Cocktail of the Month: Mint Julep

There may be other songs named after cocktails, but surely the ’50s hit “One Mint Julep” is the only one that blames its namesake drink for a shotgun wedding and six subsequent offspring. Some may see this as a dire warning – others will understand the irresistible allure it implies.

As far back as the early 19th century, the mint julep was described as “a dram of spirituous liquor that has mint steeped in it, taken by Virginians of a morning.” Anything suitable for morning drinking with a Southern belle has our vote, especially as it is so simple.

The easy recipe of bourbon, mint and sugar (or syrup) has not stopped the more drink-literate from arguing over the best time to add the mint: Should it be infused in the syrup, muddled in with the sugar or present as a mere decorative sprig? We don’t know but we’d be willing to try all three. As the song says, “One mint julep was the cause of it all.”

WHERE TO GET IT
Apothecary (RMB 65) and Centro (RMB 70)

Click here to see the September issue of the Beijinger in full.

Photo: Judy Zhou