More than likely you will be watching some or part of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday. So why not enjoy it with friends and pour some mint juleps? A small wager on your favorite horse will make the race more exciting. Don’t forget the bourbon, whether for another drink or combined with chocolate for delicious bourbon balls. Combining chocolate and pecans in a dessert is another Kentucky Derby tradition such as chocolate cupcakes topped with pecans or chocolate pecan pie. You can make it as casual or as fun and festive as you want with hats, horse cutouts to top the food, and boot cutouts for place cards.
Mint Julep: Serves 8
Ingredients:
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup roughly chopped fresh mint leaves
- 1 quart bourbon
In a medium saucepan over high heat, combine water, sugar, and chopped mint; bring to a boil, stirring constantly until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, and cool for about an hour. Pour syrup through a strainer over a bowl, discard solids.
Fill 8 cups or frozen goblets with crushed iced; pour 4 ounces of bourbon and 1/4 cup syrup into each. Top each with a mint spring and a straw.