The Mint Julep is very old mixed drink. The word “julep” is derived from Arabic word gulab – a sweet syrupy drink in which medicine was given in the past. First recording about julep as alcoholic beverage flavored with mint was in 1787.

The Julep was born somewhere in South of USA – in Maryland, Virginia or North Carolina in the early to mid 1700s. The author of this cocktail is unknown. The Modern Mint Julep with bourbon was born in second half of the XIX century somewhere in Kentucky.

The Modern Mint Julep is cocktail consist of bourbon, sugar, mint and water.

Mint Julep

dozen of fresh tender mint leaf
1-2 bsp. sugar
1-2 tsp. water
75-90 ml bourbon
Delicate bruise mint, sugar and water on the bottom of frosted old-fashioned glass (or, preferable, silver or pewter julep cup) than add crushed ice and little of bourbon and swirl the drink until glass frosted. Than add more bourbon and ice, garnish with sprig of mint.

Use frosted glassware, very cold and dry crushed ice and bonded (over-proof) bourbon for great results. Also use metal (silver or pewter traditionally) cups for great look.

The properly made Mint Julep is gorgeous drink with great balanced smooth sweet and strong taste. It is so strong, very strong cocktail with power kick. The main palate of Mint Julep is spicy bourbon and mint sweetness.