THE MINT JULEP'S LONG JOURNEY
Sipping a mint julep is as much a part of the Derby Day experience as betting on the horses.
It’s the traditional drink of the Kentucky Derby, and there are many legends surrounding it.
According to Kentucky Hospitality: A 200-Year Tradition: A boatman made the first mint julep when he left the Mississippi River in search of spring water to mix with his bourbon. On a whim, he added mint growing beside the spring. The date of invention is unknown, but the concoction of bourbon, water, sugar and mint was adopted by genteel Kentucky society in the 19th century.
Chris Morris, master distiller for Woodford Reserve Bourbon and American spirits historian, said the julep has its roots in the Arab world. Every year, the historic racetrack serves more than 140,000 mint juleps between Oaks and Derby Day.
“Centuries ago, there was an Arabic drink called julab, made with water and rose petals,” Morris said.
When the julab was introduced to the Mediterranean region, the native population replaced the rose petals with mint, a plant indigenous to the area.
The mint julep, as it was now called, grew in popularity throughout Europe.
“The biggest change for the julep was the addition of American whiskey to the recipe,” Morris said. “The flavorful American whiskey perfectly complemented the mint julep. The julep was quickly transformed into a mixture of water, sugar, mint leaves and good American whiskey.
“The julep was originally a morning drink. It was the spirited equivalent of coffee in today’s society -- just the drink needed to get the morning started and the ultimate picker-upper,” Morris said.
Through the years, the drink started showing up at regional horse races, where the mint julep made the transition from a morning drink to a “sipping” cocktail.
This is Morris’ mint julep recipe:
Mint julep
• 3 to 5 mint leaves
• 1 teaspoon powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons water
• 2 to 2 1/2 ounces Woodford Reserve bourbon
• Crushed ice
Muddle (stir/gently crush) four mint springs and sugar in the bottom of a julep glass or silver cup.
Add water, continuing to muddle contents to a paste.
Add Woodford Reserve bourbon.
Pack the julep glass with crushed ice.
Garnish with a mint sprig and add a sipping straw.
If a metal julep cup is used, be sure to use a wooden muddler (bottom of a wooden spoon) instead of metal spoon to eliminate the possibility of scratching your julep cup.
