Freshly back from celebrating my husbands’ grandfather’s 95th birthday in sunny Florida, we’ve got to efficiently prepare for a big afternoon/evening. The Kentucky Derby {one day my schedule will allow for a full day of fun and fashionable prepiness} and a big hockey game…{Blackhawks vs. Canucks – less thrilled, but I’m a good sport…}
In order to simultaneously unpack and freshen up for the evening, cocktails seemed appropriate {if not necessary?} – and what better way to celebrate the day than with a fresh Mint Julep? {Mint taken from my moms’ thriving herb garden only hours ago inspired it all!}
I just finished the batch {pictured above}; the simple recipe taken from Epicurious :
3/4 cup sugar
2 cups chopped fresh mint, plus additional whole sprigs for garnish
crushed ice
1 1/2 ounces good bourbon
…..
In a saucepan combine the sugar and 3/4 cup water and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
Remove the pan from the heat, stir in the chopped mint, and let the mixture stand for a bit.
Strain the syrup through a fine sieve into a small bowl, pressing hard on the solids, discard the solids, and let the syrup cool.
For each julep fill a silver julep cup or 10-ounce glass with some of the ice, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of the mint syrup, or to taste, and 1 1/2 ounces bourbon, and stir the julep. (A frost will form on the outside of a silver cup.)
Garnish each julep with 1 of the additional mint sprigs.
Finish with a trimmed-down straw in order to enjoy fragrant sips.
Finish with a trimmed-down straw in order to enjoy fragrant sips.