Mint Julep

by Jen

The Mint Julep is kind of like the Mojito of the southeastern United States. It’s a refreshing combination of mint, sugar, bourbon and water, perfect for sipping on hot days. The major difference between it and the Mojito is that it uses bourbon instead of rum.

The Mint Julep

• Leaves from 4 to 6 mint sprigs
• Granulated sugar to taste (really traditional recipes call for 2 sugar cubes; the more modern version is 1/2 oz simple syrup)
• 3 ounces bourbon
• mint sprig for garnish

Put the mint, sugar, and a little bit of crushed ice into a tall glass. Add the bourbon, then top it off with some more crushed shaved ice, and stir well until frost forms on the glass. Tip: you can also muddle the mint and sugar, then let it stand for a while to  release the mint flavor from the leaves.)

Barbecue

Being Southern, the Mint Julep is absolutely perfect paired with rich Southern foods, like barbecue and fried chicken. Rich, flavorful foods can stand up to the mint flavor without getting overwhelmed. Mint drinks also go well with smoky and spicy foods, and of course this drink is perfect all on its own or with a cigar.

Posted in Mint, Whiskey on April 6, 2009