Mint julep - wikipedia Mint julep This article is about the cocktail. For the film, see Mint Julep ( film ). For the song, see One Mint Julep. Mint julep IBA official cocktail A mint julep served in the traditional silver cup. Type Cocktail Primary alcohol by volume Bourbon whiskey Served On the rocks ; poured over ice Standard garnish Mint sprig Standard drinkware Highball glass IBA specified ingredients 6 cL Bourbon whiskey 4 mint leaves 1 teaspoon powdered sugar 2 teaspoons water Preparation In a highball glass gently muddle the mint, sugar and water. Fill the glass with cracked ice, add Bourbon and stir well until the glass is well frosted. Garnish with a mint sprig. Mint julep recipe at International Bartenders Association The mint julep is a mixed alcoholic drink, or cocktail, consisting primarily of bourbon ( or some other spirit ), sugar, water, crushed or shaved ice, and fresh mint. As a bourbon - based cocktail, it is associated with the American South and the cuisine of the Southern United States in general, and the Kentucky Derby in particular. Contents 1 Preparation 2 History 3 The Kentucky Derby 4 See also 5 Notes 6 References 7 External links Preparation A mint julep is traditionally made with four ingredients : mint leaf, bourbon, simple syrup, and crushed ice. Traditionally, spearmint is the mint of choice used in Southern states, and in Kentucky in particular. Proper preparation of the cocktail is commonly debated, as methods may vary considerably from one bartender to another. The mint julep may be considered a member of a loosely associated family of drinks called `` smashes '' ( the brandy smash is another example, as well as the mojito ), in which fresh mint and other ingredients are muddled or crushed in preparation for flavoring the finished drink. The step further releases essential oils and juices into the mixture, intensifying the flavor from the added ingredient or ingredients. Traditionally, mint juleps were often served in silver or pewter cups, and held only by the bottom and top edges of the cup. This allows frost to form on the outside of the cup. Traditional hand placement may have arisen as a way to reduce the heat transferred from the hand to the silver or pewter cup. Today, mint juleps are most commonly served in a tall old - fashioned glass, Collins glass, or highball glass with a straw. History A mint julep The mint julep originated in the southern United States, probably during the eighteenth century. U.S. Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky introduced the drink to Washington, D.C., at the Round Robin Bar in the famous Willard Hotel during his residence in the city. The term `` julep '' is generally defined as a sweet drink, particularly one used as a vehicle for medicine. The word itself is derived from the Spanish `` julepe '', from Spanish Arabic, and this from the Persian word گلاب ( Golâb ), meaning rosewater. The mint julep was originally prescribed and appears in literature as early as 1784 `` sickness at the stomach, with frequent retching, and, at times, a difficulty of swallowing. I then prescribed her an emetic, some opening powders, and a mint julep. '' An appearance of a mint julep in print came in a book by John Davis published in London in 1803, where it was described as `` a dram of spirituous liquor that has mint steeped in it, taken by Virginians of a morning. '' Davis ' interviewee mentions his love for whiskey came from his daily preparation of the drink Americans enjoyed not only bourbon - based juleps during the nineteenth century, but also gin - based juleps made with genever, an aged gin. British Captain Frederick Marryat 's 1840 book Second Series of A Diary in America describes on page 41 the `` real mint julep '' thus : There are many varieties ( of Mint Julep ), such as those composed of Claret, Madeira, &c. ; but the ingredients of the real mint - julep are as follows. I learnt how to make them, and succeeded pretty well. Put into a tumbler about a dozen sprigs of the tender shoots of mint, upon them put a spoonful of white sugar, and equal proportions of peach and common brandy, so as to fill it up one - third, or perhaps a little less. Then take rasped or pounded ice, and fill up the tumbler. Epicures rub the lips of the tumbler with a piece of fresh pine - apple, and the tumbler itself is very often incrusted outside with stalactites of ice. As the ice melts, you drink. The 1862 edition of Bar - Tenders Guide : How to Mix Drinks or The Bon - Vivant 's Companion by Jerry Thomas includes five recipes for the mint julep ( as well as an illustration of how it is to be served ) allowing for either Cognac, brandy, gin, whiskey or sparkling Moselle. Thomas states of the mint julep, ``... a peculiarly American beverage... It was introduced ( later ) into England by Captain Maryatt. '' In 1916, the traditional Virginia recipe as served at the `` Old White '' is described... the famous old barroom, which was approached by a spiral staircase. Here in this dark, cool room, scented with great masses of fragrant mint that lay upon mountains of crushed ice, in the olden days were created the White Sulphur mint julep and the Virginia toddy, for which this place was famous the world over. The mint juleps were not the composite compounds of the present day. They were made of the purest French brandy, limestone water, old - fashioned cut loaf sugar, crushed ice, and young mint the foliage of which touched your ears... Recently, however, bourbon - based juleps have decisively eclipsed gin - based juleps. The Kentucky Derby The mint julep has been promoted by Churchill Downs in association with the Kentucky Derby since 1938. Each year almost 120,000 juleps are served at Churchill Downs over the two - day period of the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby, virtually all of them in specially made Kentucky Derby collectible glasses. In a contract arrangement between the Brown - Forman Corporation and Churchill Downs that has lasted more than 18 years, the Early Times Mint Julep Cocktail has been the designated `` official mint julep of the Kentucky Derby '', although the Early Times sold within the United States is a Kentucky whiskey, not a bourbon, due to its being aged in used, rather than new, oak barrels. However beginning in 2015, Old Forester, which is also produced by the Brown - Forman Corporation, is now `` the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, '' when sold as Old Forester Mint Julep Ready - to - Serve Cocktail. Since 2006, Churchill Downs has also served extra-premium custom - made mint juleps at a cost of $1000 each at the Kentucky Derby. These mint juleps were served in gold - plated cups with silver straws, and were made from Woodford Reserve bourbon, mint imported from Ireland, spring water ice cubes from the Bavarian Alps, and sugar from Australia. The proceeds were used to support charitable causes dedicated to retired race horses. Woodford Reserve, Early Times, and Old Forester are sister brands produced by Brown - Forman, and under the terms of its current marketing agreement with Churchill Downs, Woodford Reserve is called the `` official bourbon '' of the derby. In May 2008, Churchill Downs unveiled the world 's largest mint julep glass. Churchill Downs, in conjunction with Brown - Forman, commissioned the Weber Group to fabricate the 6 - foot ( 1.8 m ) tall glass ( 7.5 - foot ( 2.3 m ) if the mint sprig is included ). The glass was constructed from FDA food - grade acrylic, heated and molded into the shape of an official 2008 Derby glass. It had a capacity of 206 US gallons ( 780 l ; 172 imp gal ), and distributed the Early Times mint juleps at the Derby with an elaborate pumping system concealed within the `` stir straw ''. See also Liquor portal United States portal List of cocktails Old Fashioned `` One Mint Julep '' Notes Jump up ^ `` Mint Julep Ritual ''. Bencaudill.com. 1937 - 03 - 30. Retrieved 2010 - 07 - 30. Jump up ^ See Nickell, p. 31, for Clay 's recipe, taken from his diary. Jump up ^ Medical communications : Volume 1 - Page 242 by Society for Promoting Medical Knowledge in 1784 Jump up ^ Davis, John ( 1803 ). Travels of Four Years and a Half in the United States of America. p. 379. Retrieved 2009 - 05 - 04. Jump up ^ Marryat, C.B., Frederick. Second Series of A Diary in America : with remarks on its institutions, T.K. & P.G. Collins Publishing, Philadelphia, 1840, p. 41 Jump up ^ Thomas, Jerry ( 1862 ). Bar - Tender 's Guide : How to Mix Drinks or The Bon Vivant 's Companion. New York : Dick & Fitzgerald, Publishers. pp. 43 -- 45. ISBN 978 - 1440453267. Jump up ^ MacCorkle, William A., The White Sulphur Springs, the Traditions, History, and Social Life of the Greenbrier White Sulphur Springs, Neale Publishing Co., NY, 1916, p. 66 Jump up ^ Summer Drinks Issue - A Guide to Bartending When the Frost is on the Glass - NY Times Jump up ^ `` Derby Experience - Mint Julep ''. Churchill Downs Inc. Archived from the original on 2008 - 01 - 09. Retrieved 28 December 2008. Jump up ^ `` Early Times Whiskey Review - The Whiskey Reviewer ''. whiskeyreviewer.com. Jump up ^ `` Kentucky Derby ® -- Old Forester ''. Jump up ^ `` Mint Julep - 2018 Kentucky Derby & Oaks - May 4 and 5, 2018 - Tickets, Events, News ''. www.kentuckyderby.com. References Domine, David. Adventures in New Kentucky Cooking with the Bluegrass Peasant ( Kuttawa, KY : McClanahan Publishing House ), 2007. ISBN 0 - 913383 - 97 - X. The Mint Julep : The Very Dream of Drinks, from the Old Receipt of Soule Smith, Down in Lexington, Kentucky ( Lexington, KY : The Gravesend Press ), 1949. ( reprinted in 1964 ) Nickell, Joe. The Kentucky Mint Julep ( Lexington, KY : The University Press of Kentucky ), 2003. ISBN 0 - 8131 - 2275 - 9. Thompson, Hunter S., `` The Kentucky Derby ''. External links History of the mint julep The Greenbrier and the Mint Julep The Buckner Mint Julep Ceremony `` Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau - Fun Facts ''. Archived from the original on 2008 - 01 - 22. Includes claim that the Mint Julep originated at Mint Springs in the Vicksburg National Military Park. International Bartenders Association Official Cocktails List of IBA official cocktails The Unforgettables Alexander Americano Angel Face Aviation Bacardi cocktail Between the Sheets Casino Clover Club Daiquiri Derby Dry Martini Gin Fizz John Collins Manhattan Mary Pickford Monkey Gland Negroni Old Fashioned Paradise Planter 's Punch Porto flip Ramos Fizz Rusty Nail Sazerac Screwdriver Sidecar Stinger Tuxedo Whiskey Sour White Lady Contemporary Classics Bellini Black Russian Bloody Mary Caipirinha Champagne cocktail Cosmopolitan Cuba Libre French Connection French 75 Godfather Godmother Golden Dream Grasshopper Harvey Wallbanger Hemingway Special Horse 's Neck Irish coffee Kir Long Island Iced Tea Mai Tai Margarita Mimosa Mint julep Mojito Moscow mule Piña colada Rose Sea Breeze Sex on the Beach Singapore Sling Tequila Sunrise White Russian New Era Drinks Barracuda Bramble B - 52 Dark ' n ' Stormy Dirty Martini Espresso Martini French Martini Kamikaze Lemon drop Pisco Sour Russian Spring Punch Spritz Veneziano Tommy 's Margarita Vampiro Vesper Yellow Bird See also List of cocktails Classic cocktails Liquor portal Kentucky Derby Races 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1984 1985 1986 2017 2018 Related Churchill Downs Top 4 finishers Festival Museum Road to the Kentucky Derby `` My Old Kentucky Home '' Triple Crown Trophy Mint julep Derby pie Kentucky Oaks Broadcasters `` The Kentucky Derby Is Decadent and Depraved '' Kentucky Derby Winners Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mint_julep&oldid=847374716 '' Categories : Cocktails with whisky Cold drinks Cuisine of the Southern United States Kentucky cuisine Kentucky Derby Hidden categories : Articles with hRecipes Talk Contents About Wikipedia Български Deutsch Eesti Español Français Bahasa Indonesia Italiano Latina Nederlands 日本 語 Русский Svenska Українська 4 more Edit links This page was last edited on 24 June 2018, at 22 : 05 ( UTC ). 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Question: what is the drink for the kentucky derby
Answer: The mint julep