The mint julep is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby but its history is often debated and there seems to be no agreement as to how the julep was first made. The julep is mostly cited as being developed in Virginia and it's claimed to have gotten its start as the spirited equivalent of coffee for farmers before they took to the fields in the morning. A legend also claims that when a man was searching near the Mississippi river for water to add to his bourbon, he saw mint growing wild which he then added to his mixture - and the julep was born. Today, the julep is embedded in the Derby ceremony itself and so naturally it is also disputed that the cocktail originated in Bourbon County, Kentucky, the birth place of bourbon, the drink's original spirit.
Whatever its origins may be, the julep is a true staple of the American South. And we're twisting it with Scotch whisky or cognac.
Julep Recipes
Cognac
Cognac
Whisky
Cognac
Hennessy Georgia Mint Julep
60 mL Hennessy VSOP
7.5 mL apricot brandy
7.5 mL heavy simple syrup (2:1)
8 tender mint sprigs (slim stems)
Garnish: mint Sprig, sprinkle powdered sugar
Glass: Julep tin or highball glass
Place 8 mint sprigs in the bottom of the julep cup, add the liquids, now fill half full with crushed ice, stir to combine and chill, top with more crushed ice to just above the rim of the glass.
Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and a small dusting of powdered sugar over the top.
Cognac
Hennessy Mint Julep
75 mL Hennessy V.S
1 teaspoon of sugar
2 mint sprigs
Garnish: mint sprig
Glass: Julep Tin or highball glass
Place five or six mint leaves at the bottom of a Julep tin, add sugar, and press several times with a muddler.
Fill glass with crushed ice, pour Hennessy V.S. over ice, and stir briskly until chilled.
Add more ice and garnish with a few sprigs of mint.
Whisky
Glenmorangie Highland Mint Julep
45 mL Glenmorangie Original
12 mint leaves
12.5 mL sugar syrup
1 dash Angostura bitters
Garnish: large mint sprig
Glass: Julep tin or highball glass
Pour all the ingredients into a mixing glass then gently press the mint to extract the essential oils. Fill the mixing glass with cubed ice and stir to chill, dilute slightly and combine the ingredients. Then fill a julep cup with crushed ice, and single strain the liquid from mixing glass into the cup.
Stir slightly and top up with crushed ice.
To finish, add a large sprig of fresh mint – and a straw cut short to ensure the mint’s scent is appreciated.
