Food & Beverage

Break Out Your Biggest Hat and Your Best Julep

By Mary-Kate Dunphy May 2, 2014 1:00am

Food & Beverage

The Kentucky Derby is all about the hats and cocktails for most of its spectators so give your customers a taste of the derby.

The Early Times Mint Julep (Official Drink of the Kentucky Derby) Courtesy of Early Times Distillery Co. 2 cups sugar 2 cups water Sprigs of fresh mint Crushed ice Early Times Kentucky Whisky Silver Julep Cups Make a simple syrup by boiling sugar and water together for five minutes. Cool and place in a covered container with six or eight sprigs of fresh mint, then refrigerate overnight. Make one julep at a time by filling a julep cup with crushed ice, adding one tablespoon mint syrup and two ounces of Early Times Kentucky Whisky. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the outside of the cup. Garnish with asprig of fresh mint.

I Ride with Rosie Julep Created by Wild Turkey 2 oz. Wild Turkey 81 1 oz. Wild Turkey American Honey 1.5 oz. Lemon Juice Mint Sprigs Crushed ice Slap mint springs in palm of your hand to release oils. Tear them into pieces and add to shaker filled with all other ingredients and ice cubes. Shake vigorously. Pour over crushed ice and garnish with a sprig of mint.

American Julep Created by bartender Shannon Henne 1.5 oz. Wild Turkey American Honey Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice 10 sprigs of mint Topped with club soda Serve over crushed ice Lime Wedge and Mint Leaves for Garnish Muddle American Honey, lime and mint in a glass. Add crushed ice. Top with soda and garnish with a lime wedge and fresh mint.

Summertime Julep Created By Morgan Schick 1 1/2 oz. Wild Turkey 101 1/4 oz. Herb Syrup* (thyme, marjoram, sage, parsley, black pepper, rosemary, chervil) 2 Dashes of Orange Bitters Build in glass and fill with crushed ice. Garnish liberally with fresh herbs.

The Frozen Mint Julep Courtesy of Emeril Lagassee 1 1/2 cups sugar, plus more for garnish 1 cup water 2 cups packed fresh mint leaves, coarsely chopped 8 cups ice cubes 2 cups bourbon Orange slices, for garnish Mint sprigs, for garnish Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan and simmer until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and add the mint leaves. Allow to steep until cooled. Once cooled, strain out the leaves. Combine half of the mint syrup, 4 cups ice, and 1 cup bourbon in a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour into a pitcher. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Rub the rims of julep cups, if available, or wide-mouthed, long-stemmed glasses with orange slices and dip the rims in sugar, then fill with the frozen mint juleps. Garnish each with an orange slice and mint sprig and serve immediately.

Food & Beverage