Best served in a frosted silver glass, the Mint Julep is a delicious blend of bourbon, sugar, mint and ice

Head to Louisville and Lexington in April and May for two of the biggest equestrian weekends the state has to offer, the Kentucky Derby and Rolex Kentucky.

On April 26^th – 29^th the Rolex Kentucky three-day event will test the relationship between horse and rider in three disciplines: dressage; cross-country and jumping. Rolex Kentucky is the first CCI**** in the Rolex Grand Slam series with Burghley being the last. Since the formation of the Grand Slam of Eventing in 1999 it has only been won by one rider in 2003.

Every year, over 80,000 spectators converge at the stunning Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington which was recently updated with a 6,000-seat climate controlled indoor arena and an impressive 7,500-seat outdoor stadium.

The Kentucky Oaks race on May 4^th 2012 and is a Grade 1 stakes race for three year old fillies. The adopted colour of the day is always pink and anything goes dress wise as long as it is pink. This tradition was started to honour the official flower of the race – the stargazer lily, race goers are encouraged to go all out in the fashion stakes and take part in the Chambord Kentucky Oaks Fashion Contest. In the spirit of the day the official cocktail of the Kentucky Oaks is the Oaks Lily which also reflects the colour of the day.

The 138th Kentucky Derby takes place at Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville on May 5^th 2012 and is the biggest; the oldest and most famous horse race in America’s racing calendar and part of the Kentucky Derby Festival. The Derby is a Grade 1 stakes race for three year old thoroughbreds and one of its most famous winners was Secretariat who won it in 1973.

Sip the traditional cocktail of the Derby – the Mint Julep and witness ‘The Fastest Two Minutes in Sport’.