Derby-season party -- was deemed THE Derby party of the year.
Here in Kentucky, Derby is for everybody. You can buy a Derby glass for $3 at Kroger and watch the race on TV, or you can sit in luxury boxes. You can celebrate in style, or simply sing along with My Old Kentucky Home. There are little girls in my neighborhood who always set up a "mint julep" mocktail stand on Derby morning, dressed in their Sunday best. I hope the sisters of KDE read up on how to throw a more appropriate Derby party, and I hope that everyone gets to experience Louisville in May at least once; it's the best party you'll ever attend!
Amazon Prime Same-Day Delivery
This morning, I awoke to perhaps the most exciting press release I've seen in a long time. Amazon Prime has extended same-day delivery to Louisville!
Readers in Cincinnati and Nashville, y'all are getting it too!
Amazon Prime members can place an order in the morning and receive all Same-Day orders over $35 before bedtime that very same day, seven days a week – even Sunday. With these newly added areas, Prime FREE Same-Day Delivery now serves 27 metro areas in the US, accounting for more than 1,000 cities and towns.
Amazon Prime comes with multiple options for unlimited, fast free shipping. Members can use any of these options in eligible areas including:
· Prime FREE Same-Day: Members in 27 metro areas, which include more than 1,000 cities and towns, can place an order in the morning and have that order delivered before bedtime. Members can choose from a broad selection of more than a million items, seven days a week – even Sunday. Learn more about Prime FREE Same-Day at www.amazon.com/sameday.
· Prime Now: Members in more than 25 metro areas can choose from tens of thousands of everyday essentials for ultra-fast, free two-hour delivery from a dedicated mobile app. Learn more about Prime Now at www.amazon.com/primenow. Download the Prime Now App on the App Store or Google Play. Download the Prime Now App on the App Store or Google Play.
· Prime FREE Two-Day: Prime members enjoy unlimited Free Two-Day Shipping on more than 30 million items across all product categories. Two-Day Shipping spans the continental US from large cities to rural areas.
Join Amazon Prime today to experience same-day delivery for yourself!
Derby-Pie®
Perhaps the most iconic of all Kentucky Derby dishes is the Derby-Pie®; in fact, Derby is right there in the pastry’s name! Served warm or cool, with ice cream, whipped cream, or all by itself, Derby-Pie® is one of those treats that you just can’t pass up. The signature mix of chocolate chips and walnuts, the oh-so-light filling, the flaky pastry. Every time you take a bite, you feel like a cross between an amateur chef and a detective: Is that a taste of bourbon? Or maybe vanilla? No, it’s got to be a high-rye bourbon; the tartness will offset the sweetness of the chocolate…
Of course, the secrets of Derby-Pie® are closely guarded by Kern’s Kitchen, a family-owned company here in Louisville. The story goes that, in the early 1950s, George Kern was managing the restaurant at the Melrose Inn in Prospect, KY, just outside of Louisville. With the help of his parents, Walter and Leaudra Kern, George came up with a signature dessert for the restaurant. Once the recipe was perfected, the Kerns needed a great name for their creation, which combined the flavors of a chocolate chip cookie and a nut pie. So, they wrote several suggestions on slips of paper, and threw those into a hat. The winning name was, of course, Derby Pie, a reference to the big horse race just a few miles down the road. Soon, the Kerns were met with so many copycats of their delicious dessert that, in 1968, they filed for federal trademark protection of the term Derby-Pie®.
The Melrose Inn is long gone, having closed its doors in 2000, but the Kern’s Kitchen company is going strong, selling their delicious pies in restaurants and retailers throughout Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. For over fifty years, Derby-Pie® has been the taste of the Kentucky Derby for Kentuckians who are way too young to place a bet or order a mint julep, who miss their Old Kentucky Homes, or for those attending parties en route to the Derby. We may not know exactly what’s in a Derby-Pie®, but we know it tastes like Derby Season!
This post also appears on the Kentucky Derby Book blog. Special thanks to the folks at Kern's Kitchen for Derby-Pie® photos!}
Kentucky Derby Beauty with Primp Style Lounge
Tips to help you look your best on Derby day!
Kentucky Derby Day is, from a fashion standpoint, the most important day of many Kentucky ladies' year. The perfect Derby ensemble takes planning: the hat has to complement the dress, as Hat Girls Kate and Rachel reminded us last week, and the hair and makeup have to complement the hat. I sat down with Shannon Kessler, the founder of Primp Style Lounge, Louisville's premier blow dry lounge, and Cathy Shircliff, the Sales and Marketing Director for Shircliff Publishing (who also served as our model for this blog post!), to talk Derby Day beauty.
Heather C. Watson: What suggestions do you have for Derby Day beauty?
Shannon Kessler: Derby weather is unpredictable. Don’t overglam it; you could very easily wind up with raccoon eyes. Rather, take your normal look and glam it up. Enhance your daily routine, because you’ll be taking lots of pictures!
As for hair, the hat or head piece determines the hairstyle. If you’re doing a fascinator, think of your hairstyle as a trusty sidekick. Beachy waves are always a great option. If you’re wearing a big hat, let that remain a focal point. Choose a low, messy side bun, or a boho chic side braid, which can be worn up or down.
The most important tip for hair is to use the right product! You wouldn’t put the Thanksgiving turkey in the oven without seasoning it, would you? Use a memory locking product to season the hair. If you’re using the right product, you can go from Oaks to Derby without a new blowout. At Primp, we use Eufora products to properly prep your hair for a blowout that lasts several days. We do most of the prep work while the hair is still wet, and finish with hairspray once it’s dry for a finished look.
HCW: What beauty trends are you seeing for spring and Derby season?
SK: We're seeing a movement toward natural and texturized hair, not something that looks too polished or overly “done.” The look is more boho, so you don't seem so finished and fussy for the track.
As for makeup, start with a natural glow; you can transition to a more polished look for evening galas. Some of the trends we’re seeing this year are lips in soft yet bright pink shades; a lot of pink lips with smoky, neutral eyes.
HCW: What beauty tips would you provide for ladies who want to look their best on Derby Day?
SK: Set your makeup with a primer or a finishing spray for all day coverage. Of course, use waterproof mascara. For lips, use a locking color or stain so you aren’t constantly having to stop and reapply. Having a great lip gloss on hand is always a great idea!
Use the right products to prep hair, but having a 2oz hairspray on hand (if your bag allows) never hurts! Keep bobby pins in your bag! You never know when you’ll ned to secure your hat or your hair (or even your dress!) Always take a stack of band-aids; even if you don’t need them, there may be out-of-towners around who didn’t know to come prepared!
Use the right products to prep hair, but having a 2oz hairspray on hand (if your bag allows) never hurts! Keep bobby pins in your bag! You never know when you’ll ned to secure your hat or your hair (or even your dress!) Always take a stack of band-aids; even if you don’t need them, there may be out-of-towners around who didn’t know to come prepared!
Cathy Shircliff: What happens when clients come in with ideas that won’t work for them?
SK: I stress that shorter hair needs to stay down working with a full style; lots of volume. This style highlights the hair that you have – it simply won’t go into a ponytail or a low, messy bun. Often, clients come in with looks from Pinterest that are hard to replicate – their hair is often different in structure or texture from the hair used in the photo. I’ve learned to say with brides “Tell me what you like about that photo” so that we can incorporate elements into a look that works for them. For Derby, we stress making sure that the client’s hat or fascinator works with her hair type; a lot of times, short or fine hair can’t be revived for an evening look if it’s been under a heavy hat or fascinator all day.
Call Primp Style Lounge or visit their website today to book an appointment! Derby weekend appointments are nearly all booked up at Primp's St. Matthews Lounge, but the Middletown Lounge may still have some availability. Special thanks to Shannon Kessler and Samantha Stewart for providing Cathy's look, and to Merci Boutique for loaning gorgeous hats for the photo shoot!
This post also appears on the Kentucky Derby Book blog.
Kentucky Derby Glasses
Kentucky Derby Glasses are a favorite with collectors and racing fans!
Nearly every Kentucky home has a Kentucky Derby glass tucked away in a cabinet – or a full collection of the colorful glassware on display. Kentucky Derby glasses are a Derby tradition and a great souvenir of a day at the racetrack. Some are even highly desirable collectors’ items!
Kentucky Derby glasses date back to the 64th running of the Derby in 1938. The specially-produced water glasses, Churchill Downs management noticed, were so popular that they “disappeared” from the track dining rooms in large quantities. The following year, the track contracted the Libbey glass manufacturing company to produce a highball glass with color print, suitable for serving a mint julep. The rest, as they say, is history.
Many racing enthusiasts and Kentuckians have created a market for collectable Derby glasses, with the 1930s designs carrying price tags in the thousands and even tens of thousands of dollars. Derby glass enthusiasts often divide collections into pre- and post- 1974. That year, the 100th running of the Kentucky Derby, was when Derby glasses were first available for off-track sale. These days, you can pick up a Derby glass well in advance of the race at Louisville-area retailers, but the real fun comes in bringing home a souvenir of the Big Race.
While collectors pore over the variations and misprints in Derby glass runs, others use Derby glasses as daily glassware, a fun reminder of the Big Race. Nevada District Court Judge Nancy Allf is a London, KY native who moved to Las Vegas in 1982. Judge Allf’s Derby glass collection is a fun reminder of her home in the Bluegrass State. She says, “We use Derby glasses every day. It is a fun reminder of home, and always a conversation piece when we have guests over. For dinner parties, especially when introducing new people, I make sure each guest has a different year. It is an unusual but effective conversation starter.”
Whether you’re storing your Derby glasses as part of a collection or using them for cocktail hour at home, they’re a lovely Kentucky tradition that serve as a reminder of Derby all year long!
Five Fun Facts about Kentucky Derby Glasses:
· Nearly 120,000 mint juleps will be served over the two-day period of Oaks and Derby. That’s a thousand pounds of freshly harvested mint and sixty thousand pounds of ice and, of course, enough Derby glasses to hold them all!
· Derby glasses sold at the Kentucky Derby hold Old Forester Mint Julep, a ready-to-serve cocktail made with Old Forester Straight Bourbon Whisky.
· In 1940 and 1941, Kentucky Derby glasses weren’t made of glass, due to concern about the broken glass found on racetrack grounds or possibly the World War II era shortage of glass. . Aluminum tumblers held the storied mint juleps, and a limited number of glasses were distributed for backside use only. Bakelite or Beetleware glasses were issued from 1941-44.
· Since 1949, all previous Derby winners have been listed on the Derby glass, with the exception of the 1950, 1952, 1958, and 1969 glasses.
· The 1946 and 1947 Derby glasses are not recognized by collectors because mint juleps were served at those runnings of the Kentucky Derby in blank undecorated glasses.
This post was brought to you by the Kentucky Derby Book, an interactive coffee table book about the Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.