The Real Roots of a Southern Staple

Before the Mint Julep became synonymous with genteel Southern sipping, it was a bold creation brought to life by one of the most brilliant minds behind the bar: John Dabney. Enslaved in 19th-century Virginia, Dabney was a culinary trailblazer who became famed for his lavish juleps, served in silver goblets and layered with intricate garnish and crushed ice artistry.

Dabney’s Mint Julep was more than a drink—it was a declaration of skill, style, and sophistication. His talent eventually allowed him to purchase his freedom and build a legacy that redefined what Black excellence looked like in hospitality. Presidents and politicians came to taste what he crafted; history came to remember what he stood for.

“He poured his freedom into every glass. Now we raise ours in his name.” — Dabney & Co.

Reclaiming the Julep with Caribbean Soul

At Dabney & Co., we carry forward John Dabney’s brilliance not just through technique, but through reinterpretation. Our Mint Julep isn’t a carbon copy of the past—it’s a reclamation and remix, lovingly crafted with premium rum that adds warmth, depth, and global resonance to a classic Southern form.

Why rum? Because rum tells a parallel story—of diaspora, survival, and celebration. Rooted in the Caribbean and forged through histories of labor and liberation, rum brings a soulful edge to the julep that speaks to both heritage and heat. It’s a spirit that honors the hands that harvested, stirred, and served long before they were ever celebrated.

Our house julep fuses fresh mint, handmade syrups, crushed ice, and top-shelf rum, all served with the kind of presentation John Dabney would’ve applauded—elevated, expressive, and rich with meaning.

Southern Hospitality, Redefined

Hospitality in the South has long been framed as polite, sweet, and simple. But at Dabney & Co., we offer hospitality with soul—layered, loud, and laced with love. It’s what happens when the playlist blends Mahalia Jackson with Marvin Gaye, when the cocktails speak volumes before you take the first sip, and when every detail is rooted in care and cultural truth.

We don’t shy away from the complexities of the Southern legacy—we dance with them, pour into them, and flavor them with fire. Our version of Southern hospitality is Black, bold, and beautiful, crafted through the lens of those who made the South what it truly is.

More Than a Drink—It’s a Tribute

When guests order a Mint Julep at Dabney & Co., they’re not just ordering a cocktail. They’re entering a conversation. About who made this drink what it is. About why we choose rum over bourbon. About the roots of taste and the power of storytelling.

This isn’t nostalgia—it’s narrative reclamation. It's a toast to John Dabney and every Black bartender whose craft shaped the bar before they ever got their due. And it's a celebration of how we continue to reclaim space, culture, and flavor—on our own terms.