MINT JULEP
4 fresh mint sprigs2 ½ ounces bourbon whiskey
1 tsp. powdered sugar or simple syrup
2 tsp. water
There are all kinds of ways to make a MINT JULEP cocktail, just as
there are all kinds of ways to celebrate the Kentucky Derby, the high-stakes
race for three-year old Thoroughbreds that turns Louisville, Kentucky into one
big party. You can spend anywhere from $5,000 to $50 for a ticket to the real
deal at Churchill Downs or you could go to a local bar that’s hosting a Derby
Party. Guess where I went?
Yep, I spent the sunny first Saturday in May not at Churchill
Downs, but at Bistro 70 in Painesville, Ohio, where they make a killer MINT
JULEP for $7, not $11 like the Derby infield. It was the classic MINT JULEP
recipe that starts by muddling mint leaves,
powdered sugar or simple syrup, and a little bit of water in a collins glass. A
wooden muddler works best. You then fill the glass with shaved or crushed ice
and add bourbon — the higher priced the better. Top the MINT JUELP with more ice
and garnish with a mint sprig. To really be authentic, use a silver julep cup and
drink it at Churchill Downs.
The MINT JULEP is a
bit of an acquired taste, but once you acquire it, you’ll never lose your love
for it. I found the cocktail surprisingly refreshing. It fancies bourbon up and
makes it delicious. I really love the sweet and mint combo. If you haven’t
tried one it a while, give it a try It’s good for more than just Derby Day too.
A MINT JULEP also goes well with sultry afternoons, rocking chairs and front
porches. It will make you want to say “I’ll Have Another.”
Drink Up^
Cocktail Connie
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