How to Make Mint Juleps for the Kentucky Derby
For the Kentucky Derby (or any time), there's no drink as quintessentially Southern and delicious as the mint julep. Picture yourself enjoying this drink in silver julep cups on a front porch rocking chair watching the lightning bugs dart across the lawn, waving at neighbors and savoring the evening. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- 2 bunches fresh mint
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 cups bourbon
- Powdered sugar
- Silver mint julep cups
Instructions
-
-
1
Boil 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water on the stove for a few minutes to create a simple syrup. Set aside to cool.
-
2
Set aside one sprig for each desired serving of the mint julep recipe. Soak the rest of the mint in a small amount of the bourbon. After about 15 minutes, crush the mint leaves in the bourbon.
-
-
3
In a separate container, mix the remaining bourbon and simple syrup until the syrup is completely dissolved.
-
4
Strain the mint/bourbon mixture, and discard crushed leaves and stems. Add the mint liquid to the simple syrup/bourbon mixture 1 tbsp. at a time -- taste after the first 2 tbsp. and adjust to taste.
-
5
Refrigerate the mint julep recipe for at least 24 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
-
6
The next day, fill your silver mint julep glasses with shaved ice -- pack it in as securely as possible. To speed up the cooling of the glasses, you can put them in the refrigerator for 15 minutes or so.
-
7
When frost has formed on the mint julep cups, pour the mint julep recipe over the ice. If you have any mint sprigs remaining, add one to each glass. This mint julep recipe makes approximately four to five servings.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
To buy your mint julep cups, you'll probably need to shop online--they're not as popular in stores as they used to be.
References
- Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
