Every year, Woodford Reserve releases a $1000 and a $5000 Mint Julep to support a charity. The $1000 Mint Julep comes in a commemorative sterling silver cup and the $5000 Mint Julep comes in a commemorative gold cup. This year’s cups were designed by From The Vault Jewelers.

Proceeds for this venture will go to Backside Learning, an organization that provides support for backside race track workers and their families at Churchill Downs.

There will be 200 silver cups available and 100 gold cups. The gold cup comes with a commemorative 150th Kentucky Derby coffee table book. Cups can be picked up on Oaks Day or Derby Day at Churchill Downs in the Woodford Reserve Mint Julep Experience tent. Additionally, for the first time, these cups can be ordered and will be delivered in time for Derby festivities.

Cups are on sale now at Woodford Reserve‘s website.

The official Mint Julep recipe this year is very simple:

The Rose Mint Julep

Directions: Wipe mint leaves inside a julep cup, expressing the fragrances and flavor. Drop the leaves in the cup. Add rose-infused honey simple syrup, crushed ice and Woodford Reserve Bourbon to the cup. Garnish with mint and miniature rose buds.

Rose-infused Honey Simple Syrup

Put a handful of rose hips into a jar of honey. Let it sit for two weeks. Filter out any remaining rose hips.  Add one part rose-infused honey and one part water to make simple syrup.

Photos Courtesy of Maggie Kimberl