Birth of a Southern Classic, a History of the Official Cocktail of the Kentucky Derby

From Ancient Roots to Southern Staple

  Ahh, the Mint Julep.  Just the name evokes an image of the slow and steady rhythmic motion of a wooden chair rocking back and forth on a large front porch of a stately Southern home on a hot and humid afternoon, where one might be relaxing after a long day while sipping an ice-cold refreshing beverage from a frosted silver goblet.  Or, perhaps, you’ve just placed your bet on what you hope will be the second coming of Secretariat, American Pharoah or Justify.  Dressed to impress wearing your grandest derby attire and finest topper and you’re hardly seen without one of those ice-cold pewter julep cups in hand, almost as if the mint julep is an extension of the ensemble itself.  The mint julep, a quintessentially Southern drink, traces its origins far beyond the borders of the United States. The term "julep" is derived from the Persian word "gulab" and Arabic "julab," both meaning rosewater, suggesting that the original juleps were medicinal drinks sweetened with sugar and scented with rose petals or rosewater. Over time, as the concept of the julep traveled through the Mediterranean and into Europe, the recipe transformed, incorporating indigenous mint instead of rose for its aromatic and digestive properties.  As the beverage migrated throughout Europe brandy and cognac would replace the water and eventually the julep would find its way to America where it would continue to evolve with regional tastes. 

Preparing “Golab” or Rose Water

  The mint julep entered America's cocktail scene through Virginia, where it evolved from a genteel morning tonic into a social staple of the upper class. Made primarily from mint, sugar, water, and spirits such as rum or brandy, the early American version of the julep was a symbol of wealth and leisure, often enjoyed in the morning. As the drink moved southward, bourbon replaced other spirits, cementing the mint julep's status as a distinctly Southern refreshment.

 First Reference in Print

  The first known reference to the mint julep in print can be found in a book called "Travels of Four Years and a Half in the United States of America" by John Davis, published in 1803. In his book, Davis describes the mint julep as:

 “a dram of spirituous liquor that has mint in it, taken by Virginians in the morning.”

 Literary and Presidential Endorsements

  The Mint Julep has been enjoyed and referenced by numerous literary figures. Charles Dickens, Hunter S. Thompson, Ernest Hemingway, and William Faulkner are among the eminent who have succumbed to its charm.  Once upon being served an apparently unsatisfactory Mint Julep in a Parisian watering hole, Hemingway threw his glass against a wall causing quite a scene which, as luck would have it, was observed by some travelling Kentuckians, who manifested a bottle of bourbon from their travel bag, called for some sugar and mint and a proper julep was made for Papa Hemingway.  Faulkner’s personal silver julep goblet is on display at his homestead in Oxford, MS, and he himself was known to hop behind the bar Musso & Frank’s in Hollywood to prepare his own Mint Juleps.  The drink appears throughout American literature, notably in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s "The Great Gatsby" and Margaret Mitchell's "Gone with the Wind," underlining its integration into American culture.  Fitzgerald writes the Mint Julep into “The Great Gatsby” on multiple occasions.  Jay Gatsby’s romantic interest, Daisy Buchanan, a wealthy socialite from Louisville, KY was clearly a devoted fan of what would eventually become the official drink of her hometown hosted Kentucky Derby.  Fitzgerald uses the Mint Julep to evoke a sense of the South's lingering cultural influence on Daisy, who, despite living in the North, clings to certain Southern comforts and traditions that are associated with ease and nostalgia. The drink in this context is not just a refreshment but a momentary escape to a gentler, more refined way of life amidst the chaos of their personal conflicts and the frenzied pace of Jazz Age society.  In a heated scene between Daisy’s husband Tom and Gatsby on an even hotter day at the Plaza Hotel in New York City Fitzgerald writes:

 “That’s a great expression of yours, isn’t it” said Tom sharply.

“What is?”

“All this ‘old sport’ business.  Where’d you pick that up?”

“Now see here, Tom,” said Daisy, turning around from the mirror, “if you’re going to make personal remarks I won’t stay here a minute.  Call up and order some ice for the Mint Julep.”

  Travelling back over half a century from the Jazz Age of Great Gatsby to the 1860’s, Margaret Mitchell was sure to include the refreshing southern libation in her Civil War era novel “Gone with the Wind” highlighting the role of the Mint Julep in southern culture at the time, long before it was canonized in derby tradition.  Perhaps one of the most well-known fictional Southern Belles, Scarlet O’Hara, seemed to approve of the aroma of a good Mint Julep as Mitchell writes:

 “His breath in her face was strong with Bourbon whisky mingled with the faint fragrance of mint.    Accompanying him also were the smells of chewing tobacco, well-oiled leather, and horses-a combination of odors that she always associated with her father and instinctively liked in other men.”  

  In the 1939 blockbuster film adaptation of Mitchells novel the Mint Julep serves as a symbol of Southern culture and hospitality, encapsulating the gentility and leisure of the antebellum South.  Its few appearances in the film are notable for their depiction of Southern social rituals and the nuances of character interactions most notably when Scarlett O'Hara visits the plantation of Ashley Wilkes, where the atmosphere of the barbecue at Twelve Oaks is rich with the flavors of Southern aristocracy, including the sipping of Mint Juleps. The Mint Julep here symbolizes the relaxed and genteel lifestyle of the Southern elite before the Civil War disrupts their world. It's a scene of social and romantic complexities, where the drink adds a touch of festive sophistication.  The serving of Mint Juleps in such settings is portrayed not just as a matter of refreshment but as an integral part of social etiquette, embodying the grace and hospitality that were highly valued in the South.

  The Mint Juleps charms were not limited to Southerners, scribes, and equestrian spectators.  President Theodore Roosevelt had a well-known penchant for cocktails, among them the Mint Julep, which he particularly enjoyed and often served to guests at the White House, even preparing his own recipe. His appreciation for this quintessentially Southern drink was part of his broader charm and hospitality, which he used effectively in both social and political settings.  Roosevelt took his cocktails seriously, to the extent that he ensured a steady supply of fresh mint was available and growing in the White House Garden. This mint was specifically used for making fresh mint juleps, a detail that underscored his personal touch and interest in the drinks served at his administration's gatherings. 

 The Rough Riders Mint Julep

 ·         10 to 12 fresh mint leaves “muddled” (until it resembles paste) with a splash of water and a sugar cube

·         2 to 3 oz rye whiskey

·         .25 oz brandy

·         1-2 sprigs fresh mint for garnish

 First fill a bar glass with the muddled mint, then fill the glass generously with finely crushed ice.

Top off with the rye, brandy, and mint garnish.

Official Drink of the Kentucky Derby

  The Mint Julep's association with the Kentucky Derby is a storied part of its history, making it a symbol of both the sport of horse racing and Southern hospitality. This connection officially began in 1938 when the Mint Julep was promoted as the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, a tradition that has continued to this day.  However, the Mint Juleps association with the Derby can be traced long before the drinks designation as the official derby day cocktail.  The Mint Julep’s relationship with the Kentucky Derby is believed to go as far back as 1875 when Derby founder Colonel Meriweather Lewis Clark Jr. planted mint for the cocktail at the track.  The Kentucky Derby, often referred to as "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports," is held annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. It is the first leg of the American Triple Crown and is perhaps the most famous horse race in the United States. The Mint Julep became associated with the event in part because of its popularity in the South and because bourbon, the primary ingredient in the drink, is a key product of Kentucky.

  Each year, over 120,000 juleps are served over the two-day period of the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby weekend. The drink is traditionally served in a souvenir glass that features the names of past Derby winners. Over the years, these glasses have become collectible items, further enhancing the Mint Julep's cultural significance at the Derby.

 Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, and the Kentucky Derby

  Woodford Reserve, a premium small-batch Kentucky bourbon distillery, has played a significant role in this tradition since it became the official presenting sponsor of the Kentucky Derby. As part of its sponsorship, Woodford Reserve has been prominently featured in the promotion of the Mint Julep at the event and has been the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby since 1999.  Old Forester on the other hand is the official Mint Julep bourbon of the Derby and is the primary bottle being poured into the 120,000 julep cups over the derby weekend.  Old Forester also produces the official Mint Julep cocktail, a pre-bottled mint julep that’s ready to be poured over ice and enjoyed. Both Brown-Forman owned distilleries have become synonymous with the Kentucky Derby and Mint Julep. Woodford Reserve crafts a special "Woodford Reserve $1,000 Mint Julep" for the Derby, served in a custom-designed silver-plated julep cup and made with high-end ingredients, including mint from Ireland, spring water ice cubes from Bavaria, and Australian sugar. The proceeds from the sale of these luxury Mint Juleps are typically donated to charitable equestrian causes.  A super-premium $2,500 version is available as well which swaps the silver for gold. 

  Woodford Reserve and Old Forester’s involvement with the Kentucky Derby has helped to elevate the status of the Mint Julep to even greater heights, intertwining the drink with the luxury and prestige that the Derby embodies. This partnership not only highlights the cultural significance of the Mint Julep and its roots in Kentucky's bourbon-making tradition but also showcases the drink as an integral part of one of America's most celebrated sporting events.

 The Mint Julep is not merely a cocktail; it is a storied beverage woven into the fabric of American history and culture. From its ancient roots to its status as a symbol of Southern hospitality, the Mint Julep embodies a rich history that continues to evolve while maintaining its classic charm. Whether at Churchill Downs, a Kentucky Derby themed party, an idyllic Southern front porch, or a relaxed backyard gathering, the Mint Julep remains a cherished part of American tradition.