Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-13
FAVORITE MINT JULEP
HOW THE FRAGRANT BEVERAGE
FIRST CAME TOGETHER.
Origin of That Other Seductive Drink,
the american Cocktail and Their
Contention for Favor.


fluid in a manner which can tickle the throt-
tie so delightfully."- as these two World-fa-
nous connections.
The genesis of the mint julep has been
the subject of discussion in newspapers on
various and sundry occasions, and some
writers have stoutly maintained that it is
the invention of eminent scholars and
statesmen of the present day Others go a
| little more literally and say the juep came
into popularity within the past century.
1t is not difficult to trace the history of
this enhancing and seductive beverage back
to the middle of the sixteenth century. In
the memoirs of Jeremy Lane tSalem, 1649)
reference is made to drink compounded of
mint herb and heating spirits, which is
grateful to the palate when cooled in a
stone jug at the spring." while the Boston
Gazette of August II, 1867, contains local
item in which occurs the statement that the
"drowneded m,-n was known to have drunk
several goblets of mixture composed of
Holland gin favored with mint before he
fell off the wharf" The Gazette adds
that this should be an example to those
who have lately formed TIE habit of i'm
billing with too much frequency what the
puDlikans and tavern-kecpers call mint
dewlip.'
"Julep' is evidently a corruption of the
proper name, and one which is due to the
heaviness of the pronunciation of those who
formed the habit of ordering it.
McMaster, the historian, in one of his
books. quotes from the diary of an English
man who Travelled in Virginia early in the
eighteenth century and who makes men
ton of drink Favored by bruising mini"
How long prior to this the Virginians had
enjoyed the bruised mint and liquor WILL
perhaps. never be recorded, but the present
day lmbbers in the good old state stick to
the mint julep with bulldog tenacity. They
were drinking the seductive connection long
before Daniel Boone penetrated into the
interminable forests of Kentucky, to which
state some writers have endeavored to
award the claim of the birthplace of the
mint julep If history must decide TIE
mint julep originated in Massachusetts, al
though it is generally believed to be a
southern product.
That convivial institution known as the
'cocktaT' was ushered into this world of
trouble during the days of the American
revolution. and the origin of the peculiar
appellation given this essentially American
concoction, which has gone the length and
breadth Of the civilized world into the
clubs where men-and women, be it ac-
acknowledgements, makes interesting
reading.
During the period of the revolution one
Patrick Flanagan, a jolly and popular
1rishman, enlisted in a company of Vir-
ginia cavalry. He had recently married an
Irish girl who was intensely American in
her sentiments, and who was determined to
go with her Patrick wherever she could. The
officers were informed of her intentions. and
in the spirit of fun encouraged her. but
she made herself useful in SO many ways
that she became recognized as necessary
adjunct to the company. Her husband
died, and the colonel Of the company asked
the young widow what she would do,
now that her husband was gone. She
stoutly declared that nothing would part
her from her beloved company If they
would allow her to remain. This so pleased
the officers that in few days she wcs
informed that she might act as suffer to
the company, but orders had been received
which would take the company to New
York, and if she did not wish to go so far
away from home they would endeayor to
get her a similar position in another COM
pany which would remain south. But Betsy
Flanasan's heart was true to her Patrick's
transfer her allegiance.
So the question was settled, and in 1719
the company wintered at a place in West
chester county, near New York called
-Four Corners" between White Plains and
Tarrytown. At this point Betsy set UP a
tavern. There were sanded floors and con-
venient little stalls and rooms whore the
American and French officers met fire.
Nv md Me lrlc.
new kind of drink compounded by the
young widow, and which she called a
"bracer'-a drink which made the little
tavern famous.
In the neighborhood of Betsy's tavern,
which finally became known as THE
Bracer Tavern" lived upon fine estate an
fine horses and splendid poultry, all i'm
ported from the mother country. He was a
rabid loyalst and was an object of hatred
to the American soldiers and Of suspicion to
the people Whereabouts who favored the
hostile to this Englshman and his family
making dire threats of what she would do
when Gin il Washington" came. She was
always promising to feed the American and
French officers on the fine fowls from the
loyalst's yards. and they would tease her
about her delay in carrying out the prom
ises. One night when there was an unusual
attendance of the officers at The
Bracer' she invited them into her
6aSS1, rom where there was spread
a bountful feast of chickens done in
every conceivable style. The English
mans ch:cken1 coop had been raided
by some one. The owner was furious ,,t
entirely powerless. Among the pouItry
were several fine cocks of superior size and
breed and of unusual beauty, supporting
tail feathers of great height and of the
lovelest colors They were much admired
by people of the neighborhood and a local
poet had even immortalized them in verse
Betsy had not thrown away the trophies of
her capture, damaging as they were as
evidence against her, but she had spread
them tastefuily over the sideboard upon
the shelves of which stood bottles Of vari-
Gus sizes containing the delectable and now
renowned ''bracer.
After the chicken banquet was over
Betsy invited the guests into the tavern bar,
and with great pride and triumph pointed
to those feathered decorations. The sur
prise was complete and the event recognized
by three cheers for Betsy Flanagan, the
cause of the colonists and the discontinue