Four Louisvillians are going shaker-to-shaker with other Kentucky bartenders at the 20th annual Rose Julep Cocktail Competition at Mellwood Art Center on Thursday, March 16. The contest starts at 5 p.m. and is part of Kentucky Derby Festival's Festival Unveiled event.

The mixologists are raising a glass to Derby season’s signature cocktail — the mint julep, obvi — by creating their own unique twist using Four Roses Small Batch.

A panel of judges — including our own Senior City Editor, Katie — will taste and score the juleps based on aroma, creativity, and more. The public is welcome to judge, too. With a $50 ticket, bourbon lovers can sample all eight recipes and cast their rose julep votes in the People’s Choice category.

LOU bartenders include:

🥃 Em Sego, North of Bourbon
🥃 SC Baker, Bar Expo
🥃 TJ Ghant, NoraeBar
🥃 Colleen McCarthy, Martini Italian Bistro

Who will crush the ice — and the competition?