Like spiked, nutmeg-sprinkled eggnog during the holidays and ice-cold gin and tonics in the summer, the mint julep is a cocktail that enjoys a season of its own. In this case, derby weekend in the great Commonwealth of Kentucky. And like those other drinks, I look forward to imbibing juleps all year long.
Before I give you a recipe (check it out below!), let's start with a little history.
The history of the mint julep cocktail
The mint julep got its start as an Arabic drink made with water and rose petals dubbed the julab. Eventually, mint replaced the rose petals, thus creating the first mint julep. A dash of Kentucky bourbon later, it became a favorite in the Bluegrass State.
