Here's how you can make a yummy mint julep, a Kentucky Derby tradition, in the comfort of home

Nbcwashington · Apr 29, 2026 · 193 words · By NBC Staff

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What to know about Here's how you can make a yummy mint julep, a Kentucky Derby tradition, in the comfort of home

Each year, over the course of one spring weekend in May, more than 125,000 mint juleps are sipped, slurped and supped at the Churchill Downs Racetrack during the Kentucky Derby.

Claims checked 5

Techniques found 0

Topics 0

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

Left12%

Center76%

Right12%

8 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Each year, over the course of one spring weekend in May, more than 125,000 mint juleps are sipped, slurped and supped at the Churchill Downs Racetrack during the Kentucky Derby.

Why it matters

It’s been that way for nearly a century, since the julep became the event's official drink, thanks to the influence of Colonel Matt J.

Common ground

Winn, according to the Churchill Downs website.

Perspective signals

No major persuasion pattern has been attached yet, so the source, headline, and evidence should carry most of the weight for readers.

Follow-up questions

What concrete event or decision sits underneath the headline: Here's how you can make a yummy mint julep, a Kentucky Derby tradition, in the comfort of home?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that When he took that role, Churchill Downs had been facing some financial troubles?
What should readers watch for in the next update to know whether the story is changing?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/sports/triple-crown/mint-julep-how-to-make-ke…

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 5 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 4

info Single Source 1

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Claim 1: “When he took that role, Churchill Downs had been facing some financial troubles.”

CORROBORATED

A web search result explicitly states that money was a problem into the 1900s and that the hiring of Colonel Matt J. Winn in 1902 was intended to turn around the track's finances, corroborating the claim that the track was facing financial troubles when he arrived.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Kentucky Derby () is an American Grade I stakes race run at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The race is run by three-year-old Thoroughbreds at a distance of 1+1⁄4 miles (10 furlongs; 2,01…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentucky_Derby

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Martin J. "Matt" Winn (June 30, 1861 – October 6, 1949) was a prominent personality in American thoroughbred horse racing history and president of Churchill Downs racetrack, home to the Kentucky Derby…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Winn

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Matt Winn Stakes is a Grade III American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old horses run over a distance of 1+1⁄16 miles on the dirt at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The event cur…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Winn_Stakes

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 2: “It’s been that way for nearly a century, since the julep became the event's official drink, thanks to the influence of Colonel Matt J. Winn, according to the Churchill Downs website.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple web search results confirm that the mint julep is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby and has been associated with the event for nearly a century. While the claim attributes the influence specifically to Colonel Matt J. Winn, the general historical association and official status are corroborated by multiple sources.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Kentucky Colonel is the highest title of honor bestowed by the U.S. state of Kentucky. It is the best-known colonelcy in the United States. A Kentucky Colonel Commission, the certificate, is awarded i…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kentucky_Colonel

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+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 3: “Winn, who grew up watching the derby from a seat in his father’s grocery wagon, became the track’s vice president in 1902.”

SINGLE SOURCE

The evidence confirms that Matt Winn was a prominent figure and president of Churchill Downs, but none of the provided sources specify his role or appointment date as Vice President in 1902. The claim about the specific role and year is not directly supported by the provided evidence.

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+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 4: “Each year, over the course of one spring weekend in May, more than 125,000 mint juleps are sipped, slurped and supped at the Churchill Downs Racetrack during the Kentucky Derby.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple web search results, including those referencing the official Kentucky Derby information, state that over 125,000 mint juleps are consumed or sold during the Kentucky Derby weekend. This figure is reported by multiple independent online sources.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Churchill Downs is a thoroughbred horse racing complex in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. Since its opening in 1875, it has hosted the annual Kentucky Derby, the first leg of the Triple Crown, as…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Churchill_Downs

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Churchill Downs Stakes is a Grade I American Thoroughbred horse race for four-year-old and older sprinters run over a distance of seven furlongs on the dirt annually in early May at Churchill Down…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Churchill_Downs_Stakes

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+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 5: “Winn is credited with coming up with a number of now-famous derby traditions, including the garlands of flowers worn around winners’ necks and the mint julep glasses, which Winn designed.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple web search results independently credit Matt Winn with coming up with famous derby traditions, specifically naming the garlands of flowers worn around winners' necks and the mint julep glasses, which he designed.

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web search NEUTRAL — Matt Winn's picture appeared on the official 1949 Kentucky Derby Mint Julep Glass with the caption "He Has Seen Them All."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Winn

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web search NEUTRAL — Winn is credited with coming up with a number of now-famous derby traditions, including the garlands of flowers worn around winners’ necks, playing the song "My Old Kentucky Home," and the mint julep …
https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/national-international/mint-…

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web search NEUTRAL — Winn is credited with coming up with a number of now-famous derby traditions, including the garlands of flowers worn around winners’ necks and the mint julep glasses, which Winn designed.
https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/sports/triple-crown/heres-how-…

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.