More than a cocktail, the julep is a tradition. During Kentucky Derby weekend, about 120,000 juleps are consumed at Churchill Downs racetrack, the drink having become the official beverage of the famous horse race in 1938. Of course, juleps are equally refreshing the other 51 weekends of the year, not to mention during the week too. Below are two takes on the drink, one classic mint and the other infused with strawberry.
Southern-Style Mint Julep
Serves 12
Note: Syrup can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 bunch fresh mint
- 1 bottle best-quality Kentucky bourbon, such as Maker’s Mark or Woodford Reserve
- crushed ice
1. Bring sugar and water to a boil, stirring to help dissolve the sugar granules. Once the sugar is completely dissolved, remove from heat and set aside.
2. Wash mint and remove leaves from stems, reserving a handful of sprigs for garnish. Coarsely chop mint leaves and add to warm syrup. Let steep until syrup has cooled to room temperature (at least 2 hours). Strain through a fine mesh strainer.
3. Add 2 tablespoons of syrup and 2 ounces (or jiggers) of bourbon to a julep cup. Fill with crushed ice and and stir until the outside of glass becomes frosty. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig.
Strawberry Mint Julep
Serves 1
Ingredients:
- 1 bunch fresh mint
- 1/2 tablespoon of honey
- 1/2 tablespoon of hot water
- 2 1/2 ounces of strawberry bourbon (see recipe below)
- crushed ice
- fresh strawberries for garnish
1. Wash mint and remove leaves from stems, reserving a handful of sprigs for garnish. Add 10 mint leaves, honey, and hot water to a julep cup. Muddle well with a cocktail muddler or the end of a wooden spoon.
2. Add strawberry bourbon to the mint mixture. Fill the cup with crushed ice and stir until the outside of the cup becomes frosty. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and a slit strawberry.
Note: The longer you allow the strawberries to steep, the more beautifully pink your bourbon will become.
Strawberry Bourbon
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of organic strawberries
- 1 bottle best-quality bourbon, such as Bulleit
1. Wash, cut, and hull the strawberries. Add berries to an 18- or 24-ounce canning jar or carafe, filling until it’s 3/4 full.
2. Pour bourbon over berries to fill jar; cover and store in a cool, dark place for 3-10 days.
3. Strain bourbon through a fine-mesh strainer, reserving strawberries for another use. The infused bourbon will last about one month.
Tip: Use the preserved strawberries as a boozy topping for ice cream sundaes or Greek yogurt.
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