Mint Julep

Cousin To The Popular Mojito
The Famous Southern Cocktail Recipe

So what does a Pacific Northwest girl like me know about a Mint Julep? I confess I do not have many requests for this bourbon recipe at the restaurant in Washington State, but the bartenders and I know how to make a great one.

This particular beverage is a Southern (USA) tradition. When my husband and I traveled through the South we tried a couple of these drinks. I really like the drink and I did a little research and thinking (believe it or not) when we returned home.

I read that the Julep was probably created in the 18th century and that U.S. Senator Henry Clay probably introduced Washington D.C. and northern
states to the Mint Julep.

This drink also became the traditional or "official" drink of the Kentucky Derby. In fact, in May of 2006, Churchill Downs sponsored a fundraiser to support charitable causes dedicated to retired race horses. They served 50 Juleps in gold plated cups at a cost of $1000 each! Yep, they sold them all! I was amazed!

As I mentioned, after visiting the South and thinking about the Mint Julep, I decided to run a little promotional at the restaurant. I promoted a taste test: the Mojito (a popular rum based drink) against the Mint Julep. I anticipated the Mojito would be judged "better," simply because of it being an "in" drink. I was wrong.

The results of the taste test: 47 votes for the Mojito, 51 votes for the Julep!

Is this a landslide? Of course not, but I was a little surprised because of the current popular trend to drink rum-based beverages. It may be that the restaurant serves more Southern "transplants" than I originally thought or I had a few more Southern tourists in the restaurant than normal. :-)

Mint Julep Recipe
A Famous Restaurant Recipe
Preparation time: 10 minutes, but it must stand several hours or overnight. (Yes, you must plan ahead). Serves 10. (I wrote this restaurant recipe for 10 because I believe if you're going to go to the time and effort to make this restaurant drink recipe, you need to invite some guests over. It's party time!)

Measurement Conversion Table

Ingredients:

2-1/2 cups bourbon (use Kentucky bourbon out of "respect")

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup sugar

2 large fresh spearmint sprigs (about 3 inches long)

Ice cubes

Small fresh mint sprigs

Instructions:

Bring water and sugar to a boil in a medium sauce pan

Reduce heat and simmer until sugar has dissolved

Squeeze large mint sprigs with your fingers to release the oils and place in the saucepan