Celebrate the Kentucky Derby the first Saturday in May with a classic Mint Julep. It's a traditional Southern cocktail with fresh mint, bourbon, a little sugar and crushed ice. It's typically served in silver julep cup but can be served in a glass tumbler
1 lemon, rinsed
2 t. sugar
5 fresh mint sprigs (3 - 5 inches), rinsed and drained
1 1/2 c. crushed
1/4 c. bourbon
2 T. club soda
Peel a 2 inch strip of peel (yellow part only) from lemon; cut into long, thin shreds. Cut lemon in half; rub 1 cut side on the rim of a chilled glass (10 - 12 oz.) to moisten; save lemon for other uses, if desired.
Pour 2 t. sugar on a small plate; dip moist glass rim in sugar to coat evenly; pour sugar into glass.
Add 4 mint sprigs to glass. With a wooden spoon, crush mint sprigs with sugar, to bruise the leaves and release the mint flavor. Fill glass with crushed ice; add bourbon; fill to rim with club soda; let stand until glass is frosty, about 2 minutes.
Garnish with lemon peel and remaining mint sprig. Sip julep through a straw, adding more sugar, to taste.
Makes 1 cocktail.
PT0M