Pluck the mint gently from its bed, just as the dew of the evening is about to form on it. Select the choicer sprigs only, but do not rinse them. Prepare the simple syrup and measure out a half-tumbler of whiskey. Pour the whiskey into a well-frosted silver cup, throw the other ingredients away, and drink the whiskey.

Mint julep recipe attributed to Henry Watterson (1840-1921), Pulitzer Prize-winning editor of The Louisville Courier-Journal. Many juleps will be consumed at Churchill Downs today and tomorrow, the 138th runnings of the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby.