Published: April 17, 2008 10:24 pm            

KEN HART: A julep that costs a mint

I have lived or work, or both lived and worked, in Kentucky for the majority of my 47 years.

For some reason, though, I have never managed to make it to Louisville to experience that most quintessential of Kentucky events — the Kentucky Derby.

There are times when I feel I’m not a “real” Kentuckian for that reason, which I suppose, I never can be, seeing as how I was born on Ohio soil and all.

I can also state that I have never had the pleasure of sampling the drink that is as much a part of the Derby as bare bosoms in the infield — the mint julep.

People have told me it’s quite good. I doubt I’ll ever find out for myself, though.

Don’t get me wrong, I like bourbon.

In fact, there are times when I like it a bit too much — like, say, when a certain co-worker brings a batch of her trademark candy treats made with it into the office at Christmas time.

I like mint, too.

It just seems to me that putting those two flavors together would be akin to pouring ketchup on a bowl of vanilla ice cream.

Add sugar to the mix ad it begins to sound more to me like some sort of home remedy than it does a concoction that one would sip for enjoyment while watching the most exciting two minutes in sports.

Like I said, maybe I’m wrong. Obviously, I won’t know for sure until I muster the courage to actually try one.

There is one thing I do know for sure, though.

I know that even if I were the world’s greatest connoisseur of mint juleps, there’s no way on God’s green earth that I’d pay a thousand bucks for one.

Apparently, there are people who will, though.

I was reading a news story the other day about how, for the third year in a row, Woodford Reserve, a Kentucky bourbon distiller, will offer a special mint julep at the Run for the Roses to 99 well-heeled buyers who have shelled out $1,000 a pop for them.

Online sales of the drinks began last week. Buyers will be served their drinks on May 3 at Churchill Downs in gold cups commemorating the 35th anniversary of Secretariat’s 1973 win.

In the past, ingredients for the pricey potables have come from locations as far-flung as the South Pole, Australia and Africa. This year, the liquor, mint, sugar and ice that will go into the drinks will all from locales in Kentucky. Proceeds from the sale of the drinks will go to the Secretariat Foundation, which assists equine-related charities.

Neat idea, but I’m still reminded of that scene from one of my favorite films, “Pulp Fiction,” where John Travolta can’t believe anyone would pay $5 for a milkshake — even though he has to admit that it is an excellent shake.

I guess that’s how you know that you’ve truly made it — when you can afford to go to the Derby and watch from Millionaire’s Row with all the celebrities while simultaneously getting tanked on thousand-dollar mint juleps.

At that price, one would think they would come with unlimited refills.

KENNETH HART can be reached at khart@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2654.

        

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