It’s Derby week — one of the most exciting weeks of the year in Louisville. With that in mind, this week’s Virtual Frazier Magazine has got a decidedly Derby theme to it. The Frazier’s latest exhibition is titled Cool Kentucky, and I would submit that few things in this state are as cool as the Kentucky Derby!

In today’s episode of “Sippin’ With Stephen,” my guest, longtime friend and two-time Bourbon Hall of Famer Peggy Noe Stevens, and I demonstrate how to make the perfect mint julep. A founder of the Bourbon Women Association and leading Bourbon Ambassador, Peggy debunks the myth that mint juleps are a difficult cocktail to make. She is the author of several books, including Which Fork Do I Use With My Bourbon? (2020), which will soon be available for purchase in the Frazier’s Museum Store.

The Derby is the time of year when the state of Kentucky is in the spotlight both nationally and internationally. We hope this issue of Virtual Frazier follows suit, giving our readers a glimpse into why the Derby is not just a horse race, but a showcase of all things Kentucky.

Today’s installment of “Sippin’ With Stephen” is a must-view for all fans of the Kentucky Derby: I have two-time Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Famer Peggy Noe Stevens here to show us how to make the perfect mint julep. Peggy created the Bourbon Women Association, co-created the concept and strategic development of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, and authored two books, the most recent of which being Which Fork Do I Use With My Bourbon?, published in May 2020. Peggy also serves as a spirits judge for the American Distilling Institute and is on the faculty of Moonshine University.

Cool Kentucky: The History of the Mint Julep

In the small but informative book published by the University of Kentucky Press The Kentucky Mint Julep, author Colonel Joe Nickell contends that the mint is the ingredient that transformed the drink into an American libation. Colonel Nickell quotes noted Bourbon author Gerald Carson, saying: “Of all the compatibles man has discovered in the world of food and drink, none excels the harmony with which mint blends into a silver goblet filled with ice, a dusting of sugar, and several ounces of mellow Bourbon.” In Kentucky culture, the silver julep cup filled with shaved or crushed ice and a good Kentucky Bourbon aged in a charred oak barrel are essential. However, the drink can be spoiled if the wrong mint is selected.

There are over 600 varieties of mint, including orange, apple, pineapple, peppermint, and spearmint. The mint that should be used for mint juleps is one in the spearmint family, Mentha spicata. Some Kentuckians prefer the common spearmint variety, which has a milder taste than the Kentucky Colonel spearmint variety. Your guests will certainly know the difference if you substitute peppermint, for instance, because they will be wondering why their lips and mouth are tingling and why the mint overpowers the drink.

Anita Madden's dresses from the 1987 and 1995 Derby Eve galas on display in Cool Kentucky.

Every year, my boyfriend and I host a Derby party known as the Bourby Derby. We invite all our friends, get dressed up, eat Kentucky-themed snacks, and, admittedly, drink LOTS of Bourbon. Last year, due to the coronavirus outbreak, we instead held a virtual Derby party, which enabled us to celebrate with our friends across the country. Although they’re usually pretty fun, our parties certainly pale in comparison to those hosted by Anita Madden. Anita was known for her extravagant Derby Eve galas, which, in addition to being lavish, star-studded, and decadent, raised millions of dollars for charity. As many as 2,500 guests would attend the party each year, awaiting the entrance of Madden in that year’s gown, which was usually revealing, and often covered in feathers and sequins. You can see two such gowns on display in Cool Kentucky.

Debut of Dawn Landes's Row on Audible

During our interview with Kentuckian Dawn Landes back in November, we discussed the musical she wrote about fellow Kentuckian Tori Murden McClure’s incredible journey across the Atlantic Ocean. Row was set to debut in the summer of 2020. Of course, those plans were derailed — but Dawn has shared some exciting updates with us!

The full theatrical recording is now available on Audible. Additionally, the Williamstown Theater Fest in Western Massachusetts is producing Row outdoors at the Clark Museum July 13 through August 8. The world premiere is an incredible accomplishment and certainly just the beginning of many great things for Dawn’s creation. We look forward to hearing about it directly from Dawn when she visits us later in the year. Stay tuned for that!

In the meantime, be sure to come see Tori’s boat, The American Pearl, on display in our Cool Kentucky exhibition.

That makes Greg, who is a bloodstock agent, a third-generation horseman in an industry that is predominantly white.

He made headlines last year as one of the owners of Necker Island, a horse that ran in last year’s Kentucky Derby (which was held in September, not May, due to COVID).

Black ownership is not the norm. In fact, this tweet Harbut saw after his horse ran in the Ellis Park Derby says it all: “To see African Americans on a major race day is like seeing a unicorn.”

The legacy of African Americans in the industry is a complicated one.

Black jockeys dominated horse racing in the beginning, and filled other crucial roles as well. But things changed, and Blacks were pushed out.

Harbut, who was born and raised in Lexington, is working to change that, even offering a lecture series about diversifying horse racing in the classroom.

I recently spoke with Greg about his mission, his family legacy, and staying in the race last year when so many were asking him to boycott it in light of Breonna Taylor’s killing.

And now, there’s word that Churchill Downs and partners are launching a Derby equity initiative.

Is real change coming?

The IX has already been receiving great reviews through a series of presale tasting events. Their site describes the taste as a sweet flavor of buttery caramel, with undertones of chocolate, and a hint of spice. “I am not going to tell you how to drink it,” James said. “Experience The IX however you see fit. We only suggest a squeeze of lemon to boost the flavor and bring out more of the notes that our current audience already love.”

Presales have begun and more information can be found at theixbourbon.com.

This week marks the return of two world-famous annual events: the Academy Awards, whose 93^rd ceremony occurred yesterday in Los Angeles; and the Kentucky Derby, whose 147^th running is set to take place this Saturday here in Louisville.

While at first glance, the two events seem unrelated, they share some traits. First, audiences tune in to broadcasts of both events not only for the spectacle, but to see what the attendees are wearing. Second, there have been more than a few Kentuckians that have either been nominated for or won an Oscar.

The most obvious examples are Louisville native Jennifer Lawrence and Augusta’s own George Clooney. Lawrence, who has been nominated four times, took home an Oscar on February 24, 2013 for Best Actress in a Lead Role for her performance in Silver Linings Playbook. That same night, Clooney won Best Picture for co-producing the Ben Affleck film Argo.

A costume George Clooney wore in the 2000 comedy film O Brother, Where Art Thou? on display in Cool Kentucky. On loan from the Rosemary Clooney House.

However, Kentuckians have played a part at the Oscars since long before Lawrence and Clooney came on the scene. Louisville native Ned Beatty (b. 1937) was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor award for his role as a venal corporate executive in the 1976 film Network. Next, there was Patricia Neal (1926 – 2010), a Kentuckian who was born in the ghost town of Packard, Kentucky. She won Best Actress for her role as a housekeeper opposite Paul Newman’s ne’er-do-well cowboy in the modern western drama Hud.

Historical Landmark placed in honor of Irene Dunne, fittingly situated near the Belle of Louisville

A publicity still featuring Irene Dunne and cinematographer John J. Mescall on the set of Show Boat, 1936. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

You can learn more about Mrs. Dunne by walking along the wharf in Downtown Louisville. Situated near where the Belle of Louisville is usually docked is a Kentucky Historical Landmark in her honor. You can learn more about Clooney, Lawrence, and few other famous Kentuckians by visiting the Frazier’s new permanent exhibition Cool Kentucky.

Here, you’ll see memorabilia, artifacts, and movie posters from and about some of our most famous celebrities, including director Tod Browning (1880 – 1962) of Louisville, horror master John Carpenter (b. 1948) of Bowling Green, and journalist Diane Sawyer (b. 1945) of Louisville.

1.      Wear a mask at all times.

2.      Maintain social distancing in gallery spaces and the museum store, staying at least six feet apart.

3.      Wash hands and use hand sanitizer often.

4.      Follow any other guidelines placed throughout the museum.

Although the doors of the museum aren't always open, we are here to continue to be a resource for your family and our community.