The Best Mint Julep Cups for the Kentucky Derby and Beyond

Best Overall

Barfly Julep Cup

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This 12-ounce mint julep cup is made in the classic style and has some heft. Barfly also offers black, copper-, and gold-plated options as well. This stainless steel version belies its wallet-friendly price tag with its sophisticated design and considerable weight. This classic julep cup will have you feeling like you've already won the Kentucky Derby.

“There’s nothing like a mint julep served in a silver cup that’s so frosted you have to wrap a napkin around it because it’s too cold—and it has the super crushed ice, with a real mint sprig in it,” says Campbell Brown, senior vice president and managing director of Old Forester. He will take the reins as Chairman of Brown-Forman’s board of directors later this summer.

Price at the time of publish: $15

Best Silver-Plated

Prince of Scots Copper Mint Julep Cups with Pure Silver Plate, Set of 4

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Silver-plated barware is, of course, much cheaper than solid silver because much less of the precious metal is used to coat a cup than would be if it were entirely cast. But they still present the polished appearance of silver and generate a nice frosty texture when holding an icy drink. This set of four from Prince of Scots features a copper base beneath the silver plate so the chill radiates to the fingers as you hold it, while a beaded embellishment gives the cups both texture and a touch of sophistication.

Price at time of publish: $163

Best Classic Silver

Scully & Scully Plain Sterling Silver Mint Julep Cup

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Traditionally, a mint julep was served in a silver or pewter cup, and often in the south folks would use heirloom christening or baptismal cups to take their tipple. Serving any drink in a vessel made from precious metal is a decadent indulgence we can get behind. This gorgeous example from Scully & Scully holds 10 ounces and you can personalize it with an engraving. Sure, it’s quite an expensive addition to your bar, especially if you want a set, but it’s also something you can hand down to your wee ones when they’re old enough to become whiskey drinkers.

Price at time of publish: $1000

Best Copper

Copper Mug Co. 14-ounce Tumblers, Set of 4

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A cheaper, but still metallic, option is copper. More typically seen as a vessel for a Moscow mule, a copper cup is sometimes used to serve a julep. It’s also a nice option for those who don’t have a ton of storage for multiple highly specialized vessels. We prefer tumblers to mugs for mint juleps and this handmade set of four from Copper Mug Co. offers a 14-ounce capacity per cup, perfect for summer days that require a little extra ice. A textured exterior lends both a visual flourish and an additional tactile sensation that adds a little something extra to the drinking experience. 

Price at time of publish: $33

Best Multipurpose

Greens Steel Stainless Steel 10 oz Tumbler (4 Pack)

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These lightweight, stainless steel tumblers come in a 4-pack and are marketed for kids, but we won't tell anyone you're also using them as the perfect vessel for your next mint julep! At 10-ounces, these stackable cups are affordable and multi-purpose—clearly. Another big selling point here is that the company claims they are completely environmentally friendly, BPA-free, phthalate-free, and lead-free. The packaging is even recyclable.

Price at time of publish: $20

Best Modern

Elsa Peretti Sterling Silver Thumbprint Water Cup

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For some, silver can present a little too old-timey and dated. For those who prefer a contemporary aesthetic, there are designs that still feel opulent but not fussy. Luxury items should be used, and we think these Elsa Peretti x Tiffany & Co. sterling silver cups are a great choice for both daily use or special occasions. While the 3.5-inch high cup is a nice size for an iced down julep, the thumbprint design, one of Peretti’s most famous, adds a touch of texture to an otherwise starkly simple creation.

Price at time of publish: $700

Best Novelty Glasses

Kentucky Derby Officially Licensed Mint Julep Cups, Set of 4

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Of course, the julep is the signature cocktail of the Kentucky Derby, and by the first Saturday in May, fresh mint should already be widely available, heralding the arrival of summer. If you manage to get to Churchill Downs in person, you can nab a commemorative glass with every drink. But if you aren’t heading to Kentucky, you can still order the glasses online. This set commemorates the last four runnings of the iconic horse race and each one holds 12 ounces, plenty of room for a mountain of ice, and a solid pour of good straight bourbon.

Price at time of publish: $50

Best Crystal

Marquis by Waterford Markham Highball Glasses, Set of 4

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Clear glass or crystal is not traditional when it comes to mint juleps, but we only believe in keeping the traditions you want to honor. While a clear vessel doesn’t feel quite the same in the hand as silver, it does allow the drinker to drink in the visual splendor of the mint, bourbon, and sugar swirling around the ice pebbles—adding another way to enjoy the sensory experience of the mint julep. This set of four 13-ounce Markham highball glasses from Marquis by Waterford features a classic cut pattern that gives the drink a sophisticated texture, while the crystalline adds a hefty gravitas that makes the drink feel more substantial.

Price at time of publish: $80