Mint Julep

The Mint Julep is an iconic whiskey cocktail perfect for those hot summer days and watching the horse races (if you’re into that sort of thing).  This concoction of muddled mint, sugar, and bourbon is refreshing and deceptively simple to throw together.  Although this drink is traditionally made with just granulated sugar, I find using both a sugar cube and simple syrup aids the muddling process of the mint leaves.  However, the most intriguing aspect of this libation is arguably the silver cup it is served in.  When filled with crushed ice, the silver cup develops a layer of frost on the outside making it the ideal vessel for those aforementioned hot days.  To make your own crushed ice, place ice cubes in either a lewis bag or dish towel and break them up with a mallet until they are at the desired size; use this to create a small mound of ice peaking over the top of the cup.  Finally, what kind of Mint Julep wouldn’t be complete with a bouquet of mint to garnish?  Besides the fact it is in the name, the mint provides an aromatic quality imperative to the overall experience and giving the cocktail a pop of color.  But don’t take my word for it, make one and try it yourself!

Mint Julep

In your silver cup, muddle the mint leaves, sugar cube, and simple syrup and combine with bourbon whiskey.

• 8 Mint Leaves

• 1 tsp of Sugar / Sugar Cube

• 1 tsp of Simple Syrup

• 2.5 oz of Bourbon Whiskey

Fill halfway with crushed ice.  Stir and finish topping with ice until a small mound has formed on top.  Garnish with a bouquet of mint.