As a born and bred Kentuckian, Derby Day is *quite* the important holiday for us. No one in Texas or in my former home state of Tennessee quite understands its significance. I don’t drink bourbon, but I do on Derby Day, so get thee to the liquor store and get your Derby Day festivities on! Here is a recipe for the classic Mint Julep, and if you have some silver Julep cups to serve them in, all the better (Mom, it is time to share the wealth!)!

4 fresh mint sprigs
2 1/2 oz bourbon whiskey
1 tsp superfine sugar
2 tsp water

Muddle mint leaves, sugar, and water in a silver julep cup. Fill the cup with ice and add bourbon. Top with more ice and garnish with a mint sprig! Here is some interesting info about the history of the silver julep cup.

And here is a little joke to get you in the mood:

A group of 3rd, 4th and 5th graders, accompanied by two female teachers, went on a field trip to the local racetrack (Churchill Downs) to learn about thoroughbred horses and the supporting industry (Bourbon), but mostly to see the horses.

When it was time to take the children to the bathroom it was decided that the girls would go with one teacher and the boys would go with the other. The teacher assigned to the boys was waiting outside the men’s room when one of the boys came out and told her that none of them could reach the urinal.

Having no choice, she went inside, helped the boys with their pants, and began hoisting the little boys up one by one holding onto their “wee wees” to direct the flow.

As she lifted one, she couldn’t help but notice that he was unusually well endowed. Trying not to show that she was staring, the teacher said, “You must be in the 5th grade.”

“No, ma’am, ” he replied. “I’m the jockey riding Silver Arrow in the seventh.”