If Wishes Were Horses...

For the past 134 years, The Kentucky Derby has been an American Institution. The pomp and circumstance. The Hats. The glamor and high-handedness of a Southern Tradition. It was founded by Col. Meriweather Lewis Clark, Jr., the grandson of William Clark, of Lewis and Clark fame. He traipsed about the world and when he returned to his home nation, he decided to start a Derby, further classing up the Southern United States.

I mention this only because a culinary delight that is distinctly American is tied to this tradition. It is nearly as old as the horse race and has it's origins in medicine. And certainly, it will cure all that ails you.

It was the kind of a day that resulted in us not knowing what to do and Hannah exclaimed: "What time is the Derby today?" When I say "today," I mean May 3rd. Weeks ago. I've been meaning to blog this for some time now and I really have gotten behind on my blogs.

We decided that it was time that we did something classy, as classy as the pageantry of the Kentucky Derby. The Silks. The Beautiful Stallions and Fillies. The Hats.

The Mint Juleps.



We've seen some differing methods of how to make them. One says to muddle the mint in the glass with sugar and soda water. The method we used? Well, it's pretty much straight up liquor and sugar. And there's nothing that is not classy about it.

Be careful though. This recipe requires bourbon. This recipe requires that you use expensive bourbon. Well, we didn't do that. We did the next best thing and used Maker's Mark. If you've never had Maker's Mark, please, God, try it. It's great.

One last note: Unless you are interested in being a puddle on the floor, please be responsible while drinking these. Since we live in New York, we have access to a 24 hour train, but we know not everyone does. So please be responsible drinking these. We don't want our readers to be injured in any way.

So without further ado:



Mint Julep
(Makes 1 drink)

Ingredients

1 scant ounce minted simple syrup
2 cups crushed ice
2 ounces bourbon (such as Woodford Reserve)
Fresh mint sprig, for garnish


To highball glass or silver Julep cup, add minted simple syrup, then 1 cup crushed ice, bourbon, and splash of water. Add enough of remaining ice to almost fill glass. Stir well and garnish with mint sprig.



WHAT? Dammit, Sundberg! You put a thing in them there ingredients that we didn't have a recipe for! What are you trying to pull? Not everyone has Minted Simple Syrup hanging around you damned Phish-listening hippie!

Relax. Here's the recipe:

Minted Simple Syrup
(makes about ½ cup)

Ingredients

1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 bunch mint

In heavy medium saucepan over medium heat, stir together water and sugar until sugar dissolves. Increase heat slightly, then simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Take pan off heat, add mint leaves, and steep 15 minutes. Strain, then refrigerate syrup until cold, about 3 hours. (Can be prepared 1 week ahead. Cover and keep refrigerated.)

Enjoy!


[Just so everyone knows, Hannah and I will be moving, in June, to Brooklyn. Since we're a bit pre-occupied with the moving itinerary, we might not be posting as often as we'd like. Sorry. But in the next month, you will see a brand new, bright sparkly kitchen. And hopefully, the pictures will look better, too. Also, if you would like to come over for dinner, please do drop us a note, we'd be happy to have you. If you bring bourbon.]

3 comments:

  1. Anonymous said...

    Amy and I will come over...we probably won't bring any bourbon, though. (Maybe a nice sweet red for dessert instead...)

    And, speaking as someone who lived in Alabama for 8 years, there is NOTHING classy about the south, depsite their silly little pony races and fruity drinks. (Our good ole' PA-Dutch work horses could take those sissy thoroughbreds any day of the week.)

    -Walt  

  2. Matthias said...

    Oh, I agree about the Pennsylvania Dutch work horses. Those things could give a serious beatdown.

    However, the hats, the sissy-horse races, and most importantly, the Waffle Houses indicate to me that all of the south is classy.  

  3. Scott D. said...

    Hey MY fav summer drink would have to be any thing lemon and icy.. LOL! I have to stay clear of the dark liquors.. Love the mason jars though.. I have a few of my own..  


 

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