The Kentucky Derby is an amazing event that draws excited fans from all over the world who want to experience the three things the Derby is known for: Horses, Kentucky Derby Hats and Mint Juleps.
The Kentucky Derby itself, is a thoroughbred horse race held at Churchill Downs in Louisvillle Kentucky on the first Saturday in May.
This annual horse racing tradition dates back to 1783 and is rich in pride and heritage. Wearing a hat to the
Kentucky Derby dates back to 1875. The tradition carried over from the United Kingdoms Royal Ascot.
I have every intention of heading to Churchill Downs to experience the Kentucky Derby at least once in my life. Circumstances did not allow me to attend this year, but I was able to experience a bit of the Derby in California this past weekend when the Santa Anita Race Track hosted their annual Derby Day.
It was a fun filled day and a great excuse to wear a big beautiful hat and vibrant dress to express my inner Southern belle. It was very cold, so half of the day, my summery coral dress was covered up with a teal
trench coat.
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| Hat: JC Penney, Hanbag: JC Pennney Dress: F-21, Nude Peep Toe Platforms: Ninewest, Ring: H&M, Braceket: Los Angeles Fashion District |
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| I Love this pump and it is actually quite comfortable |
My family is Southern and although the Mint Julep is Southern in origin, this was not a drink I ever experienced until recently. When I was younger, I used to imagine sitting in a porch swing, lags dangling prissy dress on and a mint julep in my hand.
I often saw this drink perched in the hands of those classic Southern Belle types and I used to fantasize that one day this would be me. Sippin, swingin, drinkin and looking every bit like one of those polished money havin, horse betting, petticoat wearing, mint julep drinkin, dibbet stompin, pretty hat wearin, Southern women.
The Mint Julep fantasy followed me in technicolor.
It called me until I could not resist it anymore.I finally decided to experience a Mint Julep to make my day at the Derby complete. My drink came in a tall, beautiful, cold, frosty glass rimmed with sugar and mint leaves dancing among crushed iced and bourbon. It looked every bit as enticing as I had imagined. I could not wait for the cool refreshing drink to wet my palate and titillate my senses. And then it happened.
I WAS IN LOVE! That is until I tasted the Mint Julep. My lips touched the side of the glass and I took a big swig. WTF!!!!!! The words coming out of my mouth were more like a truck driver than a Southern Belle.
There was nothing dainty or demure about this drink. I had been bamboozled into drinking what tasted like Mint leaf moonshine.
Ever had a fantasy that didn't turn out the way you thought?
As much as I wanted to love Mint Julep, she was too obnoxious for me.
If you want to live dangerously and have a rendezvous with Mint Julep, here is the recipe:
Mint Julep
2 tablespoons superfine sugar
10 spearmint leaves plus extra for garnish
1/2 cup Kentucky Bourbon
1-2 tablespoons simple syrup
Moisten a glass and dip in sugar
Put mint leaves and simple syrup into a glass. Crush leaves gently with a pestle. fill to the brim with crushed ice then pour bourbon over crushed ice. Garnish with mint leaves.
