Drink this ...

... and you will never forget anything nor need to learn anything again. I mean Bourbon, of course.

There is an intriguing new book out on the subject called Bourbon: 50 Rousing Recipes for a Classic American Spirit. You can read more about it here.

All of which inspires me to post the one and only true and authentic Mint Julep recipe (which is just another way of saying, "it's my recipe").

Mint julep

Combine 2 teaspoons confectioner's sugar, 2 tablespoons Rose water and about six sprigs of mint in a julep cup. Muddle and allow to stand for a few minutes. Add 4 ounces, yes four ounces, of Bourbon. Stir well. Pack with crushed ice.

Important update: Crush your ice by hand, not in a blender. Put it in a plastic bag, wrap the bag in a bar towel, place it on the bar and whack it with a bar hammer. (You do have a bar hammer don't you?) The result should be about the size of rock salt. If you use the puréed ice you get by using the blender you will get an undrinkable mess called a Bourbon Slurpee which requires a straw and will qualify you for arrest as a sex offender as the only possible use of such a concoction is to get sixteen year old girls drunk in a hurry.

A few explanations.

1. "Jul" is the Arabic word for "rose". "Julep" (from julab) means rose water. If you make it with the finest spring water or, shudder, chlorinated tap water, it isn't a julep. And nine million supposedly "authentic" or "original" recipes to the contrary cannot change this undeniable fact.
2. Only that very unfortunate man who manages to be combine the worst vices of barbarians and effeminate wimps would drink anything at all out of Collins glass—and that goes triple for an actual Collins whether Tom, John or any of their misbegotten siblings.
3. Anyone who ever calls or even vaguely suggests that Jack Daniels is Bourbon will be castrated without anesthetic.
4. There is a song called One Mint Julep (was the start of it all). Heed the words: