Grab your bow ties and big hats, ladies and gents! This Saturday, May 3 is the 140th Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Ky. Whether or not you can make it to Churchill Downs for this year’s race, celebrating The Run for the Roses isn’t complete without an iconic Mint Julep cocktail.
Although its beginnings are unknown, the Mint Julep has been associated with the Kentucky Derby since 1938. More than 120,000 of the sweet cocktails are drank over the course of two days at the Derby each year.
The traditional drink is typically served in a decorative silver mint julep cup, a long straw and a sprig of mint leaves as a garnish. The best Mint Juleps are made to taste, filled to the brim and use the freshest ingredients.
Pros suggest pre-chilling your cups before filling with ice to keep the ice from melting too quickly while enjoying your julep, and hammering or crushing your ice into smaller chunks.
If you’re feeling festive and want to make your own Mint Julep while watching the race this Saturday, here is a classic recipe from the folks at Southern Living. Drink up!
Classic Mint Julep
Ingredients:
- 2.5 ounces bourbon (use Woodford Reserve if you want to be really authentic!)
- 25–30 mint leaves
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- ice cubes
- crushed ice
For the mint simple syrup:
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 large bunch mint leaves
1. First, you’ll make the simple syrup. Combine the water and sugar and bring to a boil. Stir until the sugar has completely dissolved. Place the bunch of mint leaves in an old mason jar (or other heatproof container) and pour the syrup over the leaves. Place the jar in the fridge and let the leaves steep in the syrup for at least one hour. Strain the leaves from the liquid and set the syrup aside.
2. Place your 25–30 mint leaves in a cocktail shaker and pour in the 2.5 ounces of bourbon as well as one ounce of your simple syrup. Top with a few ice cubes and stir. Fill your chilled silver cup with ice about halfway. Strain the liquid from the cocktail shaker into the cup. Pack crushed iced on top of the liquid to the top of the glass. Garnish the drink with a sprig of mint leaves and a straw.
