$1000 Mint Julep @ Derby

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PlaytoWin
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$1000 Mint Julep @ Derby

Postby PlaytoWin » Wed Apr 12, 2006 8:05 am

Has anyone else heard about this?

At the Derby
Served in a Gold Julep cup, Silver straw, Mint from some exotic place (I don't remember), Ice from the arctic circle? $1000

The great thing about this is that the profits are going to help retired runners-

If I were going to the Derby this year, I think this would be a collectors item that I would be into.

kezeli
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Postby kezeli » Wed Apr 12, 2006 8:27 am

Sounds interesting, the cup and straw and ice is cool(the ice pops) but I hate mint juleps, yuck!!

Laurierace
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Postby Laurierace » Wed Apr 12, 2006 12:05 pm

I hope this becomes the must have accessory for all the stars and star wannabes since all proceeds go to benefit TRF.

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Derring
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Postby Derring » Wed Apr 12, 2006 5:20 pm

My father always said that Mint Juleps were a waste of good bourbon............

:wink:

Richard
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Derby Julip

Postby Richard » Wed Apr 12, 2006 5:56 pm

Derby Julip, do you get to keep the cup & straw ?

Richard

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Lucy
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Re: Derby Julip

Postby Lucy » Wed Apr 12, 2006 6:38 pm

Richard wrote:Derby Julip, do you get to keep the cup & straw ?

Richard


Yes. :)

Vindicated
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Postby Vindicated » Wed Apr 12, 2006 6:46 pm

ah the mint julep stories I could tell-but I won't

I think its a great idea

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FOS
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Postby FOS » Wed Apr 12, 2006 9:15 pm

hi guys

Consider this...

...a thousand bucks each for fifty mint juleps at the Derby and the proceeds going to thoroughbred welfare...on the surface and at a quick glance it sounds harmless.

On second thought though...since it was announced approx 4 weeks prior to the Ky Derby, might the 50 mint juleps at $1,000 each (served in gold PLATED cups with silver straws included) be nothing more than a publicity stunt (leaning toward elitist) to attract attention to the Kentucky Derby and get some free media and publicity at the same time for Churchill. After all it was probably on every news cast in the country and in every newspaper...at no cost to Churchill.

For what it's worth...some of the news commentary I heard was offered in a cynical way (and a verbal smirk might better describe the tone).

I suggest that if the industry would like to genuinely help retired and/or rescued thoroughbreds (many many many of them in need of assistance)...I recommend, figure out a way to do it right and long term (which would arguably require millions upon millions upon millions of dollars)...and don't create a publicity stunt to raise $50,000 (arguably a drop in a HUGE bucket, and maybe the bucket is a 50 or 100 gallon drum).

Although it's not a cure for the problem, instead of selling 50 mint juleps at $1,000 per, why not sell $4 or $5 or $10 cups of lemonade to the masses...the proceeds of which would be specifically earmarked for thoroughbred welfare and rescue etc. Why not let the masses enjoy the pleasure of participating in a good cause while quenching their thirst at the same time...instead of creating an attention-getting because it's high-priced stunt that might stroke a few egos.

The thought of Lemonade sales to help thoroughbreds-in-need (in the style of last years Alex's Lemonade stands) conjurs something inclusive and good that kids and adults of all ages can participate in...on the flip side, 50 mint juleps at $1,000 apiece arguably seems crass and exclusive...and easy for the media to poke fun at.

Thoughts?

Respectfully

Vindicated
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Postby Vindicated » Thu Apr 13, 2006 8:30 am

Okay lets think about this-

Even if this is simply to attract attention to Churchill/The Derby/Yum Brands-Whatever.

The overall point is that through this-it may raise awareness of the plight a majority of the population of retired runners are in, with the people that can afford to make larger contributions

So at the Derby a celeb buys one of these Collector's Edition Mint Juleps
decides that he/she needs a "good cause' for a publicity stunt-who is going to benefit?

At some point the horses will benefit-doing something is better than doing nothing-agreed?

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Lei Owen
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Postby Lei Owen » Fri Apr 14, 2006 11:59 am

Derring wrote:My father always said that Mint Juleps were a waste of good bourbon............

:wink:


Nasty! Phew! Yuk! I always thought it was a way to cover up cheap ass bourbon!
Laissez les bon temps rouller!

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FOS
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Postby FOS » Fri Apr 14, 2006 7:27 pm

hi Lei Owen

Lei Owen wrote:
Derring wrote:My father always said that Mint Juleps were a waste of good bourbon............

:wink:

Nasty! Phew! Yuk! I always thought it was a way to cover up cheap ass bourbon!


:lol: :lol: :lol:

Respectfully

Sam
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Postby Sam » Fri Apr 14, 2006 7:49 pm

Vindicated wrote:The overall point is that through this-it may raise awareness of the plight a majority of the population of retired runners are in, with the people that can afford to make larger contributions

The operative word there is "may."

This does seem like a publicity stunt and it smacks of elitism.

Think about it, how many of the 155k or so people that are going to be there do you think can afford, let alone are willing, to spend $1k for a (nasty) drink? I sure as hell wouldn't. I don't need more clutter in my house and I'd rather just give the foundations the money outright.

This is a backhanded "ain't we the shizzle" move for the celebs and pseudo-celebs to feel like they are doing something.

I don't even anticipate many in the industry to buy one. They know better. If they were really interested in funding retirement homes, they'd write a check for a hell of a lot more than $1k.

A better moved would have been to tap the crowd concessions. Not having been to the Derby, I can't say what it costs for a beer, but if it's anything like normal race days or going to the ballpark I'm sure it's $5.25 or more. So tack on an extra dollar and put a sign over every concession stand saying $1 from every drink would be given to the TRF or Old Friends or whatever org was behind it. I'm sure there'd be some kind of agreement they would have to reach with the beer vendors, but it could be done.

I don't like paying $5.25 for a Becks when I go to the ballpark, doesn't stop me from paying it and it doesn't stop the guys I'm with from paying $21 for 4 beers over 9 innings. I'd rather get a buck for every beer bought from 155k people than $1k from 50 people.

Vindicated
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Postby Vindicated » Fri Apr 14, 2006 9:01 pm

I am going to say this again-
Very slowly for those of you that have problems understanding

WHO CARES if it is a publicity (sp) stunt!!!

Its the thought-that maybe, just maybe it will do some good-

Your life will be much happier and healthier-if you quit nit picking, complaining and B******G, Trust me

It's toxic-Try for a day to see the silver lining in every thunder cloud

Please its for your own good

Sam
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Postby Sam » Fri Apr 14, 2006 9:22 pm

Vindicated wrote:Your life will be much happier and healthier-if you quit nit picking, complaining and B******G, Trust me

And yours will be much healthier and happier when you figure out that just because someone sees the reality of a situation and expresses doubts about the motive behind what is clearly a publicity stunt or how it will have little real effect on a situation, that does not mean they are "bitching" about it. It's called a reality check. If they TRULY wanted to do some good, they wouldn't pussyfoot around with this $1k mint julip publicity stunt ... they'd pony up REAL money and not leave it to the celebs looking for a photo op and soundbite.

Did you ever watch Dennis Miller? Did you think he was really 'upset'/'angry'/'pissed' off during his "rants"?

Negative opinions are not necessarily inspired by negative feelings. I don't particularly give a damn one way or another.

If anyone needs to get a reality check here and learn to calm down, I would say it was you after that little outburst.

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camohn
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Postby camohn » Fri Apr 14, 2006 9:33 pm

I hated MJs until I found the "old"way to make em in an antique drink book. New way: how you get em at a bar..throw sugar and bourboun in w/ a mint leaf run through it 60 seconds before. Use cheap bourbon to boot and it's nasty stuff.
Old way:cook sugar in boiling water first to make sugar syrup. Add mint leaves and let cool. Refrigerate with mint overnight. Take mint out/ keep mint sugar syrup in fridge to use as needed where you add rocks and semi decent bourbon. SO much better! They have a real minty flavor and a smooth one using sugar syrup, not the granulated or powdered stuff.
Good one:
http://home.att.net/~ejlinton/dom_mint-julep.html
Icky bar version:
http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink5382.html