Gusto Nostro Mint Julep Cups Set of 4 - Stainless Steel Kit with Straws, Muddler, Spoon (Rose) Review (2026)

A complete kit rather than just cups

This set includes 4 mint julep cups along with a set of straws, a muddler and a spoon, plus recipe cards, which means the basics needed to actually make a mint julep are included rather than sold separately. That matters for anyone who does not already own a muddler, since crushing mint and sugar together is a core step in the drink and a dedicated tool makes it easier than improvising with the back of a spoon. Having matching straws included also keeps the set looking coordinated rather than mixing in whatever straws happen to be in a kitchen drawer. For someone building out a home bar around Kentucky Derby season or Southern-style cocktails, this bundles the accessories in one purchase instead of several.

Stainless steel construction

The cups are made of stainless steel rather than the sterling silver traditionally used for mint julep cups, which gives a similar cold-to-the-touch feel and classic shape without the tarnishing that silver cups require regular polishing to avoid. Stainless steel is also more forgiving of everyday use, going through a dishwasher or getting knocked around at an outdoor gathering, in a way that soft silver is not. The tradeoff is that a colored finish like rose gold sits on top of the base metal, and abrasive scrubbing or harsh cleaning pads can wear that finish down over time in a way that plain stainless would not show as easily. Hand washing and a soft sponge will keep the color looking newer for longer.

The rose finish

Rose is one of the color options Gusto Nostro offers on this cup set, alongside more traditional silver and gold finishes, and it gives the classic julep cup shape a warmer, more modern look than the plain metal most people associate with Derby-style cups. This kind of finish tends to suit a home bar cart or a table setting built around a softer, blush-toned aesthetic rather than a strictly traditional silver bar setup. Because the color is a coating over stainless steel rather than a solid-colored alloy, care around scrubbing matters more than it would with an uncoated cup, but for everyday rinsing and gentle washing it should hold up fine over normal use.

Where indoors and outdoors fit in

Gusto Nostro markets this set as suited for both indoor and outdoor use, which lines up with how mint julep cups typically get used at patio parties, balcony gatherings, tailgates and Derby watch parties as much as at an indoor bar. Stainless steel is a sensible material choice for that kind of use since it will not shatter like glass if it gets knocked off an outdoor table, and it handles being left out during a long afternoon party better than a more delicate material would. The included straws and muddler travel along with the cups just as easily, so the whole kit can move from a kitchen counter to a backyard table without needing separate tools left behind.

Who should consider this set

This set suits anyone who wants to start making mint juleps or similar crushed-ice cocktails without already owning a muddler, bar spoon and matching cups, and who likes the rose finish over plain silver or gold. It works well as a gift for a bourbon fan or as a self-purchase ahead of Derby season or a themed party. Because Gusto Nostro is a newer brand without the decades of reputation that classic barware makers like sterling silver julep cup producers have built up, buyers who specifically want a heritage brand name may prefer a more established maker, but for practical everyday use this bundled set covers the essentials in one purchase.

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