Mint Julep
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Before the 1800s, there were Julep cocktails, but they were made with cognac and not mint! The addition of mint became popular in the early 1800s and Mint Juleps were more of a morning healthy drink to help you get the day started!  After the Civil War, American whiskeys became popular.  Before the 1900s, Mint Juleps were mostly consumed in fancy hotel bars in cities - like the St. Charles Hotel in New Orleans., not porches in the South.  
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Makes 2 mint julep cocktails.
Ingredients
crushed ice - very finely crushed is best
4 ounces bourbon or rum - even brandy will do in a pinch
2 teaspoons sugar dissolved in a very little water
16 fresh mint leaves and reserve sprigs for garnish
thin sliced lime for garnish (optional)
Steps
  1. Put 1 teaspoon of sugar and a little water in each cocktail glass.  Stir to dissolve.
  2. Add the mint leaves and taking the back of a spoon, stir and lightly bruise the sugar and mint leaves together - don't mash them, just press lightly.   
  3. Put in LOTS of finely crushed ice and pour 2 ounces of bourbon or rum into each glass.  Stir lightly.
  4. Garnish with mint and lime.
  5. Go sit on the porch and enjoy.
Picture
Makes 2.
Ingredients
crushed ice - very finely crushed is best
1 cup ginger ale
2 tsp sugar dissolved in a very little water
16 fresh mint leaves and reserve sprigs for garnish
​sliced lime for garnish (optional)
Steps
  1. Put 1 teaspoon of sugar and a little water in each cocktail glass.  Stir to d.issolve.
  2. Add the mint leaves and taking the back of a spoon, stir and lightly bruise the sugar and mint leaves together - don't mash them, just press lightly.   
  3. Put in LOTS of finely crushed ice and pour 4 ounces of ginger ale in each glass.  Stir lightly.
  4. Garnish with mint and lime.
  5. Go sit on the porch and enjoy.