Mint Julep recipe — how to make the Kentucky Derby’s official drink even more refreshing

The drink is a longstanding tradition, served at the iconic Churchill Downs race track in Louisville, Kentucky since the 1820s. It was first recorded to be served at horse racing events in the sterling silver cups still used today.

The drink will cool you off on a hot May day in the Southern city, mixing together fresh mint and delicious bourbon. If bourbon isn’t your thing, the race track also serves a well-known drink called an Oaks Lily, using vodka instead.

Kentucky Derby Museum senior curator Chris Goodlet told CNN: "The mint julep has probably been with us since the very first Kentucky Derby.

"It ties together two of Kentucky’s most well-known industries: horse racing and bourbon."

According to the official Kentucky Derby website, you'll need:

• Fresh mint sprig

• ½ ounce simple syrup

• 2 ½ ounces bourdon

• Crushed ice

Express the essential oils in the mint and rub them inside the glass. To the same glass, add simple syrup, bourdon and crushed ice.

Now stir it all together, and garnish with more ice and fresh mint.

The ingredients include:

• Crushed ice

• 1 ½ ounces vodka

• ½ ounce triple sec

• 4 ounces lemon-lime soda

• Lemon wedge

• Blackberries

First, fill a wine glass with crushed ice (Churchill Downs serves them in stemless glasses). Then add in the ingredients and stir. Add a straw and garnish with blackberries and a lemon wedge.

The beverage is the official drink of the Kentucky Oaks, where just the fillies race on the Friday before the Derby.