30 Apr, 2012

Maker’s Mark’s Perfect Mint Julep For Derby Day

Posted by Stacy

Maker’s Mark’s Perfect Mint Julep For Derby Day

The Perfect Mint Julep. (Courtesy Photo: Maker’s Mark)

The Mint Julep goes exceedingly well with long summer days, horses, pretty hats and good company. It’s time to press your seersucker suit and unpack your fanciest hat because racing around the corner comes the most exciting two minutes in sports, the Kentucky Derby on May 5. More than just a sporting event, Derby is as much about fashion and sipping mint juleps as it is horse racing. So, what exactly is a mint julep? It sounds simple – ice, bourbon, sugar and mint – but the truth is there’s a lot of prep that goes into making this iconic drink correctly.

Maker’s Mark is one of Kentucky’s finest premium bourbons, handcrafted at the oldest operating bourbon distillery in the world. , eighth generation distiller and grandson of Maker’s Mark Founder Bill Samuels Sr., has happily offered up his family’s personal recipe for The Perfect Mint Julep so that you can share it with our readers.

For those who don’t have enough time to make juleps, Rob suggests trying Maker’s 46 – the first new bourbon from Maker’s Mark in 52 years. Best enjoyed neat or on the rocks, Maker’s 46 is finished with seared French oak staves and offers a bolder and more complex taste than the original Maker’s Mark. It has a rich, creamy caramel and vanilla flavor with a big, oaky finish.

The Perfect Mint Julep Serves 14 to 16

• 1 liter Maker’s Mark Bourbon
• Lots of fresh spearmint
• Distilled water
• Granulated sugar
• Powdered sugar

To prepare the mint extract, remove about 40 small mint leaves – wash and place in a small mixing bowl. Cover with three ounces of Maker’s Mark. Allow the leaves to soak for 15 minutes. Then, gather the leaves in a clean, soap-free piece of cotton cloth and vigorously wring the mint bundle over the bowl of whisky. Dip the bundle again and repeat the process several times. Then set aside.