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Part n
SECTION XVII
JULEPS
THE MINT JULEP
The Mint Julep is an American beverage, although the
original Julep was an ancient Persian drink described by
dictionaries as being an agreeable Uquid medicine in
which repulsive medicines are taken. Captain Marryatt
was the first Englishman to write about it in the year 1815,
saying that he was entertained by one of the wealthiest
planters in the Southern States of America. There were
many varieties of Juleps, he wrote, such as those made of
Claret, Madeira, etc., but the one on which he lavished the
most adjectives was the Mint Julep, of which he gave
the recipe.
"Put into a tumbler about a dozen sprigs of the
tender shoots of mint, upon them put a spoonful of
white sugar, equal proportion of Peach or common
Brandy so as to fill it up to one-third or a trifle less.
Then take pounded ice and fill up the tumbler.
Epicures wet the lip of the tumbler with a piece of
fresh pineapple and the tumbler itself is very often
encrusted with ice. When the ice melts you drink."
It will be seen from the above that Mint Juleps were
originally made with wines and brandy, and according to
records, it was not until the Civil War broke out in 1861
that Bourbon was used, either from patriotic reasons or
necessity, and the habit thus acquired has persisted to the
present day.
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