Mint Julep

We'll get to some history on the awesome Mint Julep cocktail recipe in just a moment, but first, here are a few other classic whiskey cocktails we think you'll enjoy: the Old Fashioned, the Whiskey Sour, the Irish Coffee, the Boulevardier, and the Flaming 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse. In regards to this gorgeous classic bourbon cocktail's history, the Mint Julep Wikipedia page notes that "The mint julep originated in the southern United States, probably during the eighteenth century." In terms of the "most classic" recipe (our words), the Mint Julep Wikipedia page says that "A mint julep is traditionally made with four ingredients: mint leaf, bourbon, simple syrup, and crushed ice." The Wiki adds that "Traditionally, spearmint is the mint of choice used in Southern states, and in Kentucky in particular." The Mint Julep is also associated with The Kentucky Derby, which is "a horse race that is held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival." It was Churchill Downs, a Thoroughbred racetrack located in Louisville, Kentucky, that first promoted the association of the Mint Julep with the Kentucky Derby. So if you're watching some horses and little jockeys do their thing while sipping on a sweet Mint Julep cocktail, you know who to thank. If you really want to go deep into the Mint Juleps background, check out this May, 2014 article in The Atlantic on the popular bourbon cocktail. This article notes that "As many as 120,000 mint juleps will be downed at Churchill Downs [during a Kentucky Derby]." The Atlantic was talking specifically about the 2014 Kentucky Derby, but we're pretty sure that number has stayed the same or gone up. Side note: If you're looking for other delicious mint cocktails, check out these bad boys.

MINT JULEP
2 oz. (60ml) Bourbon Whiskey
2 Tsp Water
1 Tsp Powdered Sugar
4 Mint Leaves
Garnish: Mint Leaves

PREPARATION
1. Add mint, sugar and water into base of glass and muddle gently.
2. Fill the glass with crushed ice and pour over whiskey. Stir well.
3. Garnish with a mint sprig.
DRINK RESPONSIBLY!