Mint Julep has been a very popular drink at 'Derby Festivals' since 1938, when Churchill made it famous by drinking it at the Kentucky Derby Festival. Although there are many variations, here is the recipe that seems to be the most popular.
For 10-12 servings
Ingrediants
- About 1 liter of bourbon
- 40 small mint leaves
- 220 ml of distilled water
- 100 gr of granulated sugar
- Powdered sugar for garnish
- Crushed ice
- Orange peel strips for serving, optional
Steps
Step 1. Make a mint extract
- Place 40 small mint leaves (washed) in a bowl.
- Pour 90ml bourbon over the leaves and let them soak for 15 minutes.
- Use a colander to separate the liquid from the leaves.
- Wrap the leaves in a paper towel and squeeze them over the bowl full of bourbon.
- Put the leaves back into the bourbon and repeat the same steps several times.
Step 2. Make a simple syrup
- Put 100 g of granulated sugar in 220 ml of distilled water in a saucepan.
- Heat the solution on the stove while stirring the sugar continuously until it is completely dissolved.
- Turn off the stove and leave the solution aside to cool.
Step 3. Mix the ingredients
- Pour the syrup into a large glass pitcher or bowl along with the remaining pure bourbon.
- Add a tablespoon of the mint extract you made earlier. Keep adding until you get the desired degree of minty flavor (3 tablespoons is usually enough).
- Pour the mixture into a bottle and refrigerate for 24 hours to make the flavors combine.
Step 4. Prepare and Serve
- Fill half the glass with crushed ice.
- Place a sprig of mint on one side of the glass and add more ice until it reaches 2.5cm from the edge.
- With scissors, cut a straw so that it protrudes from the edge of the glass for about 2.5 cm. Note: this trick improves the taste of the drink because it allows you to better savor the aroma of mint and bourbon.
- Pour the cold mixture over the ice after frost has formed on the glass.
- Sprinkle the drink with powdered sugar and serve immediately. Health!
Advice
- The origins of Mint Julep are unclear, but it is thought that it was introduced to the southern states of the USA by Captain Maryatt, a British naval captain who loved the drink so much that he called it "one of the most delicious and enveloping potions ever invented".
- If you use mint leaves to garnish, consider tearing them lightly before sprinkling them with icing sugar, so as to spread the aroma more.
Warnings
- Be careful when working in the kitchen. If you touch the stove or the hot saucepan, you could burn yourself.
- The consumption of alcohol is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, and it is illegal for minors (21 years in the United States, 18 in Italy, Canada, Australia and New Zealand).
- Drink responsibly. Don't drink if you have to drive or engage in dangerous activities, or you may regret it later.
