Mint Julep Day!

The Derby may be over and Bing Crosby's horse still hasn't come in yet, but today is

National Mint Julep Day

Those from Kentucky may take umbrage at this, but I didn't make this up. The Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau - Fun Facts claim that the Mint Julep originated at Mint Springs in the Vicksburg National Military Park in Mississippi. This fact is hotly contested. The first appearance of a mint julep in print came in Travels of Four Years and a Half in the United States of America, a book by John Davis published in London in 1803, where it was described as "a dram of spirituous liquor that has mint steeped in it, taken by Virginians of a morning."

I leave this up to you.

Traditional Mint Julep

• 1 scant ounce minted simple syrup
• 2 cups crushed ice
• 2 ounces bourbon (such as Woodford Reserve)
• Fresh mint sprig, for garnish

To highball glass or silver Julep cup (see above image), add minted simple syrup, then 1 cup crushed ice, bourbon, and splash of water. Add enough of remaining ice to almost fill glass. Stir well and garnish with mint sprig.             

Recipe Adapted from The Old Steelbach Bar, Lexington, KY.

The Bing Crosby reference is a running gag about the entertainer's notorious losses at the track.

©2011 Wait At The Bar