Springtime holds so many festive events like an abundance of birthdays in our family (all four of us have birthdays in April, May, and June, and other family birthdays are peppered in), Easter, Mother’s Day, The Kentucky Derby, and graduations. We consider spring the official mark to entertaining season, where there really is always an excuse to be celebrating. Paired with delectable recipes for every occasion, table tops become filled with flowers and candles, sweet and charming place settings, and delicious food and drinks that mark those special moments. These table tops are the anchor for laughter and memories, and stories that will become told for years to come.
This weekend’s Derby is always synonymous with the classic Mint Julep and, for us, is an excuse to gather. A mainstay is the classic Mint Julep recipe, served in silver julep cups and garnished with fresh mint. Add in those ornate Derby hats and you have an instant race day celebration!
4 Cups of Bourbon || 1 Cup of distilled water || 1 Cup of granulated sugar || 2 bunches of fresh mint || Powdered sugar
To prepare mint extract, remove about 40 small mint leaves. Wash and place in a small bowl. Cover with 3 ounces bourbon. Allow the leaves to soak for 15 minutes. Then gather the leaves in paper toweling. Thoroughly wring the mint over the bowl of whisky. Dip the bundle again and repeat the process several times.
To prepare simple syrup, mix 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of distilled water in a small saucepan. Heat to dissolve sugar. Stir constantly so the sugar does not burn. Set aside to cool.
To prepare mint julep mixture, pour 3 1/2 cups of bourbon into a large glass bowl or glass pitcher. Add 1 cup of the simple syrup to the bourbon.
Now begin adding the mint extract 1 tablespoon at a time to the julep mixture. Each batch of mint extract is different, so you must taste and smell after each tablespoon is added. You are looking for a soft mint aroma and taste-generally about 3 tablespoons. When you think it’s right, pour the whole mixture back into the empty liter bottle and refrigerate it for at least 24 hours to “marry” the flavors.
To serve the julep, fill each glass (preferably a silver mint julep cup) 1/2 full with shaved ice. Insert a spring of mint and then pack in more ice to about 1-inch over the top of the cup. Then, insert a straw that has been cut to 1-inch above the top of the cup so the nose is forced close to the mint when sipping the julep.
When frost forms on the cup, pour the refrigerated julep mixture over the ice and add a sprinkle of powdered sugar to the top of the ice. Serve immediately.
Cocktail styling: Valley & Company Events || Image: O’Malley Photographers || Name tag: Laura Hooper Calligraphy
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