Rose Julep Cocktail Competition Winner – Oliver Winn

Eric Burke and Katie Solove join Oliver Winn for a taste of his prize-winning Mint Julep recipe and some pointers for serving the perfect cocktail on Derby Day.

Seven Lexington-area bartenders competed at the 5th annual Rose Julep Lexington Cocktail Competition in April in hopes of receiving top honors, and bragging rights, for handcrafting the best unique twist on the classic mint julep-which traditionally includes crushed ice, mellow Bourbon, simple syrup and fresh mint, all muddled together in a silver cup.

The contest was held on April 18 at Goodfellas Distillery in the Distillery District of Lexington, Ky.

A panel of beverage industry experts tasted and scored the juleps based on aroma, creativity, taste and presentation to name the winner in the “Judges’ Choice” category. The public was also invited to sample the cocktails throughout the night and cast their votes for the “People’s Choice” category winner.

Parlay Social’s Oliver Winn was named Judges’ Choice with his “Winn Mint Julep” cocktail and West Main Crafting Co.’s Natalie White was named People’s Choice with “The Cause of It All”.