The Kentucky Derby is an annual horse racing event that has been running since 1875. That’s more than 150 years of horse racing and related celebrations. Year after year, the Derby is known to attract affluent individuals from all over the world. Tickets from this event can range up to $10,000 or more. The Derby hats alone can be purchased at hundreds or thousands of dollars. Overall, the Derby is a very costly event to attend, with all aspects of it being very pricey.
Since 2005, the Kentucky bourbon manufacturer, Woodford Reserve has been serving a $2,500 Mint Julep at the Derby. These drinks are served in a gold cup, and inside of a “silver purse” trying to replicate that of a thoroughbred winner’s purse. This astonishingly priced drink is available to only 15 people a year.
Each year Churchill Downs sells around 100-150 gold mint juleps during derby weekend. These drinks are made from extremely rare ingredients coming from all over the world, namely imported ice from the Arctic, organic mint from Ireland, and a good amount of Bourbon.
Even the cups themselves are made from expensive materials and are created by world famous silversmiths, many of them being completely 24-karat gold-plated.
The profit generated by the gold mint juleps are given to nonprofit organizations, usually supporting equestrian care or local Kentucky causes.
