Kentucky Derby: How the mint julep became the race's official drink

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDKY) — The mint julep is almost as essential to the Kentucky Derby as the thoroughbreds running for the roses.

It's "bourbon, mint, and what we call simple syrup that adds that sweetness to the mint julep," said Chris Goodlett, senior director of curatorial and education affairs at the Kentucky Derby Museum.

On Derby weekend, nearly 120,000 mint juleps will be served. This requires more than 10,000 bottles of bourbon, 1,000 pounds of mint leaves, and 60,000 pounds of ice.