Tully Julep

As anticipation mounts for the 2009 Kentucky Derby, horseracing fans around the world convene for southern food, lively conversation, and, of course, whiskey and cocktails shared amongst friends.

According to the Derby Museum, the Mint Julep first became Churchill Down's signature drink in 1938 when they began serving the drink in souvenir glasses for 75 cents. Its history, however, dates back to 1803 when the print of the cocktail first appeared. Today, Kentucky Derby serves more than 80,000 Juleps throughout the two-day event. According to one local paper, the Louisville farmer who has grown mint for Churchill Downs since 1975, delivers more than 6,000 dozen bunches of the fresh mint to the track and area groceries during Derby week. A Derby party anywhere is not really a Derby party without mint juleps, but perhaps it’s time for a new twist on the traditional cocktail.

This year, Tullamore Dew, the last of the top 3 global Irish whiskeys still owned and managed by an Irish company, invites Derby fans everywhere to drink Irish for this year’s Derby with the creation of a brand new cocktail, the Tully Julep. Created in honor of this year’s 135th annual Kentucky Derby, the Tully Julep adds the smoothness of Irish to the fresh mint and simple syrup for an easy way to honor the winner of America’s most revered horse race.

Ireland has a rich history of horse racing. Point to pointing and jump racing (National Hunt Racing) both have Irish origins and even today, jump racing is marginally more popular than racing on the flat. The world's largest thoroughbred stud, Coolmore Stud, resides in Ireland and notable Irish trainers include Dermot Weld, John Oxx and Aidan O'Brien. So it's appropriate for the Irish to put a modern twist on the classic racing cocktail and the Tully Julep is certain to stimulate taste-buds and conversation throughout this year’s event.

TULLY JULEP

2 oz Tullamore Dew
1oz Simple Syrup
Mint leaves

Muddle mint with simple syrup and Tullamore Dew. Add crushed ice. Mix with a bar spoon until glass is frosted. Add more crushed ice. Garnish with several mint sprigs. Add straw.