The early days
The mint julep has its origins as a medicinal drink dating at least as far back as the 1700s. In those days, a julep was a mix of alcohol, sugar, herbs, and water. Rum was the most common spirit, though brandy was also a popular choice. It wasn’t until farmers and distillers flocked to Kentucky to avoid whiskey taxes in the 1790s that whiskey — and more specifically bourbon — became the standard.
The mint julep made the transition from medicinal to recreational over the course of many years, but several prominent Black bartenders in the early 19th century helped cement its status. John Dabney, an enslaved man, was a bartender in Richmond, VA who popularized the “Julep a la Dabney,” served in a large bucket with a pile of fresh fruit. Once he bought his freedom, he opened his own restaurant, where he would continue serving juleps.
Derby time
The marriage of the Kentucky Derby and the mint julep is largely one of convenience — bourbon is as central to Kentucky’s identity as horse racing. But what about those glasses?
The famous commemorative mint julep glasses were originally water glasses from the Churchill Downs dining room. They were so popular during the 1938 Derby that they “went missing” at an alarming rate. The track began selling them as souvenirs — and the mint julep became the official cocktail of the Derby just one year later.
