A HISTORY OF BOURBON IN FOUR COCKTAILS
Mint Julep
1700-1800s
n America’s southern states, people self-medicated with alcoholic pours as far back as the 18th century, when stomach-soothing ‘juleps’ (derived from the Arabic word ) featured alcohol steeped with mint. Given that bourbon itself didn’t emerge much earlier – and production only accelerated decades later with increased maize plantings and barrel-based transport – early renditions would have been made with rye. Thanks to local fans (Kentucky senator Henry Clay, Mississippi writer William Faulkner) plus its association with the Kentucky Derby horse race, where the drink has been officially served since the
