Mark Bittmans Mint Julep Recipes

THE PERFECT MINT JULEP

Steps:

• To prepare mint extract, remove about 40 small mint leaves. Wash and place in a small bowl. Cover with 3 ounces bourbon. Allow the leaves to soak for 15 minutes. Then gather the leaves in paper toweling. Thoroughly wring the mint over the bowl of whisky. Dip the bundle again and repeat the process several times.
• To prepare simple syrup, mix 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of distilled water in a small saucepan. Heat to dissolve sugar. Stir constantly so the sugar does not burn. Set aside to cool.
• To prepare mint julep mixture, pour 3 1/2 cups of bourbon into a large glass bowl or glass pitcher. Add 1 cup of the simple syrup to the bourbon.
• Now begin adding the mint extract 1 tablespoon at a time to the julep mixture. Each batch of mint extract is different, so you must taste and smell after each tablespoon is added. You are looking for a soft mint aroma and taste-generally about 3 tablespoons. When you think it's right, pour the whole mixture back into the empty liter bottle and refrigerate it for at least 24 hours to "marry" the flavors.
• To serve the julep, fill each glass (preferably a silver mint julep cup) 1/2 full with shaved ice. Insert a spring of mint and then pack in more ice to about 1-inch over the top of the cup. Then, insert a straw that has been cut to 1-inch above the top of the cup so the nose is forced close to the mint when sipping the julep.
• When frost forms on the cup, pour the refrigerated julep mixture over the ice and add a sprinkle of powdered sugar to the top of the ice. Serve immediately.

MARK BITTMAN'S MINT JULEP

Steps:

• Muddle mint leaves and the simple syrup in a glass, then add the ice and whiskey. Garnish: lots of fresh mint.

TRADITIONAL MINT JULEP

Steps:

• To make the mint simple syrup, add the water and the sugar to a small saucepan and boil for 1 to 2 minutes stirring until sugar is dissolved. Muddle mint slightly to release natural oils, stir it into the syrup mixture. Set aside to cool for about 10 minutes.
• Fill an 8-oz glass with crushed ice. Pour in the whisky and give it a good stir. Then top with the mint syrup and a few sprigs of fresh mint.
• Enjoy slowly (and responsibly).

MINT JULEP

Steps:

• Place mint and 1/4 ounce simple syrup in julep cup or 8- to 10-ounce old-fashioned glass and gently crush leaves with a wooden muddler, working them up sides of glass.
• Loosely pack glass with finely crushed ice, then add bourbon. Drizzle remaining simple syrup on top and garnish with mint sprig lightly dusted with sugar, if desired.

HENRY CLAY'S SOUTHERN MINT JULEP

Steps:

• In a tall crystal tumbler, gently bruise the 12 mint leaves, and muddle with sugar and a dash of bourbon.
• Fill the glass halfway with cracked ice, and agitate with a spoon.
• Pack the rest of the glass with ice and fill with the rest of the bourbon and equal parts fresh water and carbonated water.
• Garnish with mint sprig. Twist a lemon zest over the leaves, and dust with powdered sugar. Serve with two short straws.

MINT JULEP

Steps:

• Shake the bourbon, mint leaves and sugar syrup with ice and strain into a highball glass or julep tin filled with crushed ice. Churn gently with a long-handled spoon and top with more crushed ice. Garnish and serve.

MINT JULEPS

Steps:

• Combine water, sugar and chopped mint leaves in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat until the sugar is completely dissolved. Allow syrup to cool, approximately 1 hour. Pour syrup through a strainer to remove mint leaves
• Fill eight cups or frozen goblets with crushed ice and pour 4 ounces of bourbon and 1/4 cup mint syrup in each. (Proportions can be adjusted depending on each person's sweet tooth). Top each cup with a mint sprig and a straw. Trim straws to just barely protrude from the top of the cups. Serve juleps on a silver platter.