Sip a bit of history on a hot summer day. This drink is especially appropriate if you have (or know someone who has) an abundance of mint growing in their garden – which, if there is any mint at all, is usually in abundance. Extra fun when you drink this in the company of women in fancy hats, men with white gloves, and you are watching the Kentucky Derby.
Mint Julep Signature Drinks:
Makes twelve ten-ounce bottles
• 5 – 1/2 cups water
• 3 cups sugar
• A clean one-half gallon bowl full of mint leaves, compacted
• 3 fifths of good quality whiskey like Early Times
Bring the water to boil, then add sugar, stirring constantly until dissolved. Allow syrup to simmer for five minutes. In the meantime, crush or chop the mint leaves the best you can; this brings out the mint flavor. Pour the hot syrup over the mint leaves and stir until thoroughly mixed. Cover the container with a plate or a clean towel and allow the syrup to steep overnight. The next morning, discard the mint leaves, strain the liquid through a sieve if needed, and refrigerate. When thoroughly cool, add the whiskey and stir well. Using a funnel, pour into glass bottles. Tighten cap securely, add bottle hoods, labels and tags. I wish I had added a line of text to the tag or label, saying “just add ice”.
Single-Serving Mint Juleps Recipe:
• 1 Tbsp simple syrup
• 1 Tbsp water
• 2 ounces Early Times whiskey
• mint sprigs
• crushed ice
To make mint juleps, crush a few mint leaves in the bottom of an 8-oz. glass, then fill with crushed ice. Add one tablespoon of simple syrup, one tablespoon of water, and 2 ounces of Early Times. Stir gently until glass frosts. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig, sip and enjoy.
Simple Syrup:
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• enough fresh mint leaves to fill the syrup container
To make simple syrup, combine sugar and water, boil for 5 minutes without stirring. Pour hot syrup over the mint leaves, and gently crush the leaves with a muddler or a spoon. Keep overnight in a closed jar, then discard mint leaves and refrigerate the syrup. It will stay fresh for several weeks refrigerated.
To make Kentucky Mint Juleps Signature Drink bottles, you will need:
• Bottles from SpecialtyBottle.com, about $0.97 each
• Bottle hoods
• Rectangular Labels, I chose the Casablanca style in Mint.
• Oval Hang Tags, I chose the Casablanca style in Mint.
More wedding favor ideas from Jeanne…
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Jeanne and her husband David launched My Own Labels in January of 2000. It was a spin-off of their successful graphic design firm, plus it allowed Jeanne to incorporate her love of baking, making, sewing and creating. Today David and Jeanne continue to be the heart of the operation both creatively and practically.
