![]() Trim with mint and hand to an appreciative gentleman. Fill it with ice pulverized to the fineness of snow.” Once the drink is mixed, “shake the cup slowly until a coating of a thick white frost forms on the outside. “Take a silver cup – always a silver cup. In a 1908 edition of Fuel Magazine, a Lexington, Kentucky, native named Samuel Judson Roberts explained the importance of the cup. ![]() The bourbon-spiked Kentucky Derby mint julep tastes nothing like the Persian rose-water drink, but the name is from Persia." And from French it entered English in the 15th century. and from there entered a number of European languages (Latin, Provençal, Spanish, Portuguese, and French) with the 'b' softened into a 'p' (e.g., julapium in Latin). In fact, the derby-themed elixir of frost and America’s oldest spirit can be attributed to ancient Persia.Īs Arthur Dudney, a researcher in Asian and Middle Eastern studies at Cambridge University notes, "Julep is a classic example," and further explains "It started as Persiangul-āb (rose water), then entered Arabic asjulāb. In reality, the drink traces it’s roots much further. This famous drink has been an iconic Derby symbol and all-around southern tradition since the early 19th century. Fill cup half-full with crushed ice, stir to combine, and chill. Each Oaks Day and Derby Day patrons will imbibe over 150,000 mint juleps, which will require about 12,000 bottles of bourbon, around 1,000 pounds of fresh mint and 70,000 pounds of crushed ice. Place 8 mint sprigs in the bottom of the julep cup, and add the liquids. ![]() Tip: A slightly higher-proof bourbon will keep the crushed ice from diluting the cocktail too quickly.First, a little story.The mint julep is synonymous with the Kentucky Derby. Made from a mash of at least 51% corn grain, and aged for two years in charred oak barrels, this kind of bourbon is smooth, sweet, and a popular ingredient for Mint Julep cocktails. If you want to go really traditional and play into the Kentucky Derby legacy of the cocktail, we’d recommend choosing a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. As such, you want to go for a bourbon that you would be happy to sip neat. Since the spirit is the only liquid that goes into the drink, it plays a big role in the ultimate flavor profile. What is the best bourbon for a Mint Julep?Ī good rule of thumb is to use the best bourbon you can find. Originally used by banks to transport coins, clever 19th-century bartenders started using it to make crushed ice, taking full advantage of the canvas sack’s durability and ability to absorb excess water. Tip: If you want to make crushed ice at home, we recommend investing in something called a Lewis Bag. Remove from the heat and add the mint sprigs. This will ensure that the aromatic oils from the mint is released without adding any lingering bitter notes to your drink. Make the mint syrup: Bring the sugar and 1 cup water to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. When you muddle your mint leaves and simple syrup together, go slowly and gently to ensure that the leaves are not roughly torn in the process. The tools you’ll need to muddle mint for a Mint Julep include your glass of choice (either a Julep cup or a rocks glass), and a wooden cocktail muddler, or an unfinished wooden spoon. Muddling mint leaves is not hard at all, but it does call for a light touch. While you can happily serve it in a rocks glass without raising any eyebrows, a classic Mint Julep is traditionally served in a silver or pewter Julep cup that is held by the handle or rim so the cup maintains optimum frost. Muddle these together until the leaves begin to break down. It’s also worth noting (and an interesting fact to share with friends over drinks) that the julep itself is actually a category of drinks that refers to cocktails featuring a spirit served over crushed ice. Place the mint leaves in the bottom of an old-fashioned glass and top with the sugar. In the real world, it’s perhaps best known as the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, where the cooling cocktail is sipped along the racetrack as thoroughbreds compete for the winning title. Set out a bowl of crushed ice, glasses or julep cups, powdered sugar and mint sprigs, and let people serve themselves. In a large pitcher, pour 2 ounces of bourbon and 0.75 ounces of mint syrup for each cocktail. One of the Mint Julep’s major claims to fame is its starring role in The Great Gatsby in the hand of the novel’s hapless heroine Daisy, who named it her summertime cocktail of choice. The next day, strain out the mint and start making your cocktail, he said.
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