Mint Juleps

Sensual Spring has arrived; the birds chirp and sun dresses. During spring one has a plethora of opportunities to enjoy outdoor festivities, events, and parties. One of the greatest Spring traditions, Derby Day, occurs this Saturday. Dickie Brennan's Bourbon House will celebrate The 134th running of the hohses and Fred Metzinger's Christmas all month long by offering a souvenir Kentucky Derby glass (it really should be a pewter cup, but we allow indiscretions to slide; Christ, we hang out with Legend) whenever you order a Woodford Reserve Mint Julep. I really like Mint Juleps, and if you know what is good for you you will also.

Here is a guideline for you to use on Saturday.

Simple Syrup
In a pot you would cook rice in, combine 2 cups sugar and 1 cup water. Bring to a simmer until the sugar has completely dissolved. Allow to cool. At this point you could add flavorings to the simple syrup mixture, like say some bruised mint leaves, or orange zest. Its up to you.

In a mint julep cup, cocktail shaker, or just a glass, combine 4-5 leaves of mint, and a pinch of sugar, along with 1-2 tablespoons of simple syrup (make a couple test runs). Begin muddling. If you don't have a muddler (but I bet that Mojito kit your wife's Aunt, but who isn't really related to her, gave yall for your wedding has one), use the handle of a blunt wooden object (like a wooden spoon).

Then top with crushed ice, and a 5-8 second pour of bourbon. If you used a cocktail shaker, pour mixture into a glass. Then take one last, mint leaf, crush it with your finger, and rub the leaf around the rim of the glass. Enjoy.

Now for a twist on the above. Take some strawberries, take off the green part (the fancy term is Hull), and roughly cut them up. Add about 1 tablespoon of cut-up strawberries to the mint leaves, simple sugar and pinch of sugar and then muddle. Everything else stays the same. I had this version at the Antoine's Cocktail Party, dynamite.

Interesting Fact of the Day: People love asking questions like "What is the difference between Bourbon, Whisky, and Whiskey? "

It makes for great cocktail conversation, I guess. Now, there will undoubtedly be a know-it-all wherever you are who will answer, "Bourbon can only be come from Bourbon, Kentucky."

This will cause everyone in the room to say, "Wow, what an interesting young man, I bet he would win Jeopardy."

In reality, he has either erred or lied or both. The rules on "Bourbon" require it to contain more than 51% corn and to age in a new, charred barrel, along with a few other minor rules. The only geographic limitation mandates Bourbon be made in America. Therefore, you could make Bourbon in Gentilly.