Cocktail of the Week: Mint Julep

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Hello my sweet peaches, how are you? I am in the swooniest (swooniest? Is that a word? Eh, who cares) mood. My mind is filled with good thoughts and the goofy grin plastered across my face cannot be erased. (And people say I’m over-the-top. Pfft!) Why? Because I am about to hop a flight to Vegas…and on someone else’s dime!

Could life be more grand? I think not.

I can’t give you all the details (mostly because you would go into a boredom induced coma) but suffice it to say, the next 72 hours should be a regular LOVE-fest.

Speaking with someone at the hotel, they reminded me that it is over a hundred degrees this week, (that’s about 46 on the Celsius scale for all of you who care) and to dress accordingly. I’m sorry? How does one dress for being sizzled? Yikers.

The only thing I think may keep me from turning into a Rachael-kabob is staying indoors in the freakish air-conditioning, and indulging in a tall cool Mint Julep. I know, for most of the world, it’s a drink limited to one day a year at the race track, but as a girl who loves her mint (and I DO!), and doesn’t like daiquiris, it is the perfect way to imbibe on a hot (dangerously sweltering?) summer day. I’m so looking forward to it!

If you want to transport yourself too, try this and enjoy!

1 cup water
½ cup sugar
1 cup crushed ice
1 small handful fresh mint, rinsed
2 oz. best quality bourbon (I use Knob Creek)

In a small saucepan (or in a bowl in the microwave) combine the water and sugar. Heat to melt the sugar, stir and cool completely. This is simple syrup. It will keep up to a month in your refrigerator.

In a cocktail shaker, add the mint leaves and muddle (use a muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon) to gently crush the mint. Don’t pulverize it!

Add the ice, ¼ cup of simple syrup and the bourbon. Shake, pour into a tall glass and serve with a mint garnish.

Makes 1 drink. Please sip responsibly.

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According to the experts who wrote The Bourbon Companion, Knob Creek bourbon earned a 90 out of 100. 12 year old Wild Turkey earned a 94, Jack Daniels a 78 and Four Roses Single Barrel Reserve, a 96.

The Mint Julep has been the traditional beverage of Churchill Downs® and the Kentucky Derby® for nearly a century. Early Times Kentucky Whisky has been privileged and honored to be a part of that tradition. The Early Times Mint Julep Ready-to-Serve Cocktail has been "The Official Mint Julep of the Kentucky Derby®" for over 18 years. -Kentuky Derby.com

Muddle: To mash or crush ingredients with a spoon or a muddler (a rod with a flattened end). –Epicurious.com

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