What cup should you use for serving a traditional mint julep?

Handmade sterling silver cups are the traditional serving vessels for mint juleps. There are two main styles, which include those with beaded rims and those with bands at the top.

Since the early 1800s, these silver mint julep cups have been highly collectible. They were first designed and produced by three early master silver smiths, Asa Blanchard, William Cooper and Archibald Cooper, who were all from Kentucky. Churchill Downs, the racetrack for the Kentucky Derby, has produced silver cups in an official capacity since the 1950s. The silver mint julep cup also often serves as a gift at weddings, christenings, graduations and as a trophy at golf tournaments.