![]() You don’t have to pour the most expensive or unique bourbon in order to make the drink shine. The best bourbon to use for a Mint Julep is one that you enjoy. ![]() ![]() The Five Best Bourbons for Making Mint Juleps This production takes 254,000 ounces of bourbon, 4,000 pounds of fresh mint and 60,000 pounds of ice. It’s estimated that 120,000 mint juleps are enjoyed at the Derby each year. The venue began to serve the cocktail in souvenir glasses for 75 cents a drink. In 1938 the julep became Churchill Down’s signature drink. Of course, the history of the Mint Julep is not complete without discussing its signature spot at the Kentucky Derby. The Mint Julep then flipped back to bourbon following the war. However, after America got rich again the julep turned into a brandy drink - but only up until the Civil War when the country started losing money. The cocktail started out as a rum drink, and then during the Revolutionary War, it was made with whiskey. In 1803 the Mint Julep was first referenced in print as “dram of spirituous liquor that has mint in it, taken by Virginians in the morning.” While the cocktail was originally a Virginia drink, bartender Orsamus Willard at the City Hotel in New York really popularized the version we know today with shaved ice. He says, “One sip and pow! The farmers were ready to face the long day.” The julep was seen as an equivalent of coffee in today’s society. He also believes it to be the first true American drink.Īdditionally, Woodford Reserve’s master distiller, Chris Morris, states that the cocktail’s popularity began when farmers would wake up at dawn to begin work. According to David Wondrich, one of the world’s most authoritative sources on cocktail history, there are two references to the julep being a recreational drink in 1770 in Virginia. The Mint Julep is a drink that has truly been around for ages. While it’s often enjoyed within the context of the Kentucky Derby, we believe a classic Mint Julep is meant for year-round pleasure. We can’t blame her - this bourbon mint cocktail is rather intriguing. ![]() It appears Gone with the Wind’s iconic Scarlett O’Hara could’ve been wooed by the smell of a Mint Julep cocktail on a man’s breath. Stir and garnish with lots of fresh mint.“His breath in her face was strong with Bourbon whiskey mingled with the faint fragrance of mint.a combination of odors that she always associated with her father and instinctively liked in other men.” If you’re a mint julep purist, you can skip that step. Because I really love lemon, I brighten mine up with a squeeze of lemon. To make the cocktails, fill each glass with crushed ice, bourbon, and simple syrup. It can also be stored in the fridge for up to 1 week. Strain and chill the minty simple syrup until you’re ready to serve. To make it minty, remove the pan from the heat, add the mint and let it steep for 15 minutes to infuse the mint flavor. Simple syrup is actually simple to make! Just simmer water and sugar in a small saucepan, continuing to stir until the sugar is dissolved. It makes my mint julep that more minty, plus it’s easier to make for a group, since you can prep the syrup ahead of time. Instead of muddling the mint, I like to make my mint julep by infusing the simple syrup with mint. It’s so bright and springy! To be honest, I’m going to have a hard time choosing whether to celebrate my weekend with Margaritas or Mint Juleps – maybe I’ll make both.:)Ī classic mint julep is made by muddling mint with simple syrup at the bottom of each cocktail glass before adding crushed ice and bourbon. Happy Saturday! Whether you’re a fan of the Kentucky Derby or not, you’ll be a fan of this minty fresh mint julep recipe.
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