Nearly 90 years after the mint julep became the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, it’s still the talk of the town. 

That’s especially true during Mint Julep Month, which is presented by Louisville Tourism and runs throughout April in Louisville with the Mint Julep Trail, reminiscent of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Several spots join in on Mint Julep Month, celebrating the cocktail synonymous with the world’s most famous horse race.

The Franklin County-based Whiskey Thief Distilling, which opened a NuLu tasting room and bar in October 2024, wasted no time getting in on the mint julep fun. 

The distillery bar’s twist on the traditional drink came from a happy misunderstanding.

Growing up in Georgia, Amy Fox, Whiskey Thief’s head of operations and experiences, jokes that for some reason everyone thought mint juleps were made with lime….