Mint Julep by Rev. Carol A. Ingle (Raven)

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Mint Julep

Traditionally Mint Juleps are served in silver or pewter cups and held by the handle or rim in order for the cup to obtain optimum frost. As an alternative to muddling the mint and sugar cube you can also infuse a sugar syrup with mint. With this much bourbon in a drink, slow sipping is the appropriate way to imbibe.

Ingredients:

leaves from 4-5 mint sprigs
2 sugar cubes or 1/2 oz simple syrup
2 1/2 oz bourbon
mint sprig for garnish

Preparation:

Place the mint and simple syrup or sugar into a julep cup, collins glass or double old-fashioned glass.

Muddle well to dissolve the sugar and to release the oil and aroma of the mint.

Add the bourbon

Fill with crushed ice and stir well until the glass becomes frosty.

Garnish with the mint sprig.

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The 56 Julep

Ingredients:

2 1/2 oz. Wild Turkey 101 bourbon
3 sprigs of mint (six to eight mature-sized leaves)
1 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar
1/2 cup crushed ice

Preparation:

In a silver julep glass or a double old-fashioned glass, muddle two sprigs of mint with the brown sugar and one ounce of Wild Turkey 101 for a few minutes, crushing the mint leaves with a spoon.

Add the crushed ice, the remaining bourbon and garnish with a sprig of freshly spanked mint (take a mint sprig, put it between your hands and clap to release the aromas).

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Georgia Mint Julep

Ingredients:

sugar
water
crushed ice
brandy
peach brandy
fresh mint

Preparation:

Chill silver julep tumblers or mugs.

For each tumbler, dissolve 1 teaspoon of sugar in a little water. Reserve.

Fill each tumbler with finely crushed ice. Pour in 3/4 ounce brandy and 3/4 ounce peach brandy. Stir in dissolved sugar. Stir until the outside of tumbler is heavily frosted. Garnish with 5 or 6 sprigs of fresh mint, tucked in the ice so they stand out. Serve with a straw, if desired.

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Péche Julep

3/4 oz MARIE BRIZARD Péche du verger (Peach)
2 oz Rittenhouse Rye whiskey
1/4 tsp brown sugar
Garnish: mint sprig

Build all ingredients in julep cup or rocks glass. Swizzle with crashed ice and garnish with mint sprig.

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Royal Smash

The Royal Smash is a delightful twist on a Mint Julep. It replaces the bourbon with Royal Combier, an orange liqueur that is a blend of triple sec, cognac, and a 19th century liqueur call Elixir de Combier. When this medley of flavors is paired with freshly muddled lemon and mint the result is quite spectacular as the lemon enhances the orange essence. In true julep fashion, I suggest pouring this over crushed ice.

Ingredients:

2 oz Royal Combier
4 chunks fresh lemon (1/2 lemon)
6-8 mint leaves   

Preparation:

Muddle mint leaves and lemon wedges in a mixing glass.

Add Royal Combier and ice and shake hard.

Strain over ice in a rocks glass and garnish with a mint leave