Charleston Derby Social

Guests are greeted with the Golden Gait, a one-of-a-kind julep from the Mint Julep Month program made with Maker’s Mark bourbon, mint leaves, Champagne syrup, maraschino liqueur, and a spray of absinthe.

Local Charleston bluegrass and Americana band River Boy perform Kentucky-inspired tunes throughout the event.

Guests Laura Denham and Taylor Cochran make sure to grab a photo in front of the custom Mint Julep Month wall.

Guests enjoy Maker’s Mark cocktails during the event.

Couples don their Derby best in anticipation of the greatest two minutes in sports.

The evening’s best-dressed winners, Drew Hartmann and Suzanne Rahn, each receive a $200 gift card to Tradd’s.

Guests await the Run for the Roses race as they sip on cocktails.

From left: Rob Samuels, Maker’s Mark Chief Distillery Officer; Matthew Bees; Rebecca Darwin, Garden & Gun president and CEO; Jon Carloftis of Jon Carloftis Fine Gardens; and Cress Darwin.

Guests tune in to the Kentucky Derby and cheer on their favorite horses.

A traditional Maker’s Mark julep made with Maker’s Mark bourbon, simple syrup, and plenty of fresh mint is served with a paper straw promoting Maker’s Mark’s #CocktailsForCleanups campaign to help save our waterways from plastic debris.

Maker’s Mark’s Janell and Rob Samuels celebrate Derby Day with Garden & Gun.