Historical Sips: The Mint Julep

The Mint Julep - History of the Mint Julep - Proper Mint Julep Technique and EtiquetteThe Kentucky Derby party just would not be complete without a mint julep, the traditional cocktail of Churchill Downs for nearly a century. Mint juleps are a snap to make, just sugar, water, bourbon, mint, and ice. But though easy in principal, the ceremony behind of the mint julep is hallowed ground for serious Southern mixologists. Each ingredient is specific in its makeup, and knowing the proper construction of the mint julep has long been a matter of honor for the Southern gentleman and gentlewoman; it is an ode to a time of civility.

Here, we’ll deconstruct this classic cocktail in hopes to bring everyone in on the Derby drinking fun.

 


Mint Julep traditional recipeA Derby Tradition

Having a Kentucky Derby party? Mix up some classic mint juleps with this recipe.

Get the recipe here…


 

But first, a word on origin…

Senator Henry Clay - the Great Compromiser - Bourbon Barrel Diplomacy - Henry Clay Center for StatesmanshipThe word julep refers to the drink’s sweetness. Stemming from the Persian word gulab—rosewater—juleps were syrupy medicated drinks consumed for a number of maladies as far back at the fourteenth-century. As things often do, the julep evolved to refer to any sweetened, chilled, and diluted alcoholic beverage in the late eighteenth-century, though was still vociferously consumed as a cure-all here in the United States.

As with most old-time cocktails, the true origin of the mint julep is one of mystery. But we do have a rather famous account of the drink, pointing to the debate that still roils today about the cocktail and its proper construction (for a cocktail that is seemingly so simple and straightforward, it certainly enlists vociferous arguments). So what is the correct way to make a mint julep?

In the nineteenth-century, the Great Compromiser himself, U.S. Senator Henry Clay, found himself embroiled in this very debate at the famed Round Robin Bar at the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C. Kentucky’s favorite son and statesman, Clay enjoyed his bourbon, famously shipping a barrel from his home state to use during his diplomatic efforts, something the Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship recreated just this past February in an effort to spur bipartisanship in Congress (good luck with that). As legend goes, Clay, dismayed by British Naval Captain Frederick Marryat’s insistence that a mint julep can be made with rum or brandy, roundy dispensed the proper way to construct one, as per his diary (courtesy of the University of Kentucky):

“The mint leaves, fresh and tender, should be pressed against a coin-silver goblet with the back of a silver spoon. Only bruise the leaves gently and then remove them from the goblet. Half fill with cracked ice. Mellow bourbon, aged in oaken barrels, is poured from the jigger and allowed to slide slowly through the cracked ice.

“In another receptacle, granulated sugar is slowly mixed into chilled limestone water to make a silvery mixture as smooth as some rare Egyptian oil, then poured on top of the ice. While beads of moisture gather on the burnished exterior of the silver goblet, garnish the brim of the goblet with the choicest sprigs of mint.”

And thus, Clay has been credited with introducing the bourbon-borne mint julep to the District of Colombia. Today, the mint julep has been tinkered with and diluted to the point that Senator Clay would surely not stand for compromise, insisting a return to the basics.

 

Etiquette

  • The mint julep is strictly an afternoon drink; never imbibe on one after the sun sets.
  • Do not try to pair a mint julep with food. Savor this sip on its own; you owe that to America.
  • Do not grab that frosted goblet with your hand alone; wrap the cup with a cocktail napkin or cloth. This not only helps sop up the surfeit of condensation this drink creates, but the barrier also helps insulate the drink, slowing your body heat from warming the cocktail.
  • Gents, wear a bowtie when sipping on a julep; it’s tradition. Ladies, white gloves and hats are not just a thing of fashion, but a must when enjoying a mint julep on a spring afternoon.

 

Ingredients

Mint

Senator Clay calls for “fresh and tender,” and “the choicest sprigs of mint” for his libation, so you must do the same. Try using red-stemmed mint. With aroma and taste of both spearmint and peppermint, the mint is not overpowering, though gives a fleshing bite—a nice counter to the sweetness of the bourbon and sugar. But, in a pinch, just about any mint will do, as long as it is fresh and clean.

red-stemmed mint - mint julep ingredients from Henry CLay

As for proper mint utilization, a soft touch goes a long way. If you are overly zealous with that muddler, the end result is a pulpy mess that will leave a grassy, vegetal flavor rather than crisp mint. Senator Clay calls for delicately rubbing the mint leaves with a spoon on the inner walls of the cup. Fancy, yes, necessary, no. If you’re the muddling type, easy does it—gently bruise the leaves with that barroom baton.

For an even lighter touch, simply slap those mint leaves once or twice, rub the leaves on the inside of the glass, and drop in for the rest of the cocktail construction. The goal is to release the oils trapped in the leave’s tiny capillaries; a heavy hand simply damages and releases sap. Also, be sure to spank that minty garnish before serving; smell is just as important as taste when enjoying food and drink.

 

Ice

Cracked Ice - Proper Mint Julep Construction

Oft overlooked in cocktail construction, ice is actually a crucial component, especially when utilized properly—it’s not just for cooling. For the mint julep, ice has to be cracked. Period. This is not just for aesthetic reasons, but helps cool the cocktail quickly when stirring, frosting the metal cup in the process, as well as providing dilution to the drink. Ice cubes simply are not conducive to this type of quick cool down—cracked ice offers a better ratio of liquid volume to ice surface area (science). And making cracked ice could not be easier, if you follow this simple method:

  • Ice Cubes + Ziploc Bag + Wooden Mallet = Cracked Ice. It’s a pretty simple equation, one that can be performed easily in just about any location. The one variable in the mix, the Ziploc bag, can be substituted for a clean, clean (I can’t stress clean enough here) canvas bag or sack, giving a little more durability for good, clean ice breaking fun. When your done, transfer the ice to a container to serve, draining any water from the mix before so.

 

Bourbon

Clay’s recipe calls for a “mellow bourbon, aged in oaken barrels…” As of 1964, all bourbon is aged in oak barrels, when the United States Congress recognized bourbon whisky as a “distinctive product of the Untied States,” enforcing a set of guidelines for the making of bourbon through the Federal Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits (27 C.F.R. 5.22). This states that bourbon must be made with a grain mix of at least 51 percent corn; distilled to no more than 160 proof; neither coloring nor flavoring can be added; must be aged in new, charred oak barrels; among other restrictions.

Maker's Mark Bourbon Whisky - Barrels - Proper Mint Julep Construction

With that said, there are plenty of variations in the nose and tasting notes of bourbon from distiller to distiller. For mellower bourbon with a sweet streak, you cannot go wrong with Maker’s Mark – it uses limestone water, and is the bourbon of choice at the Round Robin Bar today – double bonus. If you’re into a richer flavor, try bourbon with a higher proof, like Wild Turkey Rare Breed (108 proof).

 

Water

Limestone Water - stream in Kentucy fed by a limestone karst springThe water component of the mint julep is a little tricky if we’re sticking to Clay’s recipe, which calls for limestone water. Limestone water is an essential ingredient in the bourbon making process, both in Clay’s day and today (many insist it should be a requirement in the makeup of bourbon, though there is no distinction of what type of water must be used in making the spirit), with most distillers simply using the water that was around their distilleries. Kentucky is home to ancient limestone karst aquifers and springs that have been feeding the bourbon industry for centuries. High in pH, limestone water is also high in minerals like calcium, while filtering out impurities like iron – a death knell to the flavor of spirits, especially bourbon.

Today, limestone water, like fresh water in general, is becoming a coveted resource. Maker’s Mark Distillery’s nearly 700-acre tract of land centers on a karst spring, ensuring a steady supply of the ingredient. But for many distilleries, a direct line to limestone water simply is not in the cards, so reverse osmosis helps purify their H2O.

Old Limestone - Bourbon Mixing Water for the Home Bar For the home bar, what’s in the cup? For the truly dedicated, Old Limestone offers bottled bourbon mixing water ($6.95 for two liters, available on Amazon), which is sourced directly from bourbon country, bottled direct from Kentucky’s limestone aquifers. If you are looking for an authentic mint julep, this is the water for you, so having a bottle or two in the home bar is not a bad idea for the bourbon drinker—it’s also a great add for bourbon with a splash of water.

If the idea of purchasing designer water for your cocktails is a bit much, try a flat mineral water, available at most wine and spirits stores.

 

Sugar

 

Raw Sugar - granulated sugar - mint julep cocktail

Though many recipes call for simple syrup, if you’re making just a few juleps, granulated sugar is the way to go. In Clay’s day, refined sugar—everyday white sugar—was readily available, but there is not telling if this was what he used; “granulated sugar” can take on many forms. For my personal taste, I prefer raw sugar. Light brown in appearance, and usually larger granules, raw sugar goes through less refining, leaving a bit more molasses in the final product—hence the color.

 

The Chalice

Mint Julep SIlver Cups

The cup is key. Part of the ceremony of the mint julep is the goblet. Traditionally, mint juleps are served in silver cups, and for good reason: For anyone that has enjoyed a proper mint julep, you know what a delight that icy cold cup can be, especially on a sweltering May day. When stirring the cocktail, metal takes on the icy cold temperature much faster than glass, allowing it to frost without excessive dilution, and sipping from a properly frosted mug gives an extra kick of coolness to the lips. And while metal is not exactly the best insulator (there is a reason we use metal in electrical wire and glass in insulation), the silver cup does reflect the sun’s warming rays much better than a clear glass—a daytime drinking bonus, especially in the Sunshine State (see what I did there?). But at the end of the day, it is just fun to break from the normal glassware routine and imbibe from a chalice every now and then—this is tradition with purpose.

Tip: Since metal cups tend to warm your cocktail quicker, especially in a cup where the cocktail in constructed in the same cup as it is consumed (unlike shaken cocktails which are made in a shaker), try cooling them before serving. You can do this by placing the cups in the freezer or refrigerator for a spell, or fill them with ice and water for five minutes before serving, though this is wasteful. This makes for less work on the ice—more ice will melt in order to cool the cup, making for a more diluted drink; the cooler the cup is at the beginning means less agitation to reach the proper temperature.

 

Stirring a mint julep - the proper way to stir a cocktailStirred vs. Shaken

Vesper martini the mint julep is not. Proper mint julep construction calls for a good healthy stir of a bar spoon. This not only helps blend the ingredients, it also helps with dilution while frosting the julep cup. Never, ever shake a mint julep; this speeds up the dilution process, watering the drink down prematurely, while making for a foamy, rather unpleasant cocktail.

Stirring 101

  • In a chilled metal cup, add cracked ice—about two-thirds of the cup. Pour ingredients over ice.
  • The goal when stirring a cocktail is to keep your arm and fingers stiff—its all about the wrist. Hold the spoon between your thumb and the first two fingers (pointer and middle) of your dominant hand. Place the spoon in the cocktail, with the spoon touching the bottom of the glass.
  • Stir for about 60 seconds, or until the glass becomes frosted—don’t over do it, this will water the cocktail down.

 

Exceptions

With every tradition come the rule-bucking exceptions. Here’s a few that have become accepted over time.

In the case of mint julep construction, if you are hosting a larger gathering, mixing up dozens of juleps can become some exhausting work. One corner-cutting technique introduced to the mixologist’s bag of tricks is that of simple syrup. A snap to make, the sugar water helps speed the process of mixing sugar to the point of dissolving. So if you are planning on throwing a thoroughbred bash with your closest 100 friends, pre-planning with a minty simple syrup just might make for an easier go at bartending. And as the name implies, simple syrup is simple to make. Here’s our go-to Derby recipe:

Mint Simple Syrup

Yields 4 cups

  • 4 cups sugar
  • 4 cups water
  • Mint sprigs

Method

In a small saucepan, bring water to a soft boil (bubbles barely bursting). Add sugar and stir until totally dissolved – about five minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Transfer to a covered container, add two sprigs of mint (about 12 to 16 leaves), slapping the leaves before so. Cover and refrigerate over night; strain simple syrup, removing leaves, before use.

Note: If using a simple sryup for a mint juelp, substitue 1 oz. for sugar and water.

 

Aluminum is the new silver…

Arthur Court - Sand-Cast Aluminum Mint Julep CupOver the years, the use of actual silver has become sort of passé. Having to polish before and after use can be tedious. So, if buffing that metal is not your thing, a great substitute for the silver julep chalice is the aluminum julep chalice. Silver has a much higher thermal conductivity then aluminum, nearly double. What this means is that silver will cool quicker, but also warm quicker. Aluminum may take a bit longer to cool—a few more seconds stirring should remedy the difference—but will also stay a bit cooler longer. But a simple aluminum chalice will not do; we’re talking Derby, so things need to be choice. Arthur Court Designs has a great selection of sand-cast aluminum serveware, including Kentucky Derby, Equestrian and Collegiate (get a cup with your alma mater emblazoned on it—largely SEC schools and a few southern universities thrown in for good measure) collections that include a selection of julep chalices. These pieces have the look and feel of silver—finely polished and hefty—without all the pain silver causes. And the best part, price is kind—it’s a win win.

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