Anyway, the derby is a great excuse to bring out your inner Gatsby– wear a large hat, make bets, and drink the classic derby drink, a mint julep.
But I have to tell ya’ll a secret. I am a proper southern lady, but I’m not the biggest mint julep fan. The drink always seems too sweet or too boozy. So, I put a little spin on the classic with the addition of peaches. I adapted the recipe from the following two recipes: Stonefruit and Mint Julep and Frozen Mint Julep.
This recipe will make four small drinks or two large drinks. I don’t judge.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup of water
1 cup of sugar
2 cups of mint leaves
1 cup of Kentucky Bourbon
2 cups of frozen peaches
1 handful of ice
Step 1: Make a mint-flavored simple syrup by boiling the sugar, water and torn mint leaves together. Use a whisk to help the sugar dissolve in the water.
Step 2: After sugar has dissolved, take the syrup off the heat and let it cool. As the syrup is cooling, blend the whiskey, peaches and ice in a blender until it is the consistency of a smoothie.
Step 3: Once syrup has cooled to the touch, strain the mint out of syrup.
Step 3: Add the syrup to the blender and give it one last whir to ensure the mixture is completely blended.
Step 4: Wet the rim of your glass with water or fruit and dip the glass rim in sugar. Pour in your drink and garnish with a sprig of mint.
Step 5: Bet on the prettiest horse (which is usually my strategy) and enjoy your julep!
Note: Traditionally a mint julep is served in a silver goblet! Crazy, huh? Since I didn’t have any silver goblets lying around, I served the drinks in plain ‘ol chilled mason jars.
love,
melanie
I will definitely be making these when it get hots.
Let me know how they turn out!
When I was in Liverpool a few weeks ago, the streets were filled with girls and gents dressed to the nines – waistcoats and long tails, outrageous hats and stilettos. It was the day of the Grand National! Exciting stuff, for a girl who grew up watching Elizabeth Taylor ride in National Velvet. (:
That sounds very good.