The Kentucky Mint Julep

by Joe Nickell

The ultimate guide to the quintessential Derby drink! A simple concoction―bourbon, mint, sugar, and water―the mint julep is legendary. Few people know its history and even fewer know how to properly mix this classic cocktail. Lighthearted, entertaining, and informative, The Kentucky Mint Julep explores the lore and legend of the Kentucky Derby's traditional tipple. Joe Nickell looks at the origins of the julep, offers a brief history of American whiskey and Kentucky bourbon, and shares some classic julep tales. Information on julep cups, tips on garnishing and serving, and reminiscences from the likes of Charles Dickens, Washington Irving, and General John Hunt Morgan give a fun, historic look at Kentucky's favorite drink. The book includes numerous recipes―for classic juleps, modern variations, non-alcoholic versions, and the author's own thoroughly researched "perfect" mint julep. This delightful book is illustrated with historic photographs, a map of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, and more.

96 pages, Hardcover

First published April 11, 2003

About the author

Joe Nickell was an American skeptic and investigator of the paranormal.
Nickell was a senior research fellow for the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and wrote regularly for their journal, Skeptical Inquirer. He was also an associate dean of the Center for Inquiry Institute. He was the author or editor of over 30 books.
Among his career highlights, Nickell helped expose the James Maybrick "Jack the Ripper Diary" as a hoax. In 2002, Nickell was one of a number of experts asked by scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. to evaluate the authenticity of the manuscript of Hannah Crafts' The Bondwoman's Narrative (1853–1860), possibly the first novel by an African-American woman. At the request of document dealer and historian Seth Keller, Nickell analyzed documentation in the dispute over the authorship of "The Night Before Christmas", ultimately supporting the Clement Clarke Moore claim.

Reviews

[M0rfeus · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I learned: "A man who would let the crushed leaves and the mangled stemlets steep in the finished decoction would put scorpions in a baby's bed."

[Robert Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This author is best known for his work in scientific skepticism. He’s written about things like paranormal investigation, religious relics, that sort of thing. And in fact that’s how I first came across his work. As a horror fan, I love things like ghost stories, but as a science nerd, I also like skeptical investigations into them, and his work is perfect for someone like me. But this one is something entirely different. It’s a short little book dedicated entirely to one of my favorite beverages. That sort of eclectic output is another reason I find the author’s work so delightful.

Though short, the book has enough time to devote about half of its length to a history of mint juleps and the other half to various recipes for making your own. Though I have my own recipe (which of course I insist is the only truly valid and correct one), it was a lot of fun to see the various different twists and variations others have put on the mint julep over the years. But the best part for me, rather than the recipes, was the short history of the drink. I knew some of the story in broad strokes, but I actually learned a surprising amount for such a brief writing.

At the end of the day, it’s not the kind of book that’s ever going to be anyone’s favorite, but it’s entirely charming and deserves a place of honor in any library’s section on beverage-making.