Derby Day Drinks

Image courtesy of esquire.com

     Today is Derby Day and of course the staple drink is the mint julep. I had never had one until my trip to Kentucky last year, and frankly I was a little surprised at the taste. All that sugar yields a taste resembling a boozy version of Southern sweet tea. Not really a big fan as it's just too syrupy for me, but the tradition is quite romantic and it can be refreshing in the muggy summer. Oh and the design fanatic in me just loves the cups...there may or may not be some serving as small vases around my home...

Super easy to make...the hard part is just getting the shaved ice.

Mint Julep 
Makes 1 Cocktail

2 - 2.5 oz. Bourbon
1 oz. Simple syrup (1:1 water & sugar, dissolved over medium heat)
5-6 Mint leaves
Shaved ice
Mint garnish

Muddle the mint leaves with the simple syrup at the bottom of a chilled julep cup (or old fashioned glass), add shaved  ice, pour the bourbon on top. Garnish with spare mint leaves.

Notes:  Some people prefer to make the simple syrup with mint in it, but that's not a prerequisite. No need to use the top-shelf bourbon; the flavor gets quite obscured, so use whatever you have without reservation.