Tullamore Dew, The Legendary
Irish Whiskey, Announces New Cocktail, The Tully Julep, for
135th Annual Kentucky Derby
As
anticipation mounts for the 2009 Kentucky Derby, horseracing
fans around the world convene for southern food, lively conversation,
and, of course, whiskey and cocktails shared amongst friends.
According to the Derby Museum, the Mint Julep first became Churchill
Down's signature drink in 1938 when they began serving the drink
in souvenir glasses for 75 cents. Its history, however, dates
back to 1803 when the print of the cocktail first appeared.
Today, Kentucky Derby serves more than 80,000 Juleps throughout
the two-day event. According to one local paper, the Louisville
farmer who has grown mint for Churchill Downs since 1975, delivers
more than 6,000 dozen bunches of the fresh mint to the track
and area groceries during Derby week. A Derby party anywhere
is not really a Derby party without mint juleps, but perhaps
it's time for a new twist on the traditional cocktail.
This year, Tullamore Dew, the last of the top 3 global Irish
whiskeys still owned and managed by an Irish company, invites
Derby fans everywhere to drink Irish for this year's Derby with
the creation of a brand new cocktail, the Tully Julep. Created
in honor of this year's 135th annual Kentucky Derby, the Tully
Julep adds the smoothness of Irish to the fresh mint and simple
syrup for an easy way to honor the winner of America's most
revered horse race.
Ireland has a rich history of horse racing. Point to pointing
and jump racing (National Hunt Racing) both have Irish origins
and even today, jump racing is marginally more popular than
racing on the flat. The world's largest thoroughbred stud, Coolmore
Stud, resides in Ireland and notable Irish trainers include
Dermot Weld, John Oxx and Aidan O'Brien. So it's appropriate
for the Irish to put a modern twist on the classic racing cocktail
and the Tully Julep is certain to stimulate taste-buds and conversation
throughout this year's event.
TULLY JULEP
2 oz Tullamore Dew
1oz Simple Syrup
Mint leaves
Muddle mint with simple syrup and Tullamore Dew.
Add crushed ice. Mix with a bar spoon until glass is frosted.
Add more crushed ice. Garnish with several mint sprigs. Add
straw.