On what day is National Mint Julep Day celebrated? May 30th
What is National Mint Julep Day? This day toasts the iconic southern hospitality cocktail. The Mint Julep was created back in the 18th century and consists of just four ingredients; bourbon, water, sugar and mint. It also is the drink of choice each year at the Kentucky Derby.
Here are a few fun facts about the Mint Julep:
- The drink was first mentioned in a London publication in 1803.
- U.S. Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky introduced the drink at the Willard Hotel in Washington D.C. in 1850. They still use his recipe to this day.
- An estimated 120,000 mint juleps are sold at the Kentucky Derby each year.
- Theodore Roosevelt used mint juleps to entice his cabinet members in a game of tennis. Though Roosevelt’s cabinet is affectionately referred to as “the tennis cabinet”, some referred to it as “the Mint Julep cabinet” as well.
- The largest mint julep glass ever created was 6 feet tall!
Who founded this day? The creator of this day is unknown.
What is the hashtag? Use the hashtag #MintJulepDay when sharing on social media.
How to celebrate: There’s only one way to celebrate. Grab your favorite drinking glass and follow this tasty recipe (provided by Alton Brown):
Ingredients:
- 10 mint leaves
- 1 ½ teaspoons of superfine sugar
- Seltzer water
- Ice
- 2 ½ ounces of bourbon
Directions:
- Place mint leaves and sugar at the bottom of a glass.
- Muddle until leaves break down.
- Add seltzer water and fill glass ¾ gull with ice.
- Add bourbon and top with another splash of seltzer.
- Stir and enjoy.
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