Woodford Reserve’s $1,000 Crafter’s Cup

No matter the opinion of one certain Gonzo journalist, the Kentucky Derby is not all decadent and depraved.

Decadent, surely. But also charitable. Decadent and charitable.

Take Woodford Reserve’s $1,000 Crafter’s Cup — that’s to say Woodford Reserve’s $1,000 Mint Julep. On Derby Day, the Kentucky distillery plans on serving these special concoctions to a group of 90 select racegoers. On top of that, they’ll be selling off 15 gold-plated Master’s Cups with silver sipping straws for a whopping $2,500.

All in the name of charity.

Proceeds from sales of the classy cups go to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. The $1,000 cup program is in its 11th year and has already raised more than $425,000 for equine and humanitarian-related causes.

So, should you consider paying four digits for a cocktail?

“It’s delicious and the proceeds are going to a good cause,” says one InsideHook staffer who tried this year’s julep, which tastes not unlike a pecan pie. “If I am going to drink a $,1000 Julep, I definitely need something to make me feel good about it besides just the taste.”

Just in case you can’t make it out to Churchill Downs on May 7th, here’s the recipe.

• 2 oz. Woodford Reserve Distiller’s Select Bourbon
• .75 oz. Toasted Pecan Orgeat Syrup*
• Fresh Mint
• Caramelized Pecan Crumbles for Garnish
• Edible Copper Flakes

Slap the mint. Rub fresh mint around the julep cup. Combine ingredients with crushed ice and swizzle in the glass. Add more crushed ice, garnish with mint bunch, pecan and edible copper flakes.

*To make toasted pecan orgeat, toast pecans, mix or muddle into small pieces and simmer on low heat to create a nut milk. Fine strain or use a nut milk bag to remove nut pieces, and add equal parts sugar to liquid.