This Saturday is the Kentucky Derby––if you're not headed to Golden Gate Fields, you'll need to find a wacky hat, the horse with the best name (this year's contenders: Archarcharch, Pants on Fire, Master of Hounds, and Derby Kitten) and glue a mint julep to your palm.
Throw your own Derby party with these julep recipes from Liquor.com, cooked up by Erick Castro, bar manager over at Rickhouse.
Mint Julep
Contributed by: Erick Castro
INGREDIENTS:
* 2 oz Bourbon
* .25 oz Raw sugar simple syrup (one part water, one part raw sugar)
* 8 Mint leaves
* Garnish: Mint sprig
* Glass: Julep
PREPARATION:
Lightly muddle the mint and simple syrup in a julep cup. Add bourbon and pack tightly with crushed ice. Stir until the cup is frosted on the outside. Top with more crushed ice to form an ice dome and garnish with a mint sprig.
Georgia Mint Julep
Contributed by: Erick Castro
INGREDIENTS:
* 1.5 oz VS Cognac
* .75 oz Peach liqueur (Mathilde)
* 8 Mint leaves
* Dash raw sugar simple syrup (one part water, one part raw sugar)
* Garnish: Pineapple wedge and mint sprig
* Glass: Julep
PREPARATION:
Lightly muddle the mint and simple syrup in a julep cup. Add the remaining ingredients and pack tightly with crushed ice. Garnish the drink with a pineapple wedge and mint sprig.
Honey Stone Julep
Contributed by: Erick Castro
INGREDIENTS:
* 2 oz Bourbon
* .5 oz Honey syrup (one part honey, one part water)
* .5 oz Apricot liqueur (Rothman & Winter)
* 8 Mint leaves
* Garnish: Pineapple wedge and mint sprig
* Glass: Julep
PREPARATION:
Lightly muddle the mint and honey in a julep cup. Add the remaining ingredients and pack tightly with crushed ice. Garnish the drink with a pineapple wedge and mint sprig.
