The Mint Julep—Five Fun Facts About The Official Drink Of The Kentucky Derby

People either love them or they hate them; there is no in-between. But there is one thing for certain, this lovely, lively libation is the most popular cocktail on that first Saturday in May.  The Mint Julep is simple to make and, for most of us, it is even easier to drink…but other than it’s the official drink of The Kentucky Derby, what do you really know about it?

Here are five fun facts about the mint julep that may surprise you!

1.     While the Mint Julep might be associated with the Southern United States more often than not its origin lies in the Middle East.  Centuries ago there was a Persian beverage featuring muddled rose petals and water called a “gulap.”  Eventually a sweetener resembling sugar was added.  Also, in the Mediterranean region, the rose petals were eventually replaced with mint leaves.  This “virgin” version of the Mint Julep was also used to treat an upset stomach.

2.     According to an article in Town & Country magazine, the first mention of a Mint Julep in print was in 1803…”a dram of spirituous liquor that has mint in it is taken by Virginians in the morning.”  It has been said that a watered-down version of a Mint Julep was taken every morning to help people working in the horse racing industry “jumpstart” their day—others suggest it was taken in the morning as a restorative and even to prevent mosquitos and malaria. 

3.     Bartenders at Churchill Downs began making the Mint Julep cocktail in about 1875 for the first Kentucky Derby.  Using basically the same recipe then as they do today, barkeeps would mix them up but discover that their mixing glasses were missing.  People were stealing them. So eventually, they began selling the beverage along with the glass for just 75 cents—and people got to keep the glass.  They are still sold this way at Churchill Downs—however the price is a wee bit steeper.  But this is the story behind the famous collectible Derby glasses—and I would venture to bet that almost everyone in Kentucky has at least one!

4.     The Mint Julep became the official drink of the Kentucky Derby in 1938 and they are just as popular today!  Here’s a look at some of the numbers:

·      More than 120,000 Mint Juleps are served on Derby Day each year

·      More than 10,000 bottles of Old Forester are opened.  Old Forester is from Kentucky’s Brown-Forman and is the official supplier of bourbon for the track

·      More than 60 tons—yes, tons—of shaved ice are used each year at Derby

·      About 1,000 pounds of fresh mint leaves are used

5.     Legend has it that the Mint Julep cocktail led to the patent for the drinking straw. The story is that in a man named Marvin Stone was sipping a Mint Julep and he used a piece of ryegrass to get every last drop from around the mint leaves. It worked but he decided he could make a better version.  Using a pencil as a model, he wrapped a piece of paper around and glued it into a tiny tube shape. Viola!  The first drinking straw was invented.  Mr. Stone patented his idea in 1888 and Stone Industries began mass producing them in 1888.

 So much history behind such a simple cocktail.  Made with just a handful of key ingredients, this frosty bourbon drink is so easy to make—but there are some serious rules that absolutely must be followed.  Fresh mint is a must, as is shaved or crushed ice. Cubes will not cut it.  And they do taste their very best in a frosty, silver julep cup.

Many a bar brawl has been started about how to make the perfect Mint Julep. It is rumored that Ernest Hemingway smashed his glass because of an inferior Mint Julep served to him in France, of all places.  The story goes that he produced a bottle of Maker’s Mark from his traveling bags, ordered the staff to pick fresh mint from the garden and he, himself, showed the barkeep exactly how it was done! In the Curious Kitchen has taken all the guess work out of concocting the perfect Mint Julep.  Check out the shop for our Mint Julep Cocktail Kits—with everything you will need to make a perfect Mint Julep, except the bourbon.  These kits make wonderful gifts and even contain a recipe for the Perfect Mint Julep and a Derby Party Playlist.

It is countdown to Derby in the Bluegrass.  Whether you are headed to Churchill Downs for the big day or you have plans to attend or host your own fabulous Derby Party, it will be a fun filled day and remember, Derby is not Derby without at least one Mint Julep.

Cheers!

MK