[Lee Stewart]

Although the mint julep can be enjoyed year-round, most people go out of their way to have one during the Kentucky Derby. The first one appeared during the 1700s, and it likely evolved from a Middle Eastern drink called the julab, made with water and rose petals. After making its way to the Mediterranean, rose petals were replaced with mint, which grew locally. U.S. Senator Henry Clay is credited with bringing the boozy version to Washington, D.C,. at the Round Robin Bar in the Willard Hotel (one of America’s most historic hotels) around 1850. Though there have been many varieties to date, a true mint julep calls for just four ingredients: mint, bourbon, simple syrup and crushed ice.