A look at the history behind the souvenir mint julep glass at Churchill Downs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - The mint julep has become an iconic Kentucky staple, now a longtime tradition of the Kentucky Derby as its official drink. The recipe may be well known, but the history behind its origins at Churchill Downs may surprise you.

The mint julep has been around for centuries and was prominent in the South in the 1800s when the Kentucky Derby started.

Kentucky Derby Museum Curator Chris Goodlett says there’s evidence that racing fans likely enjoyed mint juleps at the first Kentucky Derby in 1875.

”We can go back to some 19th century thoroughbred racing articles, and you’ll see people talk about enjoying a julep on the porch,” Goodlett said. “We have the sterling silver julep cups that were given away as trophies during horse racing events back to the early 1800s, so we have every reason to think that the first Kentucky Derby in 1875 we had mint juleps.”

In 1938, Goodlett says Churchill Downs put out branded water glasses in the clubhouse area of the track and noticed they were popular among guests – with many taking them home as souvenirs.

That’s how Churchill Downs got the idea to start selling souvenir glasses, leading to the collectible mint julep glass still being sold today.

”The idea sprang out of that year to have these glasses and charge a little extra,” Goodlett said. “So really, 1939 is recognized as the year of the official mint julep glass, and we’ve had one of those official souvenir glasses every year since.”

The design of mint julep glasses has varied a lot through the decades. In the 1940s during WWII, Churchill Downs offered a variety of mint julep cups because glass was being rationed at the height of the war. In the decades that followed, every design was unique and reflected the style of the year it was created.

However, there is one staple of the souvenir glasses that has stayed consistent.

”One thing that’s been pretty consistent, at least since the mid-40s, that people like to see on the glass is that listing of all the winners from 1875, that inaugural Derby, all the way up to present day,” Goodlett said.

The official souvenir glasses can only be bought from Churchill Downs and a few select retailers, but local businesses put their own unique spin on the mint julep cup.

The historic Louisville Stoneware Company in Paristown has its own line of mint julep cups – all made in house and painted by hand.

”We have our mint julep recipe, our twin spires, and also another very popular one is our jockey pattern,” said managing partner Jennifer Faitelson.

Faitelson, who has a background in pottery, spins clay into the shape of the cup, a process that only takes a couple of minutes. From there, the cups need a day to dry. Then they’re stamped with a design, “finished” or smoothed out, and sent to their art department to be hand painted.

During Kentucky Derby season, Faitelson says they can make hundreds of cups a week. While their signature designs are always popular around Derby, customers can also make the tradition their own by ordering their own custom design.

”If anybody wants to make a special one for their family, do something for their party that they’re having, they can also order a custom julep set with their particular design, with their family crest,” Faitelson said. “There’s a lot that we can do to customize a piece that’s special for you.”