[AMERICA'S GREATEST RACE]
Every May since 1875, twenty of the top
thoroughbreds race the 1^1 / 4 -mile dirt
track at Louisville’s Churchill Downs for
a chance to win the high-speed dash.BLACKBERRY-MINT
JULEP SPARKLER
For mint syrup: In a
saucepan combine ½ cup
sugar, 2 cups water,
and 1 cup chopped mint;
bring to boiling, stirring
to dissolve sugar. Reduce
heat and simmer
5 minutes. Pour through
a fi ne-mesh sieve,
pressing on the mint to
release liquid; discard
solids. Let cool. For each
cocktail, in a tall glass
muddle 3 mint leaves
and 2 blackberries.
Add 2 oz. bourbon and
2 Tbsp. mint syrup; stir
vigorously. Add crushed
ice and top with club
soda or sparkling water.MINT
JULEPS
Almost 120,000
of these stiff bourbon
cocktails are
served at Churchill
Downs every Derby
weekend. Our version
incorporates a
mint-infused simple
syrup, fresh berries,
and a splash of
club soda to lighten
the spirit-forward
cocktail.80 | May 2019FOOD ENTERTAINING
TRIPLE THE
MINT
Fill ice cube
trays with
fresh mint, top
with water,
and freeze
until solid.GET THE
LOOK
We incorporated light
touches of Kentucky
Derby iconography.JOCKEY SILKS
To easily identify horse
and rider, jockeys wear
vibrant silks. Channel
that pattern play by
mixing and matching
paper napkins in bright
colors and prints.
(These are from Oh
Happy Day, $4–$8 for
20–50 napkins;
ohhappyday.com.)PEWTER
Traditionally, juleps
are served in pewter
or silver cups. Bring
in touches of the
metal in your
serveware, cocktail
glasses, and bowls.RED ROSES
Tuck a few rose blooms
into bud vases as
homage to the Derby’s
offi cial fl ower: The
winning horse is
draped with a garland
of 400-plus red roses. ■ PHOTO: (RACING HORSE) GERMAN LLEDO, EYEEM/GETTY IMAGESplot theperfect get-together
no matter which book you
plan to read next, make sure
the fully coordinated
Chinet® Cut Crystal® collection
is part of your prep.
spoiler alert: you’re going to
like this ending.