Mint Julep - Jeffrey Morgenthaler strikes again

Yes - there is another awesome video of Jeffrey Morgenthaler out, with his thoughts about the classic Mint Julep.

I think the video is not as timeless as his first one about the daiquiri - but anyway - it rocks.

But there is also some more to say about your humble julep...

The first you can find is, that julep comes from the Arabic jallab - as they had a drink, made out of grape molasses and dates flavored with flower water [and all]. I think this reference is rather unimportant - you won't always refer to Karl Benz and his first car, if you are talking about a modern automobile, will you?

But it is rather essential to understand, that this drink is already quite some time around. It predates the cocktail [1806] easily for at least half a century - maybe even longer.

The notion to say, that it is a predecessor of an Old Fashioned cocktail I really cannot share. You have to understand: most cocktails were very similar - smashes, juleps, slings, sours - often only one ingredient [sometimes only the proportions and/or the method of preparation] set them apart of each other. But definitely Jeffrey is right, when he says that it is not at all a bourbon mojito - it simply isn't.

One very interesting tid-bit: while most historic whisky drinks are originally made with Rye whiskey, the Mint Julep is a Bourbon drink. This gives you an indication of its origin - yeah the good ol' Mid West.

The taste? Like a slightly minty sweetened Bourbon. Delicious, simple, boozy, good.

Enjoy Jeffrey's video:

Comments

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