2016 photo of Mint Julep in Boston. (Photo Credit: Matt West/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty … [+]
Perhaps no one has thought more about how to make a proper mint julep than Woodford Reserve’s Honorary Master Distiller Chris Morris. When Woodford Reserve became the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby in 1999, Morris was tasked with improving Churchill Downs’ Mint Julep. At that time, the quality and popularity of this drink was declining. Racetracks don’t even make mint juleps with bourbon, and bars in Kentucky don’t have the cocktail on their menus. Since then, thanks to Morris’ efforts, the drink has enjoyed a resurgence, and Morris himself has concocted countless mints of his juleps.
Morris uses Woodford Reserve’s classic mint julep recipe as a starting point, but the secret to making the perfect mint julep is recognizing that there is no perfect mint julep recipe. I say that’s true. “Everyone has their own preferences,” Morris told me on a Zoom call. “Sweetness, mint preferences, etc. are very personal, so one size doesn’t fit all.”
He added that he won’t let guests drink mint juleps at Kentucky Derby viewing parties. Instead, he set up self-service stations and provided guests with a quick primer on how to make their drinks and how to adjust them to suit their sweet, boozy, or mint preferences. However, there are some key ingredients to a Mint His Julep, and some mistakes to avoid when making the drink.
Always use a straw for mint juleps
“Always drink Julip through a straw,” says Morris. He added that anyone who drinks it from a glass has “lost it.” However, not all straws are good. You should use a thin cocktail straw so that you can get a small amount of liquid at a time. That way, you’ll also be drinking in a piece of history. “My research shows that drinking through a straw was invented for the mint julep,” Morris says.
Do not use anything in place of crushed ice
“Crushed ice is also essential,” says Morris. “Mints. He cringes when he sees people putting ice in their juleps. Don’t do that.” Morris says pellets made in the refrigerator’s ice maker also work. Alternatively, you can buy crushed ice or make it the old-fashioned way by crushing cubes or blocks of ice with a mallet.
Pay attention to the order of operations
Similar to algebra, the order in which you perform mint julep creation operations is important. “First, add the sweetener to the bottom of the cup,” says Morris. “Then add the mint and about two-thirds of the cup of crushed ice. Then add the Woodford Reserve. [bourbon]
. Once the drink has settled, pour in more ice. So it’s a multi-layered approach, which also helps boost the effectiveness of the drink. ”
Experiment with sweetness and mint levels
The variation that Morris celebrates in Mint Julep is most noticeable when it comes to sweetness level and mint. If you want more mint, mix it up. If you just want to enjoy the aroma, rub the leaves against the rim of the glass. You can also try different types of mint, such as lemon mint or chocolate mint. The same goes for the amount and type of sweetener you use. “I like to try honey simple syrup and sorghum simple syrup,” he says.
Use good quality bourbon
Experienced drinkers already know that high-quality bourbon is important. “Some people say, ‘If you put it in a mixed drink,’ it doesn’t matter. ‘No! You have to use the best one,'” says Morris. “Taste the bourbon. It’s a bourbon drink, and if you taste that bourbon and it’s not good bourbon, why bother?”
