Traditional Southern Style Mint Julep
INGREDIENTS
- 4 oz Kentucky bourbon
- 1 tsp simple syrup
- Garnish: 4 to 6 mint sprigs
INSTRUCTIONS
Pour the liquid ingredients into a julep cup of collins glass filled with crushed ice. Stir well until the glass is frosty. Garnish with the mint sprigs, extending them above the rim, and serve with a straw
VARIATION: Add a splash of club soda or water.
VIDEO HOW-TO
NOTES
A Kentucky tradition that has been around since the late 1800s, the refreshing and quintessentially Southern frosted julep is traditionally enjoyed as a celebratory libation to usher in the spring on May Day and, more importantly, is the official signature drink at the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May. Traced back to the 15th century, Juleps were originally medicinal concoctions blending herbs, sugar, and water. They later evolved into drinks combining mint with brandy, peach brandy, or Cognac, until around 1875, when fine Kentucky bourbon became the spirit of choice.
Traditionally, the mint's only function was as an aromatic flourish at the edge of the drink, but inevitably, as variations ensued, controversy arose over the correct methodology, which Southerners still debate today. Some say that the key is in the placement of the mint, which should be extended above the rim to allow one to inhale the aroma while sipping the bourbon. Some, however, prefer to muddle the mint first to infuse the bourbon with its aromatic fragrance. Extreme mint aficionados will go so far as to infuse a bottle of bourbon with a few cups of mint leaves, a method that is quite efficient when one is hosting a crowd, as it can be refrigerated for up to a week.
In keeping with tradition, the julep is classically served in a silver julep cup, the perfect vessel to achieve that signature frost as the bourbon and crushed ice are stirred until the condensation turns icy. It is perfectly suitable to serve a julep in either a collins, highball, or old- fashioned glass, although the type of glassware is less important than the type of bourbon used-a premium bourbon such as Maker's Mark, Knob Creek, or Woodford Reserve is essential to a sublime julep.
