Last year I missed the Derby for reasons I won’t bother getting into, but this year I am all over the juleps. My go-to julep can be found at Blue Smoke, and they make great ones at Eleven Madison Park (at least during the Big Apple BBQ Block Party). I usually drink juleps w/my good friend Rob, who is currently living in London, so I will be sure to drink at least one in his honor — I’ll be at Rye House for their Derby Party (after a bike ride and a run, of course).
The following julep recipe comes from Wild Turkey Bourbon Master Distiller Jimmy Russell. He’s been in the industry for 56 years and has refined his recipe over the years to come up with his version of the perfect mint julep — make a few and drink them regardless of whether or not you actually watch the race!
THE 56 JULEP
2.5 oz. Wild Turkey 101
3 sprigs of mint (six to eight mature-sized leaves)
1.5 teaspoons brown sugar
.5 cup crushed ice
In a traditional silver julep cup or double old fashioned glass, muddle two sprigs of mint with the brown sugar and one ounce of Wild Turkey 101 for a few minutes, crushing the mint leaves with a spoon. Add the crushed ice, the remaining bourbon, and garnish with sprig of mint.
In other julep fun, watch Jason Littrell make a mint julep in this video.