I was close to naming this article “Simple Mint Juice Recipes For When You Have A Lot Of Mint And Don’t Know What To Do With It.” Let me tell you why. I’ve been traveling recently and when I got home, I noticed a new factory sprouted has sprouted in my front yard! Assuming I didn’t put any effort into the scene making and there no green thumbs at all, you can imagine my surprise. I discovered a cluster of vibrant green leaves on my doorstep.
Only inhaling the fresh spring air will you realize that this is actually a mint plant. And after examining its leaves more closely, it was confirmed: I have over 40 sprigs of fresh mint miraculously growing in my yard. While I wish this happened with my other favorite herbs like basil and coriander, I’m excited about this little gift from nature — and I know I have to put it to good use. Cue mint juleps easy!
Why does it taste mint?
As it turns out, mint is actually an invasive species. It can quickly take over your entire garden if you’re not careful. I had to remove the entire tree pretty quickly to prevent this. Naturally, that leaves me with more mint on hand than I can handle.
Peppermint has many uses from cooking to making cocktails, but no more readily than a classic mint. With the Kentucky Derby coming up and the weather heating up in Austin, it seemed like the perfect time to concoct this easy mint julep recipe. So what is the secret of this famous cocktail? For me, it’s a lot of crushed ice and a little bit of honey. Read on to learn how to make this bold yet refreshing classic.
What are the ingredients in a mint julep?
A traditional mint julep consists of bourbon, simple syrup, and mint. Could it get any easier than that? Although I made it with store-bought simple syrup for ease, you can make your own simple syrup by combining one cup of sugar with one cup of water and boiling the mixture until when the sugar melts. Since the drink is a bit difficult for me, I added a little honey to sweeten it a bit.
What type of bourbon is used in a mint?
The main difference between mint julep and mojito is the choice of alcohol. While mojitos are made from rum, mint juleps contain bourbon, a whiskey. Any bourbon goes well with this drink. Although it tends to be a bit sweeter than your typical whiskey, the smoky flavor still dominates the mint flavor. Whether you are a fan of bourbon or not, be aware that this drink is not for the faint of heart!
Tips for making a mint julep:
“Applause” mint flavor. When making your mint julep, do this before adding it to your cup. The movement releases the natural flavors of the herb and will make a difference in the flavor of the drink. I choose to do this instead of mixing mint.
Walk heavy on rubble. Drinks tend to soften as the ice melts, but you can also add lime juice, club soda or fizzy water to further dilute the bourbon if you want a lighter cocktail.
