Mint
Julep
There are many variations of the mint julep. However, a good,
basic mint julep can be made by combining mint syrup, bourbon, ice, and
a sprig of mint. The bourbon should be a Kentucky style bourbon such as
Jim Beam, not,
for example, a Tennessee sour mash bourbon, such as Jack Daniels. Crushed
or shaved ice is best, and the julep is traditionally served in a silver
cup. Proportions of syrup to bourbon vary from 1 part bourbon/4 parts syrup
to 2 parts bourbon/1 part syrup.
To the make mint syrup: Take a bunch of mint and at least a cup of sugar
for every three cups of water. Turbinado sugar is ideal, but if you can't
find it white sugar is fine. Bruise each mint leaf with the back of a spoon
and roll it in the sugar (consider putting the mint and sugar inside a closed
Ziploc bag while bruising). Then let mint and sugar sit for a few hours
or days. Boil the mint, sugar and water until the sugar is dissolved and
the water is brown. Chill, leaving at least some of the mint in the syrup
as it chills.
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