Message 14770 of 22774 in Behind the Bar

Share on Facebook |  Save to del.icio.us

Thanks Myers- thats alot of typing, good work Sir. Though you missed out my 
favourite bit where he quotes Judge J Soule Smith who may just be the only 
drinks writer to be more eloquent than Mr Cobb so:
"Then comes the zenith of man's pleasure. Then comes the julep - the mint 
julep. Who has not tasted one has lived in vain. The honey of Hymettus brought 
no such solace to the soul; the nectar of the Gods is tame beside it. It is 
the very dream of drinks, the vision of sweet quaffings. The Bourbon and the 
mint are lovers. In the same land they live, on the same food they are 
fostered. The mint dips infant leaf into the same stream that makes The 
Bourbon what it is. The corn grows in the level lands through which small 
streams meander. By the brook-side the mint grows. As the little wavelets 
pass, they glide up to kiss the feet of the growing mint, and the mint bends 
to salute them. Gracious and kind it is, living only for the sake of others. 
Like a womans heart it gives its sweetest aroma when bruised. Among the firts 
to greet the spring, ity comes. Beside gurgling brooks that make music in the 
fields, it lives and thrives. When the bluegrass begins to shoot its gentle 
sprays towards the sun, mint comes, and its sweetest soul drinks at the 
crystal brook. It is virgin then. But soon it must be married to old Bourbon. 
His great heart, his warmth of temperament, and that affinity which no one 
understands, demands the wedding. How shall it be? Take from the cold spring 
some water, pure as angels are; mix it with sugar till it seems like oil. Then 
take a glass and crush your mint within it with a spoon - crush it around the 
borders of the glass and leave no place untouched. then throw the mint away - 
it is the sacrifice. fill with cracked ice the glass; pour in the quantity of 
Bourbon which you want. It trickles slowly through the ice. Let it have time 
to cool, then pour your sugared water over it. No spoon is needed; no stirring 
allowed- just let it stand a moment. then around the brim place sprigs of 
mint, so that the one who drinks may find the taste and odor at one draft.
"Then when it is made, sip it slowly. august suns are shining, the breath of 
the south wind is upon you. It is fragrant cold and sweet - it is seductive. 
No maidens kiss is tenderer or more refreshing, no maidens touch could be more 
passionate. sip it and dream-it is a dream itself. No other land can give you 
so much sweet solace for your cares; no other liquor soothes you in melancholy 
days. sip it and say there is no solace for the soul, no tonic for the body 
like old Bourbon whiskey."
Makes you wish you were in the land of cotton ey?
Cheers- Jake...........
-- 
I'd rather have a full bottle in front of me, than a full frontal lobotomy....