In this cocktail, the sharp taste of bourbon (American corn whiskey) is ideally combined with the rich aroma of mint, and the sharpness and high strength of the mixture is perfectly smoothed out by sugar syrup. Mint Julep is easy to prepare at home, but the taste of the drink will be appreciated only by experienced connoisseurs of bar culture who are tired of the classics.
Historical information
The word “Julep” came into English from the Arabic gulab (jul – rose, ab – water) and literally translates as “rose water”. So in the Middle Ages they called the medicine that was aged and distilled on rose petals. It turned out herbal tincture from any ailments. A similar tool is still produced in India, but for cosmetic purposes.
The first written mention of Julep in the context of an alcoholic drink with mint occurs in 1787. This is one of the oldest cocktails in the world. Residents of the US South (Maryland, Virginia or North Carolina) liked to add a few mint leaves to strong liquor (rum, gin, brandy or whiskey). John Davis spoke about this in 1803 in his book Travels of four years and a half in the United States of America.
The classic Mint Julep recipe originated towards the end of the XNUMXth century in Kentucky, where lightly crushed mint leaves were added to local corn whiskey. It turned out that bourbon is better than other strong alcoholic drinks combined with mint.
In 1938, the Mint Julep cocktail became the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, a horse race that features the finest riders in the southern United States. For 2 days of the competition, spectators drink about 120 thousand servings of a cocktail.
At the moment, the Mint Julep cocktail is included in the official list of the International Bartenders Association and is presented in the section “Modern Classics (Contemporary Classics)”.
Mint Julep Recipe
Composition and proportions:
- bourbon – 60 ml;
- mint – 12 fresh leaves;
- powdered sugar – 1 teaspoon;
- water (without gas) – 2 teaspoons;
- crushed ice – 150 grams.
Properly prepare Mint Julep in a copper, pewter or silver mug. If there is no such container at home, ordinary glasses with a thick bottom will do – rocks or old fashion.
Technology of preparation
1. Put mint at the bottom of a pre-chilled glass.
2. Add powdered sugar and water.
3. Muddle the mint until the sugar dissolves.
To get a rich minty taste, the leaves must be kneaded vigorously for at least 60 seconds and left for 5 minutes before adding alcohol to release the essential oils.
4. Pour in 40 ml of bourbon.
5. Fill the glass with ice to the top. Stir the cocktail with a spoon until the walls of the glass (mug) are covered with perspiration.
6. Add 20 ml of bourbon, add some ice (to the top of the glass).
7. Mix lightly. Decorate with a sprig of mint.
The cooking method from Vasily Zakharov is shown in the video.
