A member of the classic Julep family, the Marble and Lace combines Irish whiskey and dry apple cider with aromatic mint to make a flavoursome, refreshing summer sipper. Like so many cocktails, the exact origins of the Marble and Lace are unknown. However, its Julep foundation – mint, lime juice, sugar and whiskey – makes this fruity libation an Irish cousin to one of the most famous American cocktails: the Mint Julep.
While the Julep category of cocktail has been traced back as far as the ancient world, the Mint Julep is one of the most popular. Traditionally bourbon based, this drink is closely identified with America’s Deep South and has become inextricably linked to the Kentucky Derby, a horse race held annually on the first Sunday in May in Louisville, Kentucky. Considered the unofficial drink of the South, the Mint Julep became the Derby’s official beverage in 1938. Today, it remains as popular as ever ‒ it is estimated that over the course of the Derby weekend approximately 120,000 Juleps are sold.
The inspiration behind the Marble and Lace, specifically the substitution for Irish whiskey and the addition of dry cider remains a mystery. But we think this adaptation is genius and makes for a delightfully fruity, thirst-quenching cocktail. Here’s cheers to that!
