Culture of the Southern United States celebrations. Hurricanes are a famous French Quarter drink, as are sazerac cocktails and absinthe. The upper South, specifically Kentucky, is known for its production of bourbon whiskey, which is a popular base for cocktails. As of 2005, Kentucky was credited with producing 95% of the world's bourbon, which has been referred to as America's only native spirit. The mint julep is traditionally depicted as a popular beverage among more affluent Southerners. Many other bourbons are produced in Kentucky including Evan Williams, Wild Turkey and Bulleit.Southern Comfort is a flavored distilled spirit modeled after bourbon and made in Louisiana. Another form
Mint julep of spirituous liquor that has mint steeped in it, taken by Virginians of a morning." Davis’ interviewee mentions his love for whiskey came from his daily preparation of the drink Americans enjoyed not only bourbon-based juleps during the nineteenth century, but also gin-based juleps made with genever, an aged gin. British Captain Frederick Marryat's 1840 book "Second Series of A Diary in America" describes on page 41 the "real mint julep" thus: The 1862 edition of "Bar-Tenders Guide: How to Mix Drinks or The Bon-Vivant's Companion" by Jerry Thomas includes five recipes for the mint julep (as well as an