mint julep tours kentucky

Choose Your Destination

• Bourbon Distilleries

Horse Farms

• Beer and Wine

Sightseeing

Ready to book a public tour.

Use our easy online booking tool to find tours visiting your favorite Kentucky bourbon distilleries.

Shop public tours

Contact Mint Julep

Call us today at 502-583-1433 or email [email protected] .

• Bourbon Tours
• Horse Farm Tours
• Brewery Tours
• Gift Certificates
• Custom Bourbon Tours & More
• Special Occasions
• Corporate Outings
• VIP Transportation
• Request Custom Tour
• Derby Tours
• Derby Events
• 2024 Bardstown Collection 2-Day Experience
• Heaven and Evan Experience
• Secrets of Bluegrass Chefs
• Brunch & Bourbon Adventure
• Single Barrel Select Program
• Maker’s Mark Barrel Select
• Work for Mint Julep
• Join Newsletter

Kentucky Destinations

Discover the possibilities of the Bluegrass State

With hundreds of things to do in Kentucky, Mint Julep is the best tour company to take you wherever you want to go! Our team designs your day incorporating bourbon distillery tours, horse farm tours, wine tours, beer tours, food tours, Louisville sightseeing and beyond.

Whether you want to find the best bourbon on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® or to see legendary race horses in Horse Country, we serve as your local tour guide. Public and private tour options give you endless choices for a Bluegrass adventure unlike any other.

We can tell you what to do and places to go in Louisville and Kentucky to create a fun-filled outing tailored to your interests on a customized tour. In addition, you can hop on one of our public tour buses for a pre-planned journey to some of our favorite places.

Distilleries

Tour bourbon distillers and taste a variety of craft spirits

Visit stud farms that are home to Derby winners, nurseries with foals, or training facilities

Discover the best local restaurants or go inside kitchens of artisan food makers

See the State through historic landmarks, colorful murals and charming places

Find your new favorite beer and go behind-the-scenes at Louisville's best craft breweries

Travel the rolling hills of Kentucky to meet vintners using time-honored techniques to create signature wines

Read about the enthusiastic tour leaders and drivers who will navigate your experience

Reasons why thousands of travelers have worked with Mint Julep since 2008

Search for public tour dates, customized tour offerings and upcoming experiences

Mint Julep Experiences - Louisville

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Mint Julep Experiences - Louisville - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Bourbon Experience
• Arts & Entertainment
• History & Culture
• Spas & Wellness
• Daily Tours & Exhibits
• Restaurant Listings
• Top Restaurants
• Top Breakfast & Brunch Spots
• Lou's Brews
• Regional Foods
• Urban Bourbon Trail
• Coffee & Tea Shops
• Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants
• Hotels & Motels
• Bed & Breakfasts
• Short Term Rentals
• Book a Room
• Annual Festivals & Events
• Butchertown
• Clifton & Crescent Hill
• East Louisville
• The Highlands
• Old Louisville
• Shelby Park & Smoketown
• South Louisville
• Southern Indiana
• West Louisville
• Visitor Guide
• Newsletter Signup
• Visitor Center
• Louisville Transportation
• Weather & What to Pack
• Relocating?
• Online Reservations
• Destination Services
• Sports Events
• Group Travel Planning Toolkit
• International Travel
• Travel Advisors
• Contact Tourism Development
• Get Involved
• Stay in Touch
• Rose Awards
• Partner Login
• Media Requests
• Story Ideas
• Development Projects
• Filming in Louisville
• Marketing Plan
• Diversity & Inclusion
• Destination Strategic Plan
• Research & Publications
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Privacy Policy

Loading your recommendations…

• Calendar Of Events
• Where to Stay
• Attraction Tickets

Mint Julep Experiences

210 W Liberty St. Louisville, KY 40202

Phone: (502) 583-1433

Related Deals

10% off store purchase with a purchase of a tour

Show us your badge to receive 10% off store purchase with a purchase of a tour.

301 South 4th Street Louisville, Kentucky 40202

1.888.LOUISVILLE (1.888.568.4784)

Mint Julep Experiences - Louisville

Services Offered

Verified by Business

Virtual Consultations

Review Highlights

“ It was a tremendous experience using Mint Julep Tours for a 3-day Bourbon Trail adventure (group of four guys). ” in 34 reviews

“ Toby made our entire day so easy and understood exactly what stops would make our day on the bourbon Trail perfect! ” in 40 reviews

“ Not everything was available or open, but it was great that she was able to fit in Buffalo Trace into our tour. ” in 24 reviews

Location & Hours

Suggest an edit

210 W Liberty St

Louisville, KY 40202

Fourth Street, Downtown

Serving Louisville Area

You Might Also Consider

City Taste Tours

Our tour is a Sightseeing Tour, Hop-on/Hop-off Attractions Tour, Bourbon Tour, Wine Tour, Beer Tour, Food Tour and History Tour. The Best of Louisville in One Fun Tour!! On your tour adventure you will enjoy stops into Churchill… read more

in Food Tours, Wine Tours, Historical Tours

Taste of Bardstown

Experience the flavors of Bardstown like never before with our immersive walking tour, the 'Taste of Bardstown'! Join us as we embark on a delightful journey through the heart of Kentucky's bourbon capital. read more

in Food Tours, Walking Tours

Good Vibes Transportation

We offer luxury transportation service to airport,bourbon trail, and any events needed. From weddings to concerts or to that big game we are here for all your transportation needs. read more

Amenities and More

About the business.

Business owner information

Business Owner

From fully customized outings to crafted public experiences, Mint Julep Experiences is Kentucky's premier destination management company for the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, legendary horse farms, historic landmarks and the Commonwealth's rich culinary scene. As one of Condé Nast Traveler's "Best Guided Drinking Tours in America," our one-of-a-kind, family-owned tour company offers transportation and event planning services for hassle-free ventures for any size group including corporate outings and V.I.P. excursions. Based in Louisville, Mint Julep Tours' team of bourbon experts, veteran tour guides and city concierges do it all to help you explore the living history of Kentucky in comfort and style. Whether you're traveling with us through Bourbon Country, historic Louisville, or visiting a horse farm, your tour will be inspired by our commitment to sharing Kentucky traditions. We have a love and passion for Kentucky that we are excited to share with you as our guest! Our team has proven that we continually exceed expectations by offering quality itineraries packed with interesting history, fun facts, and picturesque locations resulting in truly memorable experiences. …

Ask the Community

Ask a question

Do they offer pick-up/drop-off at your hotel?

No they do not; we asked that as well; we all met at the designated location at their gift shop inside a downtown Hotel.

Anybody know the cost?

This will depend on what kind of tour you would like to book! Give us a call for pricing.

Recommended Reviews

• 1 star rating Not good
• 2 star rating Could’ve been better
• 3 star rating OK
• 4 star rating Good
• 5 star rating Great

Select your rating

Overall rating

266 reviews

We had a fantastic tour experience. The best part was since we were a small group of 6 we had time to go to an additional distillery. This was our first guided tour, I now think it is worth the money to go on a guided tour. You get personal service, you get the knowledge of the tour guide, and the group of friends feeling after a bourbon tasting or three. However, you are on a schedule, but we never felt rushed.

We had a great time visiting several distilleries on the KY Bourbon trail! We were scheduled for 3 places but they added a few additional quick stops in between which was a pleasant surprise and the lunch location was also tasty! Nelson (driver) and Cindy (tour guide) were both very helpful and professional and shared lots of great information and history on bourbon and Kentucky in general. Highly recommend this tour!!

What a great day! We did the brunch and bourbon tour. Started with a nice brunch and a cocktail. They needed to make sure we had a good base in our stomach before we started out to the tastings. Then out to the country to Bulleit and a very nice tour of the facility and a very unique tasting. Grabbed a cocktail, some lovely bourbon and off to the next stop. It was a smaller bourbon house and another tasting. What a great day! The guide Dan and Michael were very entertaining. I can't recommend them enough!

Derrick, our tour guide, was knowledgeable, engaging, had the entire bus laughing throughout the rides. Distillery tours were well programmed and each one of the stops were enjoyable.

Absolutely fantastic! Our tour guide, Colonel Ron was so much fun! Lot's of history and bourbon!! Definitely a MUST!

See all photos from John D. for Mint Julep Experiences - Louisville

So much fun! We had the best time and the best experience on this tour. If you have the opportunity to try this, I definitely would. (and see if you can get Bobby as your tour guide). Everyone was so friendly and we all truly learned so much.

Great tour. Cindy was awesome. Woodford reserve and angels envy were great. The included lunch was excellent. Highly recommend.

This was an amazing tour! We decided to do this instead of renting a car and touring ourselves; best decision! The tour guides are so knowledgeable and it takes a lot of work off you in deciding route and which tour to choose. Our guide from Mint Julep, Cindy, was awesome and fun. We enjoyed meeting other people on our bus and we loved the distillery choices. The guides at the distilleries were the best and we loved the lunch in the historic inn. It was well worth the money!

See all photos from Amy N. for Mint Julep Experiences - Louisville

Feb 12, 2024

Amy, Thank you for allowing up to be part of your Kentucky Bourbon experience. Our Public Tours are a fantastic way to experience the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and make new friends. We will make sure to pass the compliment on to Cindy. Thanks for choosing Mint Julep Experiences.

My husband & I came down to Kentucky for a bourbon tour experience - Jeannie was fabulous - great communication and super friendly. We had a private driver for our tours, and Chuck was the best! We will refer both Mint Julep and Chuck as the driver to all of our friends looking to make this trip. We will use Mint Julep again, without a doubt!

See all photos from Dawn D. for Mint Julep Experiences - Louisville

Dawn, Thank you for the great review! Our sales and tour leader staff work hard to make each tour an adventure. We will pass the compliment on to Chuck and Jeannie. Thanks again.

Cindy and Dan were excellent hosts! Shared a lot of helpful hints and local history stories.

100 other reviews that are not currently recommended

Alyssa Heeke, Smart Moms Travel

I am the owner of Alyssa Heeke Travel, LLC and a travel planner who specializes in Disney, Universal, and cruises. I also book all-inclusive vacations, and more! I am an authorized travel planner with Disney and Universal, in… read more

in Travel Agents

Kentucky Derby Museum

3.4 miles away from Mint Julep Experiences - Louisville

Kentucky Derby Museum, where every day is Derby day! Kentucky Derby Museum, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in Louisville, Kentucky has a commitment to engage, educate, and excite everyone about the extraordinary experience that… read more

in Walking Tours, Museums

Collections Including Mint Julep Experiences - Louisville

Derby at home with Louisville businesses (food, drinks, virtual events and more!)

By Emily H.

Bluegrass and Bourbon

By Gregg M.

Louisville KY Explorer

By Jennifer L.

Louisville, KY

By Jason H.

By Ragan L.

By Carol S.

By Christina P.

People Also Viewed

Kentucky Bourbon Boys

Bourbon Hall Tours & Tastings

Stitzel-Weller Distillery

Travel the Trail

Bourbon Excursions

Kentucky Bourbon Bus

Copper & Kings Distillery

Evan Williams Bourbon Experience

Angel’s Envy

Best of Louisville

Things to do in Louisville

Other Places Nearby

Find more Beer Tours near Mint Julep Experiences - Louisville

Find more Bus Tours near Mint Julep Experiences - Louisville

Find more Historical Tours near Mint Julep Experiences - Louisville

People found Mint Julep Experiences - Louisville by searching for…

Bachelor Party Louisville

Bachelorette Party Louisville

Bourbon Distillery Louisville

Bourbon Tasting Louisville

Bourbon Tours Louisville

Bourbon Trail Louisville

Dinner Cruise Louisville

Distillery Tours Louisville

Horse Carriage Ride Louisville

Horse Farm Louisville

River Cruise Louisville

Shuttle Services Louisville

Browse Nearby

Restaurants

Transportation

Travel Services

Beer Tours Near Me

Bus Tours Near Me

Day Trips Near Me

Microbreweries Near Me

Service Offerings in Louisville

Related cost guides.

Town Car Service

Your version of Microsoft Internet Explorer is not supported for secure online transactions. Would you like to update your IE browser?

• Accommodations
• Experiences
• All Hotels & Resorts
• Select Guest Overview
• Member Benefits
• Member Tiers
• Select Planner
• Terms and Conditions
• My Reservation
• #My Reservation
• #Select Guest

Make a Reservation

Omni Louisville Hotel - Louisville, KY

I have flexible dates

  ,  

Special rates

Senior Discount (ages 55+)

Government/Military

Select Guest® member? Use free nights

Redeem your Select Guest free nights! If available, multiple free night certificates may be used for a single stay, however each certificate must be booked separately. Once your first reservation is confirmed you will be prompted to reserve additional nights on a separate reservation.

• Omni Louisville Hotel
• Things to Do
• Area Attractions
• Mint Julep Experiences

Mint Julep Experiences: Where the purpose of fun is to have some

We’ve been in operation since 2008 and have received more than 2,500 five-star reviews from TripAdvisor, Yelp and Facebook, and have been awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for 10 straight years, landing us in the TripAdvisor Hall of Fame. We also operate a hub in Nashville, Tenn., thus linking the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® with the Tennessee Whiskey Trail and offering even more touring opportunities in both regions.

Best of all, we do all the booking, scheduling and planning, so all you have to do is sit back and let us whisk-ey you away!

THE TRAVELER’S GUIDE

• All of our tours depart from the Mint Julep Experiences Hub inside the Omni Hotel’s Falls City Market.
• Tours include transportation, guaranteed departures, informative and entertaining guides, guaranteed distillery tour tickets, lunch and much more.
• We offer many public and custom tours that can be tailored to any need. See our representative at our Omni Hub or visit mintjuleptours.com
• Public Bourbon Tours
• Custom Tours
• Elevated Experiences
• Tuk Tuk Tours

Take a trip to Kentucky’s legendary bourbon distilleries — from the big operations like Jim Beam, Buffalo Trace, Maker’s Mark and Woodford Reserve to quaint distilleries like Jeptha Creed, Barton 1792 and Bulleit Distilling. We plan your day on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail ® from start to finish. All public tours include transportation to three different distilleries, plus lunch.

Want to create your own Kentucky Bourbon Trail itinerary for a private group? This would be the perfect experience for a birthday party, bachelor or bachelorette party, anniversary, office outing and so much more. We will design your day and maximize your time for groups of all sizes. Also, several bourbon distilleries, craft breweries and food artisans offer exclusive tastings or private tours only available to Mint Julep Experiences customers. We can book one-day tours or multiple-day excursions.

We partner with Kentucky’s best bourbon distilleries, restaurants and destinations for special events throughout the year. Each of our elevated experiences takes you on a one-of-a-kind adventure . For instance, you can go behind the scenes of a taping of “Secrets of Bluegrass Chefs,” visit the Brown-Forman Cooperage, or go on two one-of-a-kind distillery tours on the Heaven & Evan ultimate bourbon experience.

Mint Julep Experiences launched the Bourbon City Cruisers, a fleet of electric-powered Tuk Tuks, in 2019. They offer a fun and intimate way to explore downtown Louisville with three separate tours: the Ultimate Sightseeing Tour, the Ultimate Distillery Tour and the Ultimate Urban Bourbon Cocktail Cruise. Each Bourbon City Cruiser fits up to six people, and the latter two tours include a cocktail with the price of admission. Tours are 2.5-3 hours long.

Guest Favorites

At omni louisville hotel.

Romance Package

enjoy a bottle of sparkling wine paired with artisanal chocolates, late check-out and more, all to ensure your stay is the perfect romantic getaway

Free WiFi with Loyalty Program

Enjoy complimentary perks and privileges as a member of the Select Guest® Loyalty Program.

Neighborhood Services

Enjoy “honest food & drink in the American tradition" at our warm and welcoming restaurant from renowned chef Nick Badovinus.

• Infographics
• Press Releases
• Newsletter Signup

Discover Distilleries

Featured distilleries.

Featured Cocktail

See all featured cocktails .  How to feature your cocktail .

Popular Categories

Featured suppliers.

How to  Feature My Product.

• View all Jobs

Mint Julep Experiences

Subscribe and Enjoy The latest Distilled Spirits News.

Subscribe to the DistilleryTrail FREE newsletter.

• More Networks

Mint Julep Experiences In Kentucky Organizes Bucket-List Worthy Trips For Bourbon Enthusiasts

Sarah McCosham

I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books. I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.

More by this Author

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail is a quintessential and celebrated part of life in the Bluegrass. Our state produces 95% of the world’s bourbon , and to say this is a big point of pride for the Bluegrass is an understatement. Here in Kentucky, we eat, sleep, breathe (and drink!) bourbon, and it’s not simply a spirit or business; it’s an inextricable part of our culture. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail is a Bluegrass icon; an experience each and every Kentuckian ought to have on their bucket list. And in terms of taking the Kentucky Bourbon Trail to the next level, Mint Julep Experiences organizes tours and trips for bourbon enthusiasts that are memorable, once-in-a-lifetime, bucket-list-worthy  experiences.

Related Stories

Take A Unique Crystal Clear Kayak Tour Through The Caves Of Kentucky

Ride The Amtrak Through Kentucky's Appalachian Mountains For Just $28

Ride A Magical Christmas Lights Train And Enjoy Even More Holiday Magic At Southern Lights In Kentucky

When was the last time you had an adventure on the Bourbon Trail? Go big or go home, we say: book one of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail tours from Mint Julep Experiences !

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Want more Kentucky in your inbox?

Get the latest on things to see, do, and eat around Kentucky!

An error occured.

Related Articles

• Kentucky Just Wouldn't Be The Same Without These 7 Charming Small Towns
• Ogle Victorian Mansions Decked To The Nines On This Holiday Home Tour In Kentucky
• You Can't Help But Fall In Love With Shelbyville, The Small Town In Kentucky That's Impossibly Charming
• The Charming Kentucky Town Where You Can Quite Literally Take A Walk Back In Time
• Grab Some Pizza And Rent A Boat At This Awesome Spot In Kentucky
• Visit Kentucky's Only Underground Coal Mine On This Epic Tour
• Bike, Hike, And Kayak On This Brand-New Trail In Kentucky
• The Scenic Train Ride In Kentucky That Runs Year-Round

Explore Kentucky

• Arts & Entertainment
• Farms & Wildlife
• Fun Adventures
• Shops & Boutiques
• Sights & Landmarks

Featured Addresses

Mint Julep Tours

We are the ONLY dedicated tour company focused on The Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

View >>

Mint Julep Bourbon Trail Tours

We offer knowledgeable & entertaining bourbon experts to guide and enrich the experience.

Mint Julep Tours - Bourbon Trail Tours

Louisville, KY 40202 Phone: 502-583-1433

View Website Free Custom Golf Quote

Bourbon Trail Tour

~ Inquire For Custom Package and Pricing Dates: Now - 12/31/24

Free Newsletter

Calendar of Events

Top 13 things to do, plant-friendly, diversity, equity & inclusion, new restaurants, convention center, request for proposal, mint julep tours.

From fully customized outings to crafted public tour experiences, Mint Julep is Kentucky’s premier destination management company for the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, legendary horse farms, historic landmarks and Commonwealth’s rich culinary scene. As one of Conde Nast Traveler’s “Best Guided Drinking Tours in America,” the one-of-a-kind, family-owned tour company offers transportation and event planning services for hassle-free ventures for any size group including corporate outings and V.I.P. excursions.

Best of Kentucky Derby Week Tour - Horse Country

• Location: Mint Julep Tours
• Dates vary between May 1, 2024 - May 5, 2024

Best of Kentucky Derby Week Tour - Horse Country & Bourbon Country

In the neighborhood.

Here are a few of the best places to visit within walking distance or a quick drive

Travel Guides

Here are a few of our favorite guides to help you plan your lexington experience. dig in, the bourbon country guide.

Discover the time-honored traditions involved in crafting America’s Native Spirit and learn...

The Horse Country Guide

There is much to be discovered in the rolling hills of Kentucky’s Horse Country, which has...

The Foodie’s Guide

Do the words “local,” “fresh,” and “eccentric” resonate...

How to Get Outside in Lexington

Lexington is famous for its rolling hills and beautiful horse farms. But when you look a little

Free Visitors Guide

Request a printed copy of our Visitors Guide and learn more about everything the Horse Capital of the World has to offer.

Let's get social

• Mission Statement
• Privacy Policy
• LEX for Good

Lexington Visitors Center 215 W Main St, Suite 75 Lexington, KY 40507 (800) 845-3959  | (859) 233-7299

Additional Contact Information

© 2024 VisitLEX

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. By using our site, you agree to our updated Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use.

Discover the Ultimate Bourbon Experience: The 2024 Mint Julep Tour x Bardstown Collection VIP Tour

BARDSTOWN, KY. (April 25, 2024) – Bourbon aficionados, mark your calendars and prepare your palates for an unparalleled adventure through the heart of the Bourbon Capital of the World®. The 2024 Mint Julep Tour x Bardstown Collection VIP Experience is set to deliver an exclusive, multi-day adventure that promises an unparalleled immersion into the world of bourbon, complete with VIP transportation, elevated tours, premium tastings, and guaranteed access to the highly coveted Bardstown Collection bottles from seven renowned distilleries.

Two times a month, for two days throughout June – August, participants will be treated to an unforgettable exploration of Bardstown, home to some of the most revered bourbon distilleries in the world. This exceptional tour offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to delve into the rich heritage and craftsmanship behind Kentucky’s signature spirit. Each ticket includes the following:

Start-to-Finish Excellence

With meticulous attention to detail, Mint Julep Experiences ensures a seamless journey from start to finish. With a dedicated Bardstown Tourism tour leader guiding every step, guests can relax and immerse themselves in the ultimate bourbon experience.

VIP Transportation with Mint Julep Experiences

Guests will travel in style and comfort with VIP transportation services provided by Mint Julep Experiences. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenic beauty of Kentucky as you’re chauffeured from one iconic distillery to the next.

All-Access Pass to 7 Kentucky Bourbon Distilleries

Gain exclusive access to seven of Kentucky’s most esteemed bourbon distilleries, including Bardstown Bourbon Co., Heaven Hill, James B. Beam Distilling Co., Limestone Branch Distillery, Log Still Distillery, Lux Row, and Preservation Distillery. Immerse yourself in behind-the-scenes tours, premium tastings, and hands-on experiences that offer a deeper understanding of the bourbon-making process.

Guaranteed Access to Purchase the 2024 Bardstown Collection Bottles

As VIP guests, participants will enjoy exclusive access to purchase the highly sought-after 2024 Bardstown Collection bottles from each participating distillery. This is the only other time to purchase these seven limited-edition releases. Bottle purchases are not included in the ticket price, ensuring that guests have the opportunity to add these rare gems to their collection.

Local Lunches and Gratuity Included

Savor the flavors of Kentucky with delicious, locally sourced lunches provided throughout the tour. With gratuity included, you can relax and enjoy the experience without any additional hassle.

Dates Tours Offered

June 20 & 21

June 27 & 28

July 11 & 12

July 18 & 19

August 8 & 9

August 22 & 23

Tickets for the 2024 Mint Julep Tours x Bardstown Collection VIP Experience are on sale now. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to embark on an unparalleled immersion in the Bourbon Capital of the World.

For more information and tickets, go to bardstowncollection.com and https://mintjuleptours.com/louisville/bardstown-collection-multi-day-bourbon-experience/  

For hotel information and special Bardstown Collection rates, go to https://visitbardstown.com/listing/the-bardstown-collection-x-mint-julep-tour-experience/ . 

About Bardstown: Located in the heart of the Bluegrass State, Bardstown offers the ultimate bourbon getaway. With 11 unique distilleries within 16 miles of court square, all your bourbon dreams can come true here in Bardstown, the Bourbon Capital of The World. Settled in 1780,

Bardstown is Kentucky’s second-oldest city so come see us for our unrivaled history. Throughout Nelson County, there are more than 300 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, with nearly 200 of them located in the historic downtown district. Here in Bardstown, you’ll find the friendly attitude and Southern charm that can only be found in such a town.

For more information, go to www.VisitBardstown.com . 

Media Contacts

TURNER Visit Bardstown 

[email protected]

[email protected]  

303-333-1402

502-348-4877

A Complete Guide to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail

Everything you need to know to sample your way around the land of wild turkey and maker’s mark..

• Copy Link copied

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail extends throughout the Bluegrass State from big cities to historic hamlets like Bardstown, which has been dubbed the Bourbon Capital of the World.

Photo by Jason Busa/Shutterstock

For whiskey lovers, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail is a bucket-list trip, full of opportunities to visit distilleries and learn about bourbon—plus, of course, plenty of sampling along the way.

Kentucky is the spiritual home of bourbon, an American whiskey made with at least 51 percent corn and aged in new, charred, white oak barrels. That said, many Kentucky distilleries also make other types of whiskey (like rye or American single malts) or other types of spirits. But if you’re headed to Kentucky, it’s a safe bet that you’ll find plenty of bourbon, first and foremost—including some pours you can’t find anywhere else. Here’s how to navigate the world of Kentucky bourbon.

What is the Kentucky Bourbon Trail?

The official Kentucky Bourbon Trail exists under the auspices of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (who have trademarked the phrase), and it includes 18 distilleries, as well as 32 smaller distilleries designated as the “ Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour. ” This official trail doesn’t necessarily include every bourbon producer in the state. But it’s still a pretty comprehensive overview, and the KBT provides a useful way to organize a visit—including a website with plenty of maps and links. Those who prefer a hard-copy guide can purchase a Bourbon Trail Passport & Field Guide ($15) with similar info. Kentucky’s bourbon distilleries are sprawled across the state, with most of them within about 100 miles from Louisville, the logical starting point for the journey.

How long to spend

It’s possible to visit a good number of the best-known distilleries within three or four days. Most visitors use Louisville as a home base, spending a day or two exploring the city’s “Whiskey Row” and other distilleries within city limits. From there, it makes sense to drive about an hour east toward Lexington, perhaps visiting Wild Turkey, Four Roses, and Woodford Reserve, before returning to Louisville. The following day, head southbound toward Loretto, home of Maker’s Mark, stopping at Bardstown and its distilleries along the way. Expect to spend an hour or two at each distillery; visiting two or three distilleries a day is a realistic pace.

Quite a few are located farther afield, in more rural areas, meaning more travel time is necessary to get there. (Green River, in Owensboro, is furthest removed; it’s even in a different time zone, though it’s only about 100 miles from Louisville.)

For people who want to visit all 18 distilleries, the KBT recommends at least four days. However, a week to nine days might make for a more relaxed and enjoyable experience, particularly for those who want to visit craft distilleries along the way or make a detour to explore surrounding areas.

In addition, the KBT recommends at least a week to visit the Kentucky Craft Distillery circuit; many of the facilities are near the core KBT distilleries or en route. It’s worth doing a little advance planning and mapping to maximize visits.

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail consists of numerous well-known distilleries—and plenty of lesser-known spots equally worth a visit.

Courtesy of @GoToLouisville@GoToLouisville

Which distilleries are on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail?

There are 18 KBT distilleries —it’s essentially a who’s who of the bourbon names you’ll spot at a well-stocked bar or liquor store:

• Angel’s Envy
• Bardstown Bourbon Co.
• Evan Williams
• Four Roses Distillery ; Four Roses Warehouse & Bottling (two different locations)
• Green River
• Heaven Hill
• James B. Beam
• Maker’s Mark
• Old Forester
• Rabbit Hole
• Stitzel-Weller
• Town Branch
• Wild Turkey
• Wilderness Trail
• Woodford Reserve

How to get around

Within Louisville, it’s easy to reach distilleries on foot or via taxis or rideshares. Beyond city limits, you need a car to get around; particularly in more rural areas, ridesharing isn’t always available. To delegate the transportation and/or planning, consider booking tours with a company like the famous Mint Julep or Pegasus Distillery Tours . They’ll shuttle you or your group around; many of the tours focus on specific interests, like culinary or horse farm tours, or offer VIP access to tastings or other experiences. However you’re getting around, don’t drink and drive.

How to plan a distillery visit

Planning ahead is strongly encouraged. Many distilleries are closed during the week (most often Monday and/or Tuesday), and hours may vary, so check a distillery’s website before heading out. (Also: Note that part of Kentucky is in the Central time zone, so you may need to factor that in.) For those traveling with kids: Some places welcome all ages, while others are limited to those 21 years old and over.

Do you need reservations for the Kentucky Bourbon Trail?

Not always, but it helps, particularly during the peak summer and fall tourist seasons. That said, many tours are reservation only and charge a fee. Most cost around $25, but that can range much higher when special bottlings or cocktails are involved, and they tend to run about 60 to 90 minutes.

In general, visiting two or three distilleries in a day is plenty. Most tours cover the same “how-bourbon-is-made” info, and especially if you’re sampling, it all starts to add up. But it’s well worth it for bourbon fans looking to learn about America’s native whiskey and snap up hard-to-find bottles to add to a collection.

The historic Old Forester Distilling Co. is one of the major stops on Louisville’s Whiskey Row.

Photo by Joseph Hendrickson/Shutterstock

Start in Louisville

Louisville is ideal as a home base for a bourbon tour: In addition to distillery experiences available within city limits, it’s also relatively central to Lexington, Clermont, and Bardstown and has plenty of appealing bars, restaurants, and cultural attractions.

Start with Whiskey Row, which is home to Michter’s Fort Nelson Distillery (and its top-notch bar), Old Forester Distilling (keep an eye out for special whiskey drops here), and Angel’s Envy . From there, the NuLu district offers the modern design of Rabbit Hole Distillery and its second-floor Overlook bar, with drinks by the Death & Co. team. Grab a rideshare for the five-mile drive to West Louisville to tour the historic Stitzel-Weller Distillery , which opened in 1935 but had been closed to the public for many years. (Attention horse fans: The Kentucky Derby Museum is nearby.)

Among the smaller Craft Trail distilleries nearby in downtown Louisville: Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. and Copper & Kings, an industrial-chic space that started as a brandy facility and has only recently begun producing bourbon. Look for the monarch butterfly garden out front and the rooftop restaurant/bar with sweeping city views.

When the distilleries close, continue bourbon tasting at Louisville bars like the Silver Dollar , a Bakersfield-style honky-tonk owned by whiskey expert Larry Rice; Trouble Bar , where you choose among flights curated by local experts; or the 1920s-inspired Neat Bourbon Bar & Bottle Shop .

Where to stay in Louisville

Consider a stay at Hotel Distil , a bourbon-themed hotel located in a historic building on Louisville’s “Whiskey Row”; the boutique-y 21c Museum Hotel is also home to stellar restaurant Proof on Main .

You could also try Galt House Hotel , a much larger venue with views of the Ohio River, or the genteel Brown Hotel , which dates back to 1923 and offers skyline views from the restored rooftop garden.

Day trip options from Louisville

Visit a couple of distilleries during each of these day trips with Louisville as a convenient home base, or combine them for a longer road trip. Here are a few potential options to build an itinerary.

1. Clermont

From Louisville, it’s about a 30-minute drive south to Clermont to reach James B. Beam Distilling—known for making Jim Beam, Knob Creek, and Basil Hayden, among others. They’ve been busy over at Beam: In 2022, the distillery cut the ribbon on a new $45 million “homestead experience.” The new space includes the Kitchen Table , a 5,000-square-foot restaurant and bar, and the Fred B. Noe Craft Distillery, a facility to explore new fermentation and distillation techniques.

2. Bardstown

Either starting out from Louisville or continuing on from Beam, head to Heaven Hill , the family-owned distillery that makes such legendary brands as Elijah Craig, Old Fitzgerald, and Henry McKenna, among many others. While the company’s new $200 million distillery is slated to open at the end of 2024, this remains a fine place to learn about bourbon production and snap up exclusive bottles.

See also two sleek, state-of-the-art newcomers: Lux Row Distillers and Bardstown Bourbon Company (the latter focuses on elaborate bourbon blends).

You’ll love strolling the grounds of the Maker’s Mark Distillery, which has been designated a National Historic Landmark.

Photo by Fiona Young-Brown/Shutterstock

3. Lebanon/Loretto

Maker’s Mark is on many a bourbon lover’s must-see list. Visit the distillery and tour the grounds, but don’t leave without dipping your own bottle in the iconic red wax.

This might be the endpoint of a route heading south through Clermont and/or Bardstown. Since the distillery is fairly remote from Louisville, plan to stay overnight—if possible, at the Samuels House , an Airbnb-style house rental owned by the family behind Maker’s Mark, stocked with a collection of whiskey memorabilia.

Add on a tour of the Kentucky Cooperage Visitor Center to learn how barrels are made, and see firsthand how they’re charred with a burst of flame—a key part of the bourbon-making process. (Note: You can also go directly from Louisville to Maker’s Mark by helicopter .)

4. Frankfort/Lexington

From Louisville, it’s also about an hour east to Frankfort, home of Buffalo Trace . Choose from several different themed tours of the sprawling facility, such as the “Old Taylor Tour,” which focuses on the legacy of E.H. Taylor, who revolutionized the bourbon industry; or a tour through the property’s arboretum and botanical gardens.

Continue on to Four Roses in Lawrenceburg, housed in a 1910 mission-style building, or Woodford Reserve in Versailles (pronounced “ver-sales”). Of note, Lexington, the “Horse Capital of the World,” is home to multitudes of thoroughbreds, so consider adding a horse farm tour to your itinerary.

5. Danville

About an hour south of Lexington, the picturesque Wilderness Trail Distillery is in the heart of the Bluegrass region. The distillery is a relative newcomer, having launched in 2012 and releasing its first bourbon in 2018. In that short time, it has garnered plenty of attention and is already expanding capacity. Starting with 44 acres, the distillery purchased another 124 acres in 2021, adding six new fermentation tanks and six new barrel houses.

This article originally appeared online in August 2022; it was updated most recently on April 24, 2024, to include current information.

• Trip Advisor

Let's chat about the possibilities

Jim Beam American Stillhouse

Fans of Jim Beam will love the behind-the-scenes tour experience at the world-renowned distillery. Guided tours of Jim Beam take you through the process of whiskey making from start to finish. See the bottling line for Knob Creek — and even get a chance to bottle your own bourbon. Plus, see how bourbon is produced, aged and perfected here.

Jim Beam Bourbon Distillery Tour

The Beam name has been known for great bourbon for many years. Get a family history on your tour and walk through several aspects of the distilling process. Learn about grains, water, yeast and more. Also, breathe in the sweet smells of aging bourbon in the air (known as the “angel’s share”) in a working rickhouse.

Mint Julep Experiences offers bourbon tours to Jim Beam several days a week.

Jim Beam Bourbon Tastings

One of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail’s most unique tasting offerings is at Jim Beam. Each tour ends with your choice of a wide range of Beam brands. Pick any three from a long list that may include Baker’s, Basil Hayden, Booker’s, Knob Creek and several Jim Beam classic and flavored expressions.

BOOK A MINT JULEP TOUR HERE

Things to know about Jim Beam

Frequently asked questions.

Where is Jim Beam made?

Jim Beam is made at 526 Happy Hollow Road in Clermont, Ky.

Who owns Jim Beam?

Jim Beam is owned by Beam Suntory, a Japanese distilled beverage company.

What bourbons and whiskeys does Jim Beam produce?

Sister brands to Jim Beam include Baker’s, Basil Hayden, Booker’s, Knob Creek, Red Stag, Old Crow, Old Grand Dad, Old Overholt, Old Tub and Old Bourbon Hollow.

Is Jim Beam on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail?

Yes, Jim Beam is a member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® with two distillery locations. Jim Beam American Stillhouse is in Bardstown, Ky. Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse is in downtown Louisville. You can stamp your Bourbon Trail® passport at either location.

Which distilleries are near Jim Beam?

Jim Beam is near Bardstown, the Bourbon Capital of the World, so there are plenty of bourbon tour options nearby. Distilleries near Jim Beam include Maker’s Mark, Willett, Heaven Hill and Lux Row.

Where can I find out more about Jim Beam?

Learn about Jim Beam at jimbeam.com .

Start Planning Your Kentucky Bourbon Distillery Tour

Let’s start planning your ultimate Kentucky bourbon distillery tour today! We offer a variety of public tours as well as custom-made experiences that are tailored to your every bourbon desire.

CONTACT AN EXPERIENCE COORDINATOR

Mint Julep Experiences - Louisville

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Mint Julep Experiences - Louisville - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

More From Forbes

You need to try the hottest dish at the coolest ballpark.

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

There’s nothing like a steaming bowl of curry to chase away the spring chills at Seattle Mariners home games. Here’s where you’ll find that creation that’s on fire on social media.

Pork Katsu Curry is the must-try dish at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, especially during the chilly ... [+] spring Mariners games.

Way more than popcorn, peanuts and Crackerjack

Fans who fill the seats at T-Mobile Park in Seattle know they’re going to be well fed when they come to the ballpark.

Beyond the traditional stadium fare — yes, of course, you can score a hot dog — there’s a restaurant-driven menu that’s endlessly interesting:

• Spam musubi and tofu tots at the two Marination stands
• An all-star lineup from Li’l Woody’s , including the popular Garlic Fries Burger
• Deep-dish Dungeness crab pizza from Moto
• Seriously fun scoops from Salt & Straw
• Drool-worthy Birria Tortas at Edgar’s Cantina
• Ivar’s clam chowder
• New York-style slices from Ballard Pizza Company
• And Kidd Valley ’s world-famous Garlic Fries

But the most exciting dish in the ballpark this season comes from the stadium rookie, Tamari Bar , where they’re bringing the heat like a Luis Castillo fast ball.

Tamari Bar chef Makato Kimoto has been arriving very early to the T-Mobile ballpark to prepare the ... [+] spicy fare served during the Seattle Mariners home games.

The Best Romantic Comedy Of The Last Year Just Hit Netflix

Apple iphone 16 unique all new design promised in new report, rudy giuliani and mark meadows indicted in arizona fake electors case, tamari bar is no newcomer.

This restaurant group was founded in Seattle in 2014 and has locations in Vancouver, B.C., and Toronto. Its mission is to “disseminate Japanese culture, Japanese food, and Japanese people.”

The Seattle Times called the izakaya “effervescent fun” in a 2018 review .

While it was a featured pop-up during last year’s season, this year, Tamari Bar has found its home in the spacious stand that was last Din Tai Fung. It’s on the main concourse near the Mariners Hall of Fame.

Though the lines may be long, they move quickly. The crew behind the counter does a stellar job of prepping the bowls of the Area 206 Ton-katsue curry before the crispy panko-breaded pork cutlet is placed on top before serving.

On a chilly day and especially on a cold night during the spring games, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as that warming curry. The spices come together in a rich, balanced sauce that’s not so hot it’s going to make you feel as if you’re auditioning for Hot Ones .

But just in case, it’s probably a good idea to order Tamari Bar’s outstanding house-made ginger ale. It’s a real winner and a fantastic complement to the curry.

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

What's With That? Is this new drink more popular than a mint julep at the Kentucky Derby?

There may be no other American sporting event with a more popular cocktail associated with it than the iconic mint julep at the Kentucky Derby .

Since the 1930s, this bourbon, simple syrup, and mint concoction has been the official drink of the Kentucky Derby. Around 127,000 mint juleps are sold at Churchill Downs the weekend of the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby but a new drink is giving the old favorite a run for its money.

The Woodford Reserve Spire, named for Woodford Reserve, the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby and the iconic architectural Twin Spires of Churchill Downs, is rapidly overtaking the mint julep in popularity.

Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall says the refreshing mixture of lemonade and cranberry juice makes The Woodford Reserve Spire a winner.

McCall said the exact number of Woodford Reserve Spire cocktails sold over the two-day Kentucky Derby weekend has not been confirmed but it appears the two cocktails are now running neck and neck in popularity.

Does that mean the mint julep is being left behind the dust? Certainly not, the mint julep has a long history at the racetrack.

"Your Derby weekend should always include a mint julep," McCall said. "It is part of the history and tradition of the Kentucky Derby."

But, if you're looking to try something new, here's how to make the Woodford Reserve Spire. And learn more in our "What's With That" video series.

How to make the Woodford Reserve Spire Cocktail

• 1-and-1/2-ounces Woodford Reserve bourbon
• 2 ounces lemonade
• .05-ounce cranberry juice
• Lemon twist, for garnish

Combine the bourbon, lemonade and cranberry juice in a rocks glass filled with ice. Stir the mixture, garnish with the lemon twist and serve.

Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at [email protected].

Kentucky Bourbon Tour with Mint Julep Experiences

Upcoming Dates For This Event:

Newsletter signup.

Sign up for our Newsletter & Receive Insider Tips, Area Events, News & Special Promotions...

• Distillery Tours
• Things to Do
• Plan Your Visit
• All About Bourbon
• Social Media
• Bourbon News
• Visitor Centers

Find A Room

Just like enjoying bourbon, there are many ways to experience it by staying in a variety of places from romantic countryside to vibrant downtown cities.

• Value of Culinary Education
• Financing Your Education
• Austin Student Life
• Boulder Student Life
• Culinary & Pastry Careers
• Hospitality Careers
• Health & Wellness Careers
• Food Entrepreneurship
• Success Stories
• World of Food & Drink
• Recipes & Techniques
• Culinary Arts
• Baking & Pastry Arts
• Blog Search

• Financial Aid
• Career Services
• Online Culinary Arts Programs
• Austin Culinary Arts Programs
• Boulder Culinary Arts Programs
• Online Baking & Pastry Programs
• Austin Baking & Pastry Programs
• Boulder Baking & Pastry Programs
• Food Entrepreneurship Programs
• Plant-Based Programs
• Holistic Nutrition & Wellness Programs
• Hospitality & Restaurant Operations Management
• Enthusiast Cooking Classes
• Find Your Program
• Tuition & Fees
• Financial Aid Overview
• Federal Financial Aid Programs
• Scholarships & Grants
• GI Bill ® for Military & Veterans
• Contact Financial Aid
• New Student Checklist
• Military & Veterans
• High School Students
• International Students
• Student Stories
• Admissions Overview
• Application Process
• Open Houses & Events
• Schedule a Tour
• Student Housing
• Online Programs
• Austin, Texas Campus
• Boulder, Colorado Campus
• Our Chef Instructors
• Farm To Table ® Experience
• Accreditations
• Vision, Mission, & Core Values
• Alumni Profiles
• History & Timeline
• Request Information
• Student Login
• (855) 955-7555
• Search for:

Winning Recipes: Trotting Through the Kentucky Derby Kitchen

Escoffier is running for the roses with five delicious derby-themed recipes. Chef Instructor Luke Shaffer has compiled a time-tested classic menu from the starting gate to the finish line.

Take the Culinary Career Survey

We’ve compiled a checklist of all of the essential questions into one handy tool: career options, culinary interest surveys, educational opportunities, and more.

Clicking the "Get the Survey Now" button constitutes your express request, and your express written consent, to be contacted by and to receive automated or pre-recorded call, texts, messages and/or emails from via phone, text, and/or emails by Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts at the number(s)/email you provided, regarding furthering your education and enrolling. You understand that these calls , texts, messages and/or emails may be generated using an automated or pre-recorded technology. You are not required to agree to receive automated or pre-recorded calls, texts, messages or emails as a condition of enrolling at Escoffier. You can unsubscribe at any time or request removal of street address, phone number, email address via Escoffier website .

Whether you’re a die-hard horse racing fan, or just love watching the pageantry and grace of the thoroughbreds on the first weekend of May, The Kentucky Derby isn’t all horsing around.  It’s getting down to business, whether that involves the race, choosing the perfect fascinator, or eating festive derby fare.

Can’t make it to Churchill Downs this year, no worries. We’re running for the roses with five delicious derby-themed recipes that are sure to help you celebrate in style. Escoffier Chef Instructor Luke Shaffer has compiled a time-tested classic menu from the starting gate to the finish line, including:

• Pimento Cheese
• Hot Brown Sandwich
• Kentucky Derby Chocolate Walnut Pie

Old Fashioned

Classic Pimento Cheese

Ingredients

• 8 oz, divided  Sharp cheddar cheese, block, shredded (do not use pre-shredded cheese)
• ½ c  Cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 c  divided, Mayonnaise, Duke’s brand preferred
• 2 oz Pickled pimentos, drained, diced
• 2 tsp  Hot sauce, Crystal or Louisiana brand preferred
• 2 tsp  Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tsp  Cajun seasoning
• As needed  Kosher salt

Directions:

• In a food processor, combine half of the shredded cheese, cream cheese, mayo, half of the pimentos, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, cajun seasoning and a pinch of salt. Pulse until combined, scraping sides as needed.
• Add the second portion of cheese and pimentos, and pulse 3-4 times, until combined into the mixture, but not smooth.
• Remove to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to one week (if it lasts that long).
• Serve as the filling for a sandwich, a condiment for a sandwich, or as a dip for crackers or crudités.

Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwich

YIELDS: 4 servings

• 1 qt  Hot Brown Sauce
• 12 ea  White bread, toasted, crusts removed
• 1 ½ lbs  Roasted turkey, thick sliced
• 2 oz  Parmesan cheese, grated
• 12 ea  Roma tomato, wedges
• 12 ea  Thick cut bacon, cooked crispy

Hot Brown Sauce

• ½ c  All-purpose flour
• ½ c  Unsalted butter
• 1 qt  Whole milk
• 6 oz  Heavy cream
• 6 oz  Romano cheese, grated
• As needed  Black pepper, ground

Hot Brown Sauce Directions

• Heat a heavy-bottom sauce pot over medium heat.
• Melt butter.
• Whisk in flour until smooth to form a roux – it should be the consistency of wet sand.
• Cook for about 3 minutes, but do not allow to brown.
• Whisk in milk and cook until thickened – stir regularly to prevent scorching.
• Once thickened, remove from heat, whisk in heavy cream and Romano cheese until smooth.
• Sauce may be used immediately for Hot Brown Sandwich, or cooled, and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Hot Brown Sandwich Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 F
• Cut toast into triangles and distribute between six oven-proof dishes (2 slices each).
• Top each slice with 4 ounces of turkey. Then 4 ounces of sauce.
• Bake until the sauce is bubbly and golden brown (about 15 minutes).
• Top each sandwich with bacon, tomato, and Parmesan. Return to oven until cheese melts.

Kentucky Derby Chocolat Walnut Pie

• 1 c  Brown sugar
• 2 ea  Eggs, beaten
• ½ c  Unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 2 Tbsp  Kentucky bourbon
• 1 c  Walnuts, chopped
• 1 ¼ c  Semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 tsp  Vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp  Kosher salt
• 1 ea  Pie crust
• Preheat the oven to 350 F.
• Combine the flour and brown sugar in a mixing bowl.
• Add the eggs and melted and cooled butter, and mix to combine.
• Stir in the bourbon, walnuts, chocolate chips, vanilla, and salt.
• Pour the mixture into the unbaked pie crust.
• Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the filling is set. Set the pie on a wire rack and let cool completely before slicing.
• Serve as is, or topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

• 8 ea  Fresh mint leaves, removed from stem
• ¼ oz  Simple syrup
• 2 oz  Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey
• 1 ea  Fresh mint sprig for garnish
• As needed  Crushed ice
• In a julep cup (or rocks glass) muddle mint leaves and simple syrup.
• Add bourbon and fill the glass tightly with crushed ice.
• Stir until the cup frosts on the outside.
• Top with more crushed ice and garnish with a mint sprig.

• 1 Bar Spoon  Simply Syrup
• 3 Dashes Angostura Bitters
• 2 oz  Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Add all ingredients into a mixing glass, in order
• Place ice in rocks glass and in mixing glass
• Stir mixing glass until chilled.
• Strain into rocks glass.
• Garnish with orange peel.

DID YOU LIKE THESE RECIPES? CHECK OUT THESE NEXT!:

• Mardi Gras Magic: Festive Fat Tuesday Recipes for a Flavorful Celebration
• How To Make The Five Mother Sauces
• How to Make a Blackberry Galette

Latest Articles

Fiesta flavors: spicing up cinco de mayo celebrations.

At Escoffier, we love a good party, and Cinco de Mayo probably ranks as one of the best! In the United States, we celebrate the day with dance, song, and, of course.... food!

Functional Foods & Superfoods: Everything You Need to Know

Confused about functional foods & superfoods? Debunk misconceptions, learn what they really can do, and elevate your eating habits for better health.

Commercial Baking: A Guide to Scaling Your Bakery Business

Take your bakery business to the next level with this guide to help you scale successfully.

Subscribe to the King of Chefs Blog

Get the King of Chefs email newsletter delivered to your inbox weekly. You'll get everything you need to know about culinary & pastry careers, food entrepreneurship, financing your culinary education, and more.

The Essential Culinary School Planner & Checklist

We’ve compiled a checklist of all of the essential questions into one handy workbook: Career options, academic plans, financing your education, and more.

Clicking the "Get the Workbook Now" button constitutes your express request, and your express written consent, to be contacted by and to receive automated or pre-recorded call, texts, messages and/or emails from via phone, text, and/or emails by Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts at the number(s)/email you provided, regarding furthering your education and enrolling. You understand that these calls , texts, messages and/or emails may be generated using an automated or pre-recorded technology. You are not required to agree to receive automated or pre-recorded calls, texts, messages or emails as a condition of enrolling at Escoffier. You can unsubscribe at any time or request removal of street address, phone number, email address via Escoffier website .

• Today's news
• Reviews and deals
• Climate change
• 2024 election
• Fall allergies
• Health news
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Family health
• So mini ways
• Unapologetically
• Buying guides

Entertainment

• How to Watch
• My watchlist
• Stock market
• Biden economy
• Personal finance
• Stocks: most active
• Stocks: gainers
• Stocks: losers
• Trending tickers
• World indices
• US Treasury bonds
• Top mutual funds
• Highest open interest
• Highest implied volatility
• Currency converter
• Basic materials
• Communication services
• Consumer cyclical
• Consumer defensive
• Financial services
• Industrials
• Real estate
• Mutual funds
• Credit cards
• Credit card rates
• Balance transfer credit cards
• Business credit cards
• Cash back credit cards
• Rewards credit cards
• Travel credit cards
• Checking accounts
• Online checking accounts
• High-yield savings accounts
• Money market accounts
• Personal loans
• Student loans
• Car insurance
• Home buying
• Options pit
• Investment ideas
• Research reports
• Fantasy football
• Pro Pick 'Em
• College Pick 'Em
• Fantasy baseball
• Fantasy hockey
• Fantasy basketball
• Download the app
• Daily fantasy
• Scores and schedules
• GameChannel
• World Baseball Classic
• Premier League
• CONCACAF League
• Champions League
• Motorsports
• Horse racing
• Newsletters

New on Yahoo

• Privacy Dashboard

You'll Love This Mint Julep Recipe: It's a Sweet 3-Ingredient Sip for the Kentucky Derby

If your Kentucky Derby festivities on May 4 include having a mint julep in hand, you’ve come to the right place. Making this cocktail is simple with just 3 ingredients. Before you know it, you'll have a drink that's sweet, minty and refreshing. You can even prep ready-to-serve mint juleps for a Derby watch party using a mixologist's 5-step method. Keep reading for tips on making this beloved cocktail from the comfort of your home!

What is a mint julep?

This cocktail is often made with bourbon, simple syrup (a sugar and water sweetener) and fresh mint. Once combined, this drink is traditionally served out of a silver julep cup before it's topped with crushed ice and garnished with mint. What you end up with is a sweet and refreshing drink that has a rich boozy kick.

The mint julep and the Kentucky Derby's history

Although the mint julep is a Kentucky Derby favorite, it was surprisingly first used as a health elixir in the 1700s. "The bourbon could help soothe the aches and pains, with sugar to soften the alcohol and mint to freshen the breath," Elizabeth McCall , master distiller of Woodford Reserve (the Kentucky Derby's official bourbon), explains to Vogue . Fast forward to 1875, this drink, now known as a thirst-quenching cocktail to beat the heat, is served at the first Derby race. Chris Goodlett , the Kentucky Derby Museum’s senior director of curatorial and educational affairs, highlights that it was already "a part of racing culture , not just the Derby." But it didn't become the official drink of the event until 1938 — several years after Prohibition ended. The rest is history as nearly 120,000 mint juleps are sold every year at the two-day horse racing event. However, it's easy to make a homemade version of this drink in mere minutes!

Mixologist's secret to a flavorful mint mint julep

As the name suggests, fresh mint takes center stage to give this drink a cooling essence. To maximize this herb's flavor, mixologist Jamie Boudreau  recommends smacking the mint between your hands. (Yes, you read that correctly.) It turns out this trick releases the essential oils in the herb without bruising the leaves. Therefore, you'll have a more intense mint flavor in your cocktail along with a pop of color. Boudreau says all you need to do is place your desired amount of mint leaves in one hand and smack it with the other. From there, he notes you're ready to "start building your mint julep, and away you go." Watch his demonstration at the 1:13 mark of this video posted on Howdini's YouTube channel .

Related: Don’t Discard Mint or Basil! Use Them To Make Herb-Infused Cocktails (2 Recipes)

How to make a single mint julep

It doesn't get better than this Traditional Mint Julep recipe from Andy Wahl , co-founder of Daylight Wine & Spirits . The recipe uses Ammunition Straight Bourbon Whiskey for hints of caramel and vanilla flavors. But you can use your favorite bourbon and even a zero-proof kind for a non-alcoholic version. This drink is sure to quench your thirst as you're watching the Derby race unfold!

Ingredients:

2 oz. bourbon

8 mint leaves, smacked

¼ oz. simple syrup (store-bought or homemade)

Mint sprig, for garnish

Directions:

Total time: 5 mins

Yield: 1 drink

Pour bourbon, simple syrup and smacked mint leaves into large silver cup or clean glass. Stir rapidly until ingredients are combined.

Top with crushed ice. Stir again and garnish with mint sprig. Serve.

Note: If desired, strain drink into separate ice-filled cup.

How to make a batch of mint juleps for a crowd

If you want to make mint juleps for up to 10 people, try this make-ahead method from Molly Horn , chief mixologist and spirits educator at Total Wine & More . It requires some prep, but it's worth it as you can store the entire mixed drink in the fridge and serve it in seconds the next day!

1. Make a mint extract.

Place ½ cup of bourbon (from a 750 ml bottle) and handful of smacked mint leaves into a small airtight container. Cover and sit at room temperature for an hour. Strain the extract into a sieve placed over a small bowl or measuring cup and set liquid aside.

2. Sweeten the bourbon base.

Pour the remaining bottle of bourbon into a large bowl, saving the container to use for storing the julep later. Gradually add plain simple syrup to the alcohol to taste. A good rule of thumb is to start with ¼ cup and add more if needed. (Keep in mind that chilling this mixture will heighten the sweetness, so you don’t want it to be  overly  sweet.)

3. Assemble the julep.

Once the bourbon base reaches your desired sweetness, stir in the mint extract.

4. Chill the drink.

Using a funnel, pour the julep into the empty bourbon bottle. Place cap back onto the bottle (if possible) or cover and chill overnight.

5. Garnish and serve.

When it's time to pour each serving into a cup, have plenty of crushed ice and fresh mint sprigs on hand to garnish.

Bonus trick for the most refreshing mint julep

For a touch of fizz, Horn finishes the cocktail with champagne. “My absolute favorite way to enhance the experience of a mint julep is to top it with champagne — delicious!” she says. Do this just before adorning the drink with mint as it's a nice twist to the classic cocktail. (Learn how to store opened champagne so the rest of the bottle maintains its bubbles.)

Read on for more tasty cocktail recipes!

Move Over, Margarita — Insiders Say That The Paloma Is the #1 Tequila Drink — Here’s Why

6 Moonshine Cocktails That Are Delicious, Modern Takes on the Outlaw Spirit

Pineapple Margaritas Are So Easy to Make at Home — Mixologist Reveals the Secret

Recommended Stories

'i returned my apple watch': the fitbit versa 4 is on sale for just $150 — that's 25% off.

Track your heart rate, calories burned and sleep with the latest and greatest Fitbit Versa.

Tennis legend Billie Jean King says she’s using weight loss medication to help treat her binge eating disorder. Experts explain how it works.

The 80-year-old revealed in a recent podcast that she received her first few doses of the medication.

Stock market today: Stocks slide after GDP report prompts inflation, growth concerns

Meta's AI reality check has dented hopes for a Big Tech revival for stocks, with a GDP update showing the US economy grew slower than expected in the first quarter.

Health insurance giant Kaiser notifies millions of a data breach

U.S. health conglomerate Kaiser is notifying millions of its members of a data breach earlier this month. In a legally required notice filed with the U.S. government on April 12 but made public on Thursday, the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan confirmed that 13.4 million residents had information taken in a data breach. The notice did not share the specific nature of the data breach, describing the incident only as "unauthorized access/disclosure" involving a network server.

How we test meal kits

Trying to solve the dinner dilemma? We've sampled the most popular delivery services on the market so you don't have to.

Chipotle CFO said diners will keep burritos in their budget, as US GDP growth slows

Chipotle is seeing all income cohorts spend more and visit more frequently.

MLB is reviving Players Weekend, but without nicknames on the special jerseys

MLB is bringing back its Players Weekend but without the feature that made the showcase popular with fans.

Heat shock Celtics, Ingram's future in NO & the Knicks-Villanova connection | No Cap Room

Jake Fischer and Dan Devine recap the NBA playoff games from Wednesday night and preview Thursday night’s action.

This 'soft, comfortable' cooling bamboo queen sheet set with 132,000+ fans is just $28 (that's over 50% off)

The wildly popular bedding is naturally moisture-wicking and resistant to pesky pilling.

Genesis G80 EV Magma Concept comes in hot at Beijing Auto Show

The Genesis G80 EV Magma Concept just sprang to life at the 2024 Beijing Auto Show.

• Nick Zaccardi ,

• John Newby ,

Trending Teams

Kentucky derby triple crown history: winners by year, latest horse to win, records.

• NBC Sports Staff ,
• NBC Sports Staff

The first Saturday in May is almost upon us, bringing with it arguably the biggest day in horse racing: the Kentucky Derby. 2024 marks the 150th running of the iconic race — 150 years of pageantry, history and iconic moments at Kentucky’s Churchill Downs.

While the Derby in and of itself is an accomplishments trainers, owners, and jockeys dream of, it can also be the start of the journey to an incredibly rare feat: the Triple Crown. The Derby itself actually predates the awarding of the Triple Crown, as do the Belmont and the Preakness (the first Derby was run in 1875). But in well over a century of history, only a handful of horses have won the Triple Crown.

See below for the history of the Triple Crown and past winners, as well as how to watch this year’s Kentucky Derby.

Kentucky Derby traditions: Hats, food, winner’s circle, Garland of Roses, dresses

What three races make up the Triple Crown?

The Triple Crown of horse racing consists of three races for three-year-old thoroughbred horses: the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes.

RELATED: How to Watch the 2024 Kentucky Derby

How many horses have won the Triple Crown?

A total of 13 horses have won the Triple Crown, which is among the most prestigious accomplishments in horse racing and all of sports. Perhaps the most famous Triple Crown winner, Secretariat, accomplished the feat just over 50 years ago, in 1973. His record-setting accomplishments were memorialized in the eponymous 2010 movie starring Diane Lane.

Past Triple Crown Winners

Here is the full list of all 13 past Triple Crown winners, from most to least recent:

• Justify (2018)
• American Pharoah (2015)
• Affirmed (1978)
• Seattle Slew (1977)
• Secretariat (1973)
• Citation (1948)
• Assault (1946)
• Count Fleet (1943)
• Whirlaway (1941)
• War Admiral (1937)
• Omaha (1935)
• Gallant Fox (1930)
• Sir Barton (1919)

Who was the last horse to win the Triple Crown?

Ahead of the 2024 Kentucky Derby, which marks the 150th running of the iconic race, we don’t have to look too far back for the most recent example of a Triple Crown winner: six years ago, in 2018, Justify hit the trifecta with wins in the Derby, Preakness and Belmont.

When is the 2024 Kentucky Derby?

The 150th running of the Kentucky Derby is set for Saturday, May 4th. Coverage airs on NBC and Peacock beginning at 2:30pm ET.

Click here for all the information you need to prepare for the 2024 Kentucky Derby .