When you order a Mint Julep at Dabney & Co., you’re not just cooling down—you’re reaching back through time. From the gentle muddle of raw sugar cubes to the aroma of freshly crushed mint, every detail of our signature julep pays homage to a name we carry proudly: John Dabney.

Known for his legendary hospitality and impeccable cocktails, John Dabney’s story is one of resilience, mastery, and pride. And while the julep has long been a Southern icon, our version reflects not just tradition—but transformation. We trade bourbon for aged rum, stir in stories, and serve up something that’s more than a drink. It’s a conversation.

John Dabney: The Namesake Who Stirred the South

Born into slavery in early 19th-century Virginia, John Dabney worked his way into prominence through unmatched skill in the kitchen and behind the bar. His Mint Juleps, served at grand banquets and political functions, became the stuff of legend—lavishly garnished, artfully layered, and chilled in silver cups buried in crushed ice.

Despite the confines of slavery, Dabney’s name traveled—whispered with reverence in elite circles and remembered for generations after. His cocktails weren’t just drinks. They were performances. They were excellence under pressure, artistry against odds.

“Rum is the spirit of the diaspora—it carries the weight of history and the joy of resistance.”

At Dabney & Co., we honor his legacy not by copying his every move—but by carrying his spirit forward with purpose and pride.

Why We Use Rum: Reclaiming a Spirit of the Diaspora

Traditionally, the Mint Julep is made with bourbon. But here at Dabney & Co., we craft ours with aged rum—a choice rooted in cultural history and intentional storytelling.

Rum holds a complex place in American history. It was one of the first spirits produced in the New World, its rise fueled by the labor of enslaved Africans who worked the sugarcane plantations of the Caribbean and American South. While rum was traded and toasted by colonial elites, its very existence was built on the backs of those denied freedom.

Yet out of that painful history came a powerful culture—one that infused rum with celebration, resistance, and artistry. In Black communities throughout the Americas and the Caribbean, rum became more than a drink. It became a symbol of creativity, survival, and joy.

By choosing rum over bourbon, we’re choosing to honor those roots. It’s a way of reclaiming a narrative, amplifying the African American legacy within the spirits world—especially the untold stories of Black bartenders, like Dabney, who helped define what American hospitality looks and tastes like today.

How We Make It: A Tradition Reimagined

We start our Mint Julep with aged rum, selected for its notes of caramel, spice, and warm oak—a rich counterpart to the drink’s signature freshness. Instead of syrup, we stay true to old-school technique and muddle raw sugar cubes with a touch of water and freshly torn mint leaves.

This method is intentional: the slow dissolving of sugar adds depth and texture, while the hand-muddled mint awakens the senses. We top it all with a mountain of crushed ice and an aromatic bouquet of mint—just the way John Dabney might’ve done it, with a flourish and a nod to tradition.

And while we may not serve ours in ornate silver goblets (unless you ask nicely), every glass still carries a sense of occasion.

More Than a Drink—A Tribute in a Glass

At Dabney & Co., our julep isn’t just about refreshment. It’s about recognition. About holding space for the past while making room for connection in the present.

Whether you’re seated at the bar, surrounded by the low hum of soul music and the clink of glasses, or gathered with friends during a live jazz set, this cocktail invites you to pause—to savor, reflect, and raise your glass not just in celebration, but in gratitude.

Because when we sip our julep, we’re toasting to more than good taste.
We’re toasting to John Dabney, to Black excellence, and to the rich, rhythmic story of rum.