The Mint Julep

Southern Delight Mint Julep
Jane Linton

The Mint Julep is a drink that requires special presentation....

This drink brings forth the ideal image of genteel gatherings sprinkled with that slow soothing southern drawl.. Just thinking about The Kentucky Derby makes one long for a sip from a silver julep cup. Easy to make, the Mint Julep will boost your host or hostess status in the eyes of your guests....

A Sign of Hospitality
Greek mythology tells of two weary travelers who could find neither help
nor hospitality on the road. Finally an old couple took them in, scoured a
modest dining board with mint to refresh it, and prepared for the
strangers a meal. The travelers turned out to be gods in disguise, who
rewarded the old folks by remodeling their little hut into a glorious temple.
Thereafter mint was considered a symbol of hospitality.

You will need:

2 cups granulated sugar
2 cups water (branch water is ideal)
Fresh Mint
Crushed Ice
Kentucky Bourbon (2 ounces per serving)

Make a simple mint syrup* by boiling sugar and water together for 5 minutes; cool. Place in a covered container with 6 or 8 bruised mint sprigs. Refrigerate overnight.
Make a julep by filling a julep cup* or glass with crushed ice, then adding 1 tablespoon of mint syrup and 2 ounces of bourbon. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost outside of cup or glass. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig..

*This makes enough syrup for about 44 juleps.

Extra Tips:

Always use a premium Kentucky bourbon

Use crushed or shaved ice and pack in cup.

To bruise mint, place in a cup and gently pass the back of a spoon between cup and the leaves a time or two. You want the mint to release some of the fragrant oils.

Add a straw cut to protrude just above the rim of the cup and serve. You should be able to get a faint whiff of the mint sprig when you're sipping.

Keep the covered syrup in the refrigerator (after removing the mint leaves) if you don't plan on drinking all the servings.. Enjoy later....

*Your proper julep cup looks like this:

Silverplate Mint Julep Cup from The Silver Store

Sterling Mint Julep cup from The Silver Store

Now, here's another little thing to do with mint and bourbon.. Mint Julep Tea is about as Southern as you can get. Serve this in a nice tall frosted glass with a sprig of mint on top and your guests will leave happy!
To make Southern Sweet Tea visit here.

Mint Julep Iced Tea

INGREDIENTS
8 mint leaves
1 lemon, sliced
1 lime, sliced
1 cup bourbon
3 cups cold sweetened tea
Cubed or crushed ice

INSTRUCTIONS
Combine first 3 ingredients in a 2-quart pitcher, pressing with spoon to crush mint.
Stir in bourbon and tea. Add ice. Makes 2 quarts.