Derby Days - Weep No More My Lady

The Run for the Roses is here.  Ladies are decked out in incredible millinery, horses and jockeys are readying themselves in their silks and finery, and each and everyone of the lookers-on are sipping on the celebrated drink that has defined Derby Day for years - The Mint Julep.

It's that day of the year that I don't even consider buying a bottle of wine.  I would pass on an invitation to a vertical <a onClick="javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview('/outgoing/article_exit_link');" href="http://www.vinology.com" target="_new">wine tasting</a> of Lafite wines come Derby Day.  Maybe this is because this is one of the few days of the year that I actually treat myself to the lovely mint julep.  Or maybe it's because I know I will be concocting this year's juleps with a bottle of Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon, a gift from friends.

A proper julep should consist of a successful marriage of bourbon, sugar, water, and mint.  And although there are many opinions about how the mint should be utilized in this drink, the one truism stands:  This drink is mostly Bourbon (and crushed ice).  The sugar, water, and mint are meant to enhance it.  So although the proportions of sugar, water, and mint are less than the 2 ounce pour of Bourbon, it is necessary to get it right.  Too much sugar and all you've made is a slushee.  Too much mint and you've done gone and ruined a perfectly smooth Bourbon that didn't come cheap.

Now there are many differing opinions over the use of mint.  Some folks like to muddle it into their sugar and water while prepping their simple syrup.  Some simply like to infuse their simple syrup with it.  Those that would call themselves purists like a simple garnish of mint.  It's easier to just toss aside.  Purists-purists forego the julep altogether - they prefer their Bourbon neat, or, as they prefer to say, "as God intended it to be drunk".

Since I usually have 8-10 people over come Derby day (after I've placed my bets at the local OTB), I tend to go with muddling the mint in the simple syrup.  Because it's pretty, I garnish too.

Recipe for the syrup:

Take 1 cup of fresh mint sprigs and muddle the leaves with the sugar and the water while bringing the water to a boil.  When water dissolved, take the simple syrup off the stove to cool.

Recipe for the drink:

Pour just less than an ounce of the mint syrup in an highball glass

Add your crushed ice

Add 2 ounces Bourbon, a splash of water, fill the glass with ice (if needed), garnish with a sprig of mint.

Now on to the singing of My Old Kentucky Home and the most exciting two minutes in sports history!