It was an important step in the history of Ahmet Ertegun and Atlantic Records in its quest to become a hot rhythm and blues label.
[4] Toombs had been hired by the Atlantic Records label to write and compose humorous up-tempo rhythm and blues novelty songs.
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 story line is a classic one of a man who falls for the charms of a young woman only to realize a few years later that he has a ring on his finger.
"[5][1] "One Mint Julep" was the first of several successful up-tempo drinking songs by Toombs, who went on to write and compose "One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer" for Amos Milburn, "Fat Back and Corn Likker" for Louis Jordan, and "Nip Sip" for the Clovers.