The Kentucky Derby's signature cocktail was once made with brandy, not bourbon

Food & Drink · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: While the modern Mint Julep is synonymous with Kentucky Bourbon, its history is far more varied. From 18th-century rum infusions to 19th-century brandy classics, the recipe has undergone a massive transformation. Discover how a simple glass of sweetened spirits evolved into a legendary icon of the American South.

The origins of the Julep date back to the 1700s, when the drink was a simple, unpretentious mixture. Early records describe it as a tumbler of water and rum, heavily sweetened and accented with a single slip of mint. This primitive version lacked the complexity of the sophisticated cocktails that would emerge in the following century.

As cocktail culture matured in the 1800s, the recipe began to diversify significantly. During this era, brandy-based Mint Juleps were dominant in classic cocktail literature. In fact, Jerry Thomas’s 1887 'Bar-Tender's Guide' provides a detailed method for a brandy version. This recipe calls for one tablespoon of pulverized white sugar mixed with two and a half tablespoons of water, combined with one and a half wine-glass fulls of brandy. The technique involves pressing three or four sprigs of fresh mint into the sugar and water to extract the flavor before adding fine shaved ice and garnishing with berries, orange, and a dash of Jamaica rum.

The shift toward the whiskey-based version we recognize today was a later development. While other spirits like gin, cognac, and even champagne were used in various iterations, the whiskey-based Julep eventually became the official cocktail of the Kentucky Derby in the post-Prohibition era. This specific evolution eventually solidified into the Kentucky Bourbon Mint Julep that remains the standard today, though enthusiasts suggest that exploring the older brandy or gin variations can offer a superior tasting experience.

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