For those familiar with the Kentucky Derby, you might also know that the Mint Julep is the traditional cocktail of this horse-racing event which serves up more than 100,000 Mint Julep’s over the two-day event; Oaks and Derby day.
Dating back to this 19th-century classic and served up in a handle held pewter cup, this silver wear was the ideal utensil in keeping the beverage cool while savouring before melting point.
With minimal prep required for this old school thirst quencher, your finely crushed ice will be key in filling your goblet to the rim for maximum enjoyment.
Ingredients:
7-8 mint sprigs.
2 sugar cubes.
74ml Bourbon Whiskey.
Crushed ice – lots of it.
Method:
Pluck off mint leaves off 4-5 mint sprigs and place into your very dapper julep cup. If raiding your grandfather’s crockery collection in search on an heirloom such as a silver cup isn’t an option, an old fashioned or tall glass will be just as presentable.
Add 2 sugar cubs and begin to muddle.
Try not to garnish your pearly whites with mint by over muddling and tearing your mint leaves to shreds. Push down and circle the mint and sugar together rather than whisking away.
Once dissolved and the aromatic oils from the mint are released, add 74mls of your finest Bourbon Whiskey along with crushed ice filled to the glass rim and stir well till your glass is nicely cool and frosty.
To crush your ice, release a little of those stress levels and wrap several ice cubs in a tee towel and pound away till finely crushed.
Go a little more premium for you bourbon choice on this drink. Being the only spirit used, you want to hit all the right notes. For around $60 – $70 per bottle you could try Woodford Bourbon Reserve. It has picked up a medal or two at the tasting comps along with being the official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby.
Finish with remaining mint sprigs to garnish and enjoy!
Cheers!
Stay dapper gents.
Robbie – Dapper Lounge
BEHIND THE BEVERAGE
Prized horse racing for this southern corner of the U.S began back in 1789 with the opening of the first racetrack in Lexington. But it wasn’t until the Churchill Downs racetrack was opened by 1875 in Louisville, Kentucky, that helped to establish this racing institute as the “Home of the Kentucky Derby”. From here history began for the longest continually running sporting event in America.
To the drink that is so closely associated with this event, “Julep” is generally defined as a sweet flavoured drink. Being the Kentucky Derby’s tipple for almost a century, if we wind back the clock even further, Mr John Davis was reportedly one of the first, and a Brits at that, to document and mention the Mint Julep back in 1803. While in northern Virginia, his book ‘Travels of Four Years and a Half in the United States of America’, denotes ingredients used in the making of a Mint Julep as “a dram of spirituous liquor that has mint steeped in it, taken by Virginians of a morning.”
Trotting ahead to some of today’s history, a Mint Julep could set you back a cool $2500 at Derby day. Churchill Downs serves it up using Woodford Reserve Bourbon, mint imported from Ireland, ice from Bavarian Alps and sugar from down-under (Australia). Served in a pewter cup, this version will set you back $1000, or for a little extra coin, sip on a sterling silver gold-plated cup designed by jeweller Tiffany and Co. Imbibe this premium cocktail for a smooth $2500. Thankfully proceeds from each of these sold do go to the charity of Wounded Warrior Equestrian Program.
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