Julep.
May 3, 2008
It’s Kentucky Derby day, and time for a delicious mint julep.
So, what exactly is a julep? And, why do we drink them on this particular day? The origin of the word julep is the Persian word julâb, which means “rosewater.” In 15th-century England, the word “julep” was used to describe a sugar syrup mixed with brandy (and later bourbon), that was then mixed with medication. It was originally developed as a protective against malaria (Old White Springs, Virginia, 1809).
I’m guessing it became the official drink of the Derby because the main ingredient, bourbon, is a Kentucky specialty. Or, maybe it’s because horse poop attracts a lot of mosquitoes, and infected mosquitoes carry malaria! And, all this time I thought those big hats were for show…when in actuality, they’re really just elaborate mosquito nets! And, no wonder those jockeys are so short…they’re totally hanging out under the mosquito radar. Nicely done gentlemen, nicely done.
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