Louisville Unearthed: The Mint Julep originally was a rum or brandy drink, from Virginia

The mint julep originally was made with rum or brandy, and wasn’t officially associated with the Kentucky Derby until 1938. (Photo by Brent Hofacker/Flickr)

No, we won’t have a Kentucky Derby tomorrow. No corny suits, no fascinators, no drunken idiots in the infield. Also, no rain, cool weather or mud, because the Derby weather gods apparently have a sense of humor.

But can bet your sweet syrup people will be drinking mint juleps tomorrow; they’ll just be doing at home. Why? Because, obviously, the mint julep is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, and we have to make it feel like Derby weekend somehow. Right?

As tradition has it, you go to the track, order a round of juleps, hand the cashier your life savings, and sip the minty-sweet bourbon beverage from an official souvenir Kentucky Derby glass. Does life get any better? Well, here’s the back story of the Mint Julep, starting with the fact that it wasn’t the official drink of the Derby until 1938.

The Kentucky Derby began in 1875, and in those days racing fans more than likely drank whiskey or beer, quite possibly Kentucky Common, Louisville’s signature beer that was consumed by most beer drinkers in the city.

But the mint julep, a notable southern drink, migrated west from Virginia, originally being a rum- or brandy-based beverage. It was first noted in literature in 1784 as part of a medical treatment.

Yes, legend has it that the original version of the julep was renowned for having medicinal qualities and even is believed to have been a preferred first-thing-in-the-morning quaffer of farmers before they embarked on a long day tilling the fields.

The mint julep was renowned in 1803 by a British writer who had traveled extensively in the relatively new United States of America, experiencing its culture. He described it as “a dram of spirituous liquor that has mint steeped in it, taken by Virginians of a morning." (Take THAT, coffee and orange juice.)

Naturally, once the cocktail made its way to Kentucky, the bourbon variant we celebrate today was an inevitable development. Let’s face it, the so-called Sport of Kings is traditionally a dignified affair (infield notwithstanding), and what’s more dignified that wearing suits, big hats and sipping cocktails from silver or pewter vessels, as they originally were served?

And so it is that over the course of Derby weekend, between the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs sells an estimated 120,000 mint juleps each year. Some especially fancy versions have been known to be priced as high as $2,000. Yikes.

Oh, and don’t forget to hold your julep properly, especially if you’re drinking it from silver or pewter. Mint juleps are made with crushed ice, and the idea is to hold it from the bottom or by the rim to allow a layer of frost to form on the outside of the cup, helping to keep your drink cool.

With the Kentucky Derby (hopefully) to be held Sept. 5 this year, the second time in the race’s history it has not been held on the first Saturday in May, don’t be surprised if the mint juleps sold at the track that weekend hits well above 120,000. Let’s face it, by then, they’ll be long overdue. And by then, we’ll all be especially thirsty for Derby.

Every Friday, Louisville Unearthed will bring you an unusual fact, historical nugget, place, person, etc., that you may not know about our city.

Keep your cup frosty. (Photo by Will Shenton/Wikimedia)