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
One Mint Julep away from the sentimental lyrics of the romantic doo-wop group songs and adapting a cooler group style, emphasizing rhythm more, nearing the style of a jump blues combo. Toombs had been hired by the Atlantic Records label to write and compose humorous up-tempo rhythm and blues novelty songs. Atlantic wanted material that was true to life, but also funny. The humor in this song comes in part from the idea of a young black man getting drunk on mint juleps, traditionally thought of as an aristocratic southern white woman's drink. The Atlantic B-side was "Middle of the Night" by "Nugetre",