Have You Ever Tried A Mint Julep?

[keithpip]

I read somewhere that most southerners have never had a mint julep even though many would consider it a classic southern cocktail. So I thought I would put together my own unscientific poll on the subject. The only catch is that you have to be a southerner to participate. That means you must have been born south of the Mason-Dixon line. (Full disclosure: I can't vote in my own poll. I live in Alabama but I was born in New York).


FYI Update: According to Garden & Gun Magazine Feb./March 2012 the quintessential Southern cocktails are the Mint Julep (46%) followed by Boubon & Ginger (23%), Old Fashioned (16%), Sazerac (7%) and the Bloody Mary (8%). This was a Garden & Gun Facebook Poll.

Keith

 

[Class III]

Born in Alabama, and yes, I have had a few MJ's. I don't really care for them, they are too sweet for me. Besides, who would want to ruin good bourbon by putting anything in it, other than an ice cube.

Class III

 

[mike from st pete]

Cancel my vote, I'm not from here I just live here.
I am a southerner if one considers that parts of New Jersey are south of the Mason/Dixon line. I was born in Burlington Co. but grew up in counties south of that famous line.
And I had one, a Mint Julep just last night. A tasty refreshing adult beverage.

 

[WC145]

Born in Louisiana, my father's family is from Kentucky. Yes, I've drank mint juleps, many mint juleps. However, I prefer my bourbon straight, on the rocks. Refills are faster and require much less dexterity.

 

[Dennis The B]

I'm a native of Louisville. I've seen many a glass of good Bourbon wasted by putting mint and sugar water in it.

 

[dmar]

I've tried it a couple of times, not a fan...

 

[RightArm]

FYI a mojito is basically a mint julip with rum instead of bourbon. I also agree that a julip is a waste of perfectly good bourbon.

 

[mike from st pete]

So use cheap whiskey? Or cheap rum for a mojito?

 

[teesur]

All of the posters who say they have tried mint julips, but don't like them have never been to the restaurant bar in the Pontchartrain Hotel on St. Charles Ave. in New Orleans, Louisiana. If you ever get there, try it, you'll like it.
teesur.

 

[m1gunner]

First one (and 2nd, 3rd, ...) was at Churchill Downs at The Race in 1977.

Old GF broke my Glass, need to get another KD glass to match the ones from Baltimore, and NY. Not often you see a horse win all 3 races in the Triple Crown.

 

[Grayfox]

Born, raised and still live in Tennessee.
I've had a few Mint Juleps in my time. I never really cared for mint to start with. And then add sugar?
I completely agree, total waste of good bourbon.

 

[Onomea]

I was gonna withdraw my "never tried it" vote but looking up the Mason Dixon Line I learned that it is north of Washington, DC, my birthplace. So I am eligible.

I like gin tonics, but was pleasantly surprised by the taste of a mojito that I tried for the first time a few months ago. That is a pleasant drink, and the way I had it was not too sweet. I sometimes like Cuba Libres (rum and cokes) on airplanes....

I generally don't like my bourbon with anything but ice and maybe a little water.

I'd like to try a mint julip and sure will if I ever get to the Pontchatrain Hotel....

 

[COL Jagdog]

If properly made, mint juleps are actually very refreshing in the spring/summer -- we serve them in Jefferson cups, (round-bottomed
sterling silver cups specifically made for mint juleps) -- they do remind one of a mojito -- my wife, who works for the new casino being built here (Mojito Pointe) says the bars will specialize in both mojitos and mint juleps --- and if you use good rum or bourbon , respectively,
and the cocktail is well made, you can still savor the taste of the spirit used. Ponchatrain Hotel's juleps are legendary as are the juleps at Sid and Harry's in Oxford, Ms.

 

[Cyrano]

Cancel my vote too: I was born in Pennsylvania and grew up in Connecticut, although I've lived in far west Texas for over 30 years. I've never had a mint julep; ae they really that good?

 

[Marshwheeling]

My old man had a nice julep technique. Start with a pint Mason jar and some hard, cold ice cubes, like out of a -20° freezer, enough to fill the Mason jar to the top. Put some sugar and mint in the bottom of the jar and bruise the mint by shaking the ice in the jar. Now add about 8 oz. of bourbon and go lie in the hammock. Give instructions that you are not to be disturbed until dinner is ready.

Can't vote, but that's how we do it in Minnesota.

 

[relic]

'Scuse me. Voted before I read the rules. I've had'em, made'em, and love'em but I'm a Hoosier who visits KY.

 

[Smithhound]

I've had a couple and I didn't think much of them. As others have stated they are much too sweet and I prefer Bourbon straight up, when I drink it at all. When I do George Dickel gets my vote. Never did like Jack Daniels, has a 'bite' and unkind after taste.
RD
Tennessee

 

[zoom6zoom]

Nasty, and as noted a waste of good bourbon. You might as well chew some Doublemint while doing shots.

 

[fat tom]

I've had two. Didn't like the first one,but I've always believed in second chances. The second was years later and it was worse than the first.
f.t.

 

[NA225]

Mint Julep

I qualify(Mississippi) and the only time I ever had one was in Louisville, KY at Churchhill Downs. A little bit goes a long way but it was neat to give it a try.