A julep cup was one of the gifts of choice for special occasions when I was growing up in Alabama. If you’re unfamiliar, it’s a cup, usually with a fluted rim, made of silver, pewter, or stainless steel, that’s traditionally used to serve — yep — mint juleps. They tend to get the most play around the Kentucky Derby, for obvious reasons.
But you don’t actually need to drink juleps out of them for the cups to be a useful or at least beautiful addition to your home or bar. I got one for my high-school and college graduations, both engraved with my name, the school, and the date. Similar to a boat and tote, you can follow tradition and engrave initials or have them engraved with whatever you want. When I first started dating my now-husband, I got him a julep cup with his initials and Nunc est bibendum, Latin for “Now is the time for drinking.”
Julep cups are part of my arsenal of southern gifting eccentricities, one that I’ve dipped into often in my adult life. No one is mad when you bring over a tin of cheese straws, and a boat and tote remains an excellent, practical holiday gift. (Admittedly the latter is not just a southern thing.) And it’s never truer than when it comes to wedding gifts. When I want to give something special to a couple who I know well enough to go off their registry, I send julep cups. Usually, I pair them with a good bottle of bourbon, and sometimes I add a great julep recipe.
Julep cups make a nice wedding gift for a few reasons. One, people don’t tend to already have a set. Two, they’re not only nice-looking barware, they’re like little trophies commemorating a special event. After a certain age, particularly if you don’t do competitive sports, opportunities for trophies are pretty rare. Getting one is nice!
Julep cups are also fun for other occasions. A new house! A milestone birthday! A divorce! They’re a great example of a New Orleans term that I use frequently (and only sometimes correctly): a lagniappe, something just a little fun and extra.
My favorite julep cups
My favorite purveyor right now is Mark & Graham — it offers a single cup for $39 or a monogrammed set of four for $129, though it limits engraving to three characters. They’re sturdy, beautiful-looking, and great if what you want to inscribe is just a monogram or a short last name. Admittedly, these are stainless steel and not silver, but that does make them easy to take care of — no worry about tarnishing.
There’s just something about the pear-shaped Alabama Julep Cup at Salisbury, Inc. that seems perfect as a gift. It comes in a standard 12-ounce size, but you could also get the large 16-ounce or go for the wee 9-ounce, a lovely size if you prefer your bourbon less adulterated. Plus, there’s plenty of room for engraving a longer message.
These copper cups aren’t marked as julep cups, but they’re in the traditional shape of one, and they would be a particularly nice gift for someone who isn’t as fond of silver.
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