Now I've opened up the books and enjoyed a julep its gotten me onto something
of a roll and the bars not too busy yet so if y'all indulge me a little
further I shall proceed. (Juleps are something of a favourite of mine need I
add.)
Ted Sauciers very enjoyable tome "Bottoms Up" lists no fewer than 15 Mint
Julep recipes- including the aforementioned Irvin S Cobbs. My other favourite
is this one:
Juleps: Henry Clay Kentucky Mint Julep
Courtesy Hotel Lafayette, Lexington, Kentucky
"Kentucky Mint Julep" of Henry Clay given to Captain Thomas H. Clay, his
grandson.
1 teaspoon sugar
Little water
bourbon whiskey
Mint
Gather the tender sprigs of mint in the early morning, while the dew from
heaven is thick upon them. Do not let them wilt, bur place them carefully in a
glass of cold water in a refridgerator until ready for use, which, if I am not
badly mistaken, will be before long. In making mint julep, use silver cups.
First, a little water and, say, a teaspoon of sugar should be put into the cup
and disolved thorourghly. Next, fill the cup with sparkling cracked ice and
stir well. Now we have arrived at the most important part of concocting a mint
julep.
Pour in a liberal portion of good old bourbon whisky, let it trickle through
the ice and stir well.
Take a goodly number of sprigs of mint and push them down seperatly and very
gently through the ice to the bottom of the cup, being carefull not to mash or
bruise them any more than can be helped. Let the Mint protrude a few inches
above the top of the cup.
Now the julep is ready to sample, but stop and take a long look at the frosted
cup and then take a nose dive into the mint which, after several whiffs, you
will find very pleasing to the olfactory nerves. Of course, the amount of
whisky and sugar must be used according to taste. When the mint is placed in a
toddy and mashed, it is a Mint Smash and not a Mint Julep."
So there, be told. I'll hear no more of this mint mashing malarky.....
Thats enough from me tonight. Cheers- Jake...........
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I'd rather have a full bottle in front of me, than a full frontal lobotomy....