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JANE STERLING’S MINT JULEP

SEASON 3, EPISODE 3

“My Old Kentucky Home”

Roger Sterling’s hedonism and lack of self-awareness are in full flower at the Kentucky Derby–themed garden party he and his new young wife Jane throw at an elegant Long Island country club. Guests mingle under the party tent and sip mint juleps in silver cups, Southern-style. Made up in blackface, and backed by a jazz band clad in straw boaters and Roaring Twenties–style red-and-white striped jackets, he sings “My Old Kentucky Home” to Jane, the overt racism clearly lost on him and over Jane’s head. Later, Don and Betty Draper have to help Jane to her seat; she’s clearly had a few too many mint juleps.

This classic Southern cocktail evokes the gentility of the South and hot, humid summer days passed on the porch of an elegant plantation-style home. For Betty, mint juleps were also the perfect refreshment to serve to the adults who accompany their children to Sally’s sixth birthday party (season 1, episode 3; “Marriage of Figaro”).

The origins of the mint julep aren’t known, though legend has it that a Kentuckian boating on the Mississippi River stopped along the banks one day to pick fresh mint, which he then added to his bourbon and water mixture. An integral part of Kentucky culture, the mint julep is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby.

We offer two versions of the mint julep. The first is a contemporary julep courtesy of the ‘21’ Club in Manhattan that features a delicious mint-infused simple syrup. The second is a more classic rendition and comes from The Stork Club Bar Book by Lucius Beebe (1946). (For more on Lucius Beebe and the Stork Club see Stork Club Cocktail.) “This is the Stork julep,” wrote Beebe in his introduction to the recipe, “and it has stayed and strengthened many brave men and fair women, confirming them in the almost irrefutable belief that most of the good things of the world come in glass bottles and the very best of them say bourbon on the outside.”

Roger couldn’t have said it better himself.

‘21’ Club Mint Julep

COURTESY OF THE ‘21’ CLUB NEW YORK, NEW YORK

Fresh mint leaves

1⁄2 ounce fresh lemon juice

1 ounce Mint Simple Syrup (see recipe below)

2 ounces bourbon

  1. In a Collins glass, muddle mint leaves in fresh lemon juice and Mint Simple Syrup.  
  2. Fill glass with crushed ice and add bourbon. Stir. Garnish with a bruised mint leaf.

YIELD: 1 DRINK

MINT SIMPLE SYRUP

Bunch of fresh mint leaves

About 2 cups sugar

Boiling water

  1. Crush a goodly bunch of mint leaves in a quart container. Fill to halfway mark with sugar, then fill with boiling water. Stir well to dissolve sugar.
  2. Let mint steep while syrup cools. Strain. Let the syrup cool to room temperature and spoon it into a jar. Seal tight and store in refrigerator for up to three weeks.

Stork Club Mint Julep

ADAPTED FROM THE STORK CLUB BAR BOOK
BY LUCIUS BEEBE (RINEHART AND CO., 1946)

4 sprigs fresh mint, plus extra sprig for garnish

1 teaspoon sugar or simple syrup

2 ounces bourbon

Green cherry, if desired

  1. Mash mint leaves and sugar or simple syrup with muddler in a silver mug.
  2. Fill silver mug with shaved ice and add bourbon. Stir until the outside of the mug is frosted.
  3. Decorate with sprig of mint and serve with straws. Add green cherry, if desired.

YIELD: 1 DRINK