Best Julep Cups (2026 Buying Guide)
Updated How we research
Mint Julep Cups Set of 4 with Straws - Polished 12 oz Commercial Grade Stainless Steel Derby Cups
A set of 4 polished 12 oz commercial grade stainless steel Derby julep cups with straws for Kentucky Derby parties.
Mint Julep Cups Stainless Steel Set of 4 - Metal 12 oz Cocktail Glasses
A set of 4 stainless steel mint julep cups at 12 oz, metal cups for juleps, smashes and crushed ice drinks.
The mint julep lives or dies by frost. A proper julep cup pulls the chill from crushed ice straight to the metal, forming that beautiful icy sheen on the outside and keeping your bourbon bracingly cold to the last sip. The traditional choice is pewter, prized for how quickly it frosts, but stainless steel and copper each bring their own strengths to the table. In this guide we compare the three main metals so you can match the cup to how you drink. Pewter delivers the classic Kentucky Derby experience but asks for gentler care. Stainless steel frosts nearly as well, shrugs off the dishwasher, and costs less. Copper splits the difference with excellent thermal performance and a warmer look. We also weigh capacity, wall thickness, and how comfortable each cup is to hold once it is fully frosted. Below you will find recommendations for purists, for everyday sippers, and for anyone assembling a set for Derby day. Every pick is judged first on how cold it keeps your julep and second on how good it looks doing it.
The short version
We compared 6 picks. Our scores range from 6.8 to 8.6 out of 10.
- Best overall:Mint Julep Cups Set of 4 with Straws - Polished 12 oz Commercial Grade Stainless Steel Derby Cups. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.6/10.
- Also great value:Mint Julep Cups Stainless Steel Set of 4 - Metal 12 oz Cocktail Glasses. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.4/10.
- Solid build:Maker's Mark Signature Julep Cup - Genuine Pewter/Stainless Steel. Build and materials score of 9/10, overall 7.6/10.
- Feature-rich:Gusto Nostro Mint Julep Cups Set of 4 - Stainless Steel Kit with Straws, Muddler, Spoon (Rose). Features score of 9/10, overall 8.4/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
- 1.Mint Julep Cups Set of 4 with Straws - Polished 12 oz Commercial Grade Stainless Steel Derby Cups8.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 2.Mint Julep Cups Stainless Steel Set of 4 - Metal 12 oz Cocktail Glasses8.4/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 3.Gusto Nostro Mint Julep Cups Set of 4 - Stainless Steel Kit with Straws, Muddler, Spoon (Rose)8.4/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 4.Sol Living Mint Julep Cups Bundle - 4 Copper + 4 Silver Stainless Steel Cups with 8 Straws8.4/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 5.Maker's Mark Signature Julep Cup - Genuine Pewter/Stainless Steel7.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 6.Stainless Steel Mint Julep Cup in Black6.8/10See on AmazonCheck price
#1A set of 4 polished 12 oz commercial grade stainless steel Derby julep cups with straws for Kentucky Derby parties.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Commercial grade stainless steel handles frequent use and washing
- + Straws are included, completing the julep serving setup
- + Polished finish looks classic for Derby Day entertaining
- - Polished surfaces show fingerprints and water spots
- - Straws add extra cleaning after each party
#2A set of 4 stainless steel mint julep cups at 12 oz, metal cups for juleps, smashes and crushed ice drinks.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + Stainless steel frosts over nicely with crushed ice
- + 12 oz capacity holds a full julep with plenty of ice
- + Metal cups will not shatter at outdoor Derby parties
- - Metal cups get very cold to hold without a napkin
- - Check the steel gauge before buying for regular outdoor use
#3Gusto Nostro's rose-colored mint julep cup set of 4 with straws, a muddler and a spoon as a complete stainless kit.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Muddler and spoon let you build juleps without extra tools
- + Rose finish gives a stylish twist on classic silver cups
- + Stainless steel construction holds up to crushed ice
- - Colored finish may wear with abrasive scrubbing
- - Newer brand with less track record than classic barware makers
#4Sol Living's mint julep cup bundle with 4 copper and 4 silver stainless steel cups plus 8 straws for larger groups.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 8 cups in two finishes cover a bigger Derby party
- + Copper and silver mix lets guests tell drinks apart
- + 8 straws included so every cup is ready to serve
- - Mixed finishes may not suit a uniform table look
- - Copper-tone finish needs gentle cleaning to stay bright
#5Maker's Mark's signature julep cup in genuine pewter and stainless steel, a collectible bourbon brand keepsake.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 6/10
- + Maker's Mark branding makes it a strong gift for bourbon fans
- + Pewter and stainless build gives a premium weight
- + Signature design celebrates the classic Derby cocktail
- - Single branded cup costs more than generic sets
- - Pewter needs gentle hand washing to keep its finish
#6A single stainless steel mint julep cup in black, a matte-look metal cup for modern julep service.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + Black finish gives a modern twist on the classic julep cup
- + Stainless steel body will not break if dropped
- + Single cup is handy for replacing or expanding a set
- - Sold as one cup, so serving a group means buying several
- - Dark coating hides the frost that makes juleps look classic
Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged
No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.
- Polished surfaces show fingerprints and water spots (Mint Julep Cups Set of 4 with Straws -...)
- Metal cups get very cold to hold without a napkin (Mint Julep Cups Stainless Steel Set of 4 -...)
- Colored finish may wear with abrasive scrubbing (Gusto Nostro Mint Julep Cups Set of 4 -...)
- Mixed finishes may not suit a uniform table look (Sol Living Mint Julep Cups Bundle - 4 Copper...)
- Single branded cup costs more than generic sets (Maker's Mark Signature Julep Cup - Genuine...)
- Sold as one cup, so serving a group means buying several (Stainless Steel Mint Julep Cup in Black)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among julep cups (2026 buying guide)?
Mint Julep Cups Set of 4 with Straws - Polished 12 oz Commercial Grade Stainless Steel Derby Cups is our top overall pick. A set of 4 polished 12 oz commercial grade stainless steel Derby julep cups with straws for Kentucky Derby parties. It earns our score of 8.6/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
Mint Julep Cups Stainless Steel Set of 4 - Metal 12 oz Cocktail Glasses is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. A set of 4 stainless steel mint julep cups at 12 oz, metal cups for juleps, smashes and crushed ice drinks.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span See on Amazon price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
Cocktail Gear Hub independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.
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