The Kentucky Derby is one of the South’s most premier sporting events and though many will empty their pockets in hopes of picking the winner, there are only two guarantees you can truly bet on; Big hats and Mint Julep cocktails. From the outside looking in the focus is on the horses but when you’re in attendance everyone wants to know what your wearing and what you’re drinking.The Mint Julep is the traditional mainstay at the Kentucky Derby and to honor the event I’ll be sharing with you a few Julep recipes including the original, a few spins, and some of the other popular drinks so you can have the proper experience whether you’re there in person or enjoying the festivities on the big screen from the comfort of your own home.
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Classic Mint Julep
- 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) club soda
- 2 teaspoons superfine sugar
- 15 fresh mint leaves, plus 5 small sprigs for garnish
- 6 tablespoons (3 ounces) Makers Mark or other high-quality Bourbon
- 2 cups crushed ice
Stir together club soda and sugar until sugar dissolves. Add mint leaves and, using glass muddler, gently press leaves into sugar syrup until slightly darkened but not completely crushed. Add whiskey, then fill cup with crushed ice and stir briefly. Tuck mint sprigs into top of cup and insert straw.
Georgia Mint Julep
- Take 1 tea-spoonful of white powered sugar.
- 3/4 wine-glass of Cognac brandy.
- 3/4 wine glass of peach brandy.
- About 12 sprigs of the tender shoots of mint.
Put the mint in the tumbler, add the sugar, having previously dissolved it in a little water, then the brandy, and lastly, fill up the glass with shaved ice. Stir with a spoon but do not crush the mint. In it’s origina, the Southern Mint Julep used cognac instead of whiskey.
Old Fashioned
- 1 sugar cube
- 3 dashes Angostura bitters
- club soda
- 2 ounces Bourbon Whisky ( Or Rye if your one of THOSE people)
- Cherry and Orange Slice garnish (Optional)
Place the sugar cube in an Old-Fashioned glass. Wet it down with 2 or 3 dashes of Angostura bitters and a short splash of water or club soda. Crush the sugar with a wooden muddler or spoon. Rotate the glass so that the sugar grains and bitters give it a lining. Add a large ice cube. Pour in the rye (or bourbon). Serve
Agave Julep (For the Tequila Lovers)
- 8 mint leaves
- 1 tbls Simple Syrup (it’s very tart, so you may add more)
- 1 1/4 ounces Reposado Tequila
- 1 1/4 ounces fresh lime juice
- Dash of Agave
- Lime wedge, mint sprig for garnish
Muddle the mint leaves with the sugar syrup in a highball glass. Add the tequila and lime juice, fill the glass with crushed ice, and stir vigorously to mix. Decorate with a lime wedge and a mint sprig.
Pimms Cup (A British Spring/Summer Classic making waves during the Derby
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1 part Pimm’s No.1 Cup
2 or 3 Parts Lemonade (Depending on how sweet you want it)
Optional- Can replace 1/3rd Lemonade with 1/3rd Lemon Lime soda, Ginger Beer, or Ginger Ale
Add ingredients in shaker filled with ice (except soda). Shake and strain into a highball glass filled with cubed (not crushed) ice. Authentic Pimm’s will then have slices and peices of fruit thrown in and topped off with.
Hope you enjoyed the recipes and are ready for the race. Don’t forget to become a fan on Facebook. Class Dismissed.
