Bourbon City Celebrates a Decade of Mint Julep Month®

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (March 30, 2023) – As the world begins the countdown to the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby, local events are already underway to celebrate Louisville’s most iconic event and its signature drink, the Mint Julep. The iconic cocktail is celebrated during Mint Julep Month®, 30 days of special events and promotions throughout Louisville.

Louisville Tourism debuted Mint Julep Month® in 2013 to draw additional attention to the city in the spring and create excitement around the build-up to Derby season and encourage visitation the entire month of April. For the tenth straight year, Mint Julep Month® will be celebrated April 1-30.

Here are ten ways to celebrate Bourbon City’s favorite springtime sipper:

All of April
Louisville Distillery Exclusive Mint Juleps | Four Area Distilleries - Distillery bars are a great way to sample your favorite Bourbon brands in hand-crafted, specialty cocktails, on-site where the spirits are created. Receive a unique Love & Victory Mint Julep lapel pin when you order a Mint Julep from Angel’s Envy, Evan Williams, Old Forester, or Stitzel-Weller distilleries during the month of April (while supplies last.)

Craft Your Own Cocktail Experience: The Mint Julep | Frazier History Museum | Thursday – Saturdays - Led by a Certified Bourbon Steward, experience how to make the official cocktail of the Kentucky Derby during this 30-minute class at the Frazier History Museum, the official starting point of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®.

Mint Julep Gear & Goodies | Local Retailers - No bourbon was involved in the making of these minty masterpieces. Find Mint Julep-inspired items like lotions at Moss Hill, candles at Maddox & Rose, and a limited edition “Party Like a Local” soap at four Louisville Buff City Soap locations.

Tableside Mint Julep Experience | Brown Hotel - Beginning this April, order an extra special Mint Julep crafted at your table at the Brown Hotel’s in-house breakfast and lunch eatery, J. Graham’s Café, celebrating the Brown’s 100th birthday. The $100 Old Carter cocktail will be personally assembled and presented tableside using unique and fresh ingredients.

Urban Bourbon Trail® | Local Bars & Restaurants - At least a dozen bars and restaurants along Louisville’s Urban Bourbon Trail® are creating their own spins on the classic springtime cocktail. Check in via PIN at six or more Urban Bourbon Trail locations to receive the coveted UBT t-shirt and a bonus souvenir mint julep cup while supplies last.

Special Events
Juleps & Jazz Cruise | Belle of Louisville | April 14 - Grab a julep and enjoy an evening of soulful and energetic brass sounds by the Hot Sauce Brass Band aboard one of the world’s oldest operating steamboats. Visit the speakeasy in the Captain’s Quarters, where Historian & Food and Beverage Curator, Andrea D. Meriwether, will provide a narrated history of the mint julep along with a bourbon shot and julep chocolate pairing.

Mint Juleps in the Gardens | Waterfront Botanical Gardens | April 17 - Visit the Waterfront Botanical Gardens after hours to eat charcuterie, sip mint juleps, and learn about the history and various riffs on the seasonal cocktail. Guests will depart with their own mint plant, which they will learn to care for during the event.

Cheer on the Derby City Juleps | Louisville Slugger Field | April 21 & 22 - Celebrate the kick-off to Derby Season in The 'Ville as the Louisville Bats play as the Derby City Mint Juleps for the first time since 2019 against the Charlotte Knights. The first 1,000 fans to arrive will receive a Derby glass.

The Botany of Derby Workshop | Yew Dell Botanical Gardens | April 26 - This workshop will teach you about the plants involved with “The Run for the Roses” including hay, pecans, mulberry leaves, and other plants (including roses,) and teach participants how these botanical treasures contribute to the most exciting two minutes in sports. Tickets include a Kentucky Colonel mint plant.

Absinthe Mint Julep Cocktail Class | Copper & Kings | April 20 & 27 - This hour-long class will guide you through a tasting of Copper & Kings Absinthe and cocktail making and also includes a Copper & Kings stainless steel branded Julep mug as a take-home gift.

Mint Julep-themed merchandise will be 25% off (some exclusions apply) through the month of April at the Louisville Visitor Center.

A more comprehensive list of local Mint Julep Month® specials and events can be found at www.mintjulepmonth.com