Derby Countdown

Triple crown season is upon us. May 4th marks the  139th Kentucky Derby. To get you in the spirit here are (5) derby drink recipes to try out at home. 

Southern Mint Julep
1 glass of Bourbon
4 sprigs fresh mint
1/2 tbsp. powdered sugar

In a julep cup, crush the mint leaves and sugar lightly together, add bourbon and fill glass with cracked ice; stir gently until cup is frosted. Decorate on top with 3 sprigs of mint.

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Champagne Julep
1 lump sugar
2 sprigs mint
Use long tumbler

Fill glass with champagne. Stir gently and decorate with slices of fruit in season.

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Derby
Mix together:
2 parts Scotch Whiskey
1 part honey
1 part grapefruit juice

Smashes
The "smash" is in effect a julep on a small plan. To prepare it the following recipe is usually used:

In a medium-size glass:
Dissolve 1 lump of sugar
Add 4 leaves of green mint, and crush mint and sugar very lightly together
Place lump of ice in glass
Then add one small glass of either Bacardi rum, brandy, gin, Irish whiskey, or Scotch whiskey as fancy dictates.

Decorate with a slice of orange, and squeeze lemon peel on top.

Pimm's Cup 

Ingredients
¼ oz. demerara sugar syrup (2:1 sugar/water ratio)
3 lemon (cut into wedges)
3 lime (cut into wedges)
6 orange (cut into wedges)
2 oz. Pimm’s No. 1
Club soda

In a metal shaker, combine demerara syrup and citrus wedges, and crush with a wooden muddler. Add Pimm’s and a couple of ice cubes, and shake well. Strain into an ice-filled highball glass and fill to the rim with club soda. Stir to combine and serve.

Mint Julep