Southern Mint Julep Recipes

Steps:

• To prepare mint extract, remove about 40 small mint leaves. Wash and place in a small bowl. Cover with 3 ounces bourbon. Allow the leaves to soak for 15 minutes. Then gather the leaves in paper toweling. Thoroughly wring the mint over the bowl of whisky. Dip the bundle again and repeat the process several times.
• To prepare simple syrup, mix 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of distilled water in a small saucepan. Heat to dissolve sugar. Stir constantly so the sugar does not burn. Set aside to cool.
• To prepare mint julep mixture, pour 3 1/2 cups of bourbon into a large glass bowl or glass pitcher. Add 1 cup of the simple syrup to the bourbon.
• Now begin adding the mint extract 1 tablespoon at a time to the julep mixture. Each batch of mint extract is different, so you must taste and smell after each tablespoon is added. You are looking for a soft mint aroma and taste-generally about 3 tablespoons. When you think it's right, pour the whole mixture back into the empty liter bottle and refrigerate it for at least 24 hours to "marry" the flavors.
• To serve the julep, fill each glass (preferably a silver mint julep cup) 1/2 full with shaved ice. Insert a spring of mint and then pack in more ice to about 1-inch over the top of the cup. Then, insert a straw that has been cut to 1-inch above the top of the cup so the nose is forced close to the mint when sipping the julep.
• When frost forms on the cup, pour the refrigerated julep mixture over the ice and add a sprinkle of powdered sugar to the top of the ice. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• To make the Mint Simple Syrup, bring the sugar and water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Boil, stirring often, for 5 minutes or until sugar dissolves.
• Remove from heat, add mint, and let cool completely.
• Pour syrup into a glass jar, then cover and chill 24 hours. Remove the mint and discard.
• To make the drink, place mint leaves and Mint Simple Syrup in a chilled julep cup. Gently press the leaves against the cup with the back of a spoon to release flavors.
• Pack the cup tightly with crushed ice and pour the bourbon over ice. Insert a 4-inch cocktail straw, place mint sprig directly next to straw, and sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.
• Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Muddle the mint leaves with the bourbon, maple syrup and jalapeno syrup in a tall pint glass or cocktail shaker.
• Fill a mint julep glass with crushed ice. Top the glass or shaker with a cocktail strainer, then pour the bourbon mixture over the ice and top with the lemon-lime soda. Slap the mint sprig to release the oils and add it. Add the jalapeno slices directly to the ice and serve.

Steps:

• In a tall crystal tumbler, gently bruise the 12 mint leaves, and muddle with sugar and a dash of bourbon.
• Fill the glass halfway with cracked ice, and agitate with a spoon.
• Pack the rest of the glass with ice and fill with the rest of the bourbon and equal parts fresh water and carbonated water.
• Garnish with mint sprig. Twist a lemon zest over the leaves, and dust with powdered sugar. Serve with two short straws.