Hey, chickens. Happy Wednesday. So the Derby is upon us- and the Kentucky
Derby is a full on gentlemanly affair. (And for the ladies, no better
opportunity for a fancy hat and pretty dress so we all win I suppose). It is
steeped in a stable's worth of tradition, romance, and intrigue. And it's
one hell of a party besides.
perfect bourbon and water. But maybe we should have him make us a mint julep
in honor of the Derby, and this my friends, is a true art. As I am a bit of
a stickler for authenticity, I went right the source, the official Kentucky
Derby website and found the real deal Holyfield recipe. This is it- note the
use of Early Times- it's an important step as is the silver cup (pictured): Early Times Mint Julep 2 cups sugar
2 cups water
Sprigs of fresh mint
Crushed ice
Early Times Kentucky Whisky
Silver Julep Cups
Make a simple syrup by boiling sugar and water together for five minutes.
Cool and place in a covered container with six or eight sprigs of fresh
mint, then refrigerate overnight. Make one julep at a time by filling a
julep cup with crushed ice, adding one tablespoon mint syrup and two ounces
of Early Times Kentucky Whisky. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the
outside of the cup. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint. I love how you start making this cocktail the night before, so plan
accordingly and maybe sleep in the night before, as tomorrow's juleps will
surely knock you on your derriere. And that's why I'm providing this today
so you can start preparing (you're welcome). And in case you were wondering
it's been said by some old Southern lieutenant type that the julep is "the
quintessence of gentlemanly beverages". (Said by one Lt. Gen. S.B. Buckner,
Jr., who most certainly opened the door for a lady or two in his time). As I
am dans l'amour with gentlemanly quintessence these days, I'll be toasting
you all this weekend with a few of these refreshing libations as the bugle
sounds the call to the post. And they're offfffff... Oh and if you're a bit of a cocktail history savant, check out the Derby
site for all the facts on all things julep. Love the letter from the Lt.
General on how to make a proper julep. GENIUS. http://www.kentuckyderby.info/mintjulep.php And that's what's up this horsey and now thirsty Thursday in April. XO