Cocktails in the City Masterclass Recipes - Maker's Julep

During our tailored masterclasses, you may have been acquainted with this star of the Kentucky Derby and member of cocktail royalty. Read on for a bit of info about the history and origins of this famous beverage, some info about Maker’s Mark bourbon, and a comprehensive how-to guide to making it at home.

The mint julep originated in the southern US during the 18^th century. The term ‘julep’ is generally used to describe a sweet drink, particularly one used as a vehicle for medicine. The word itself derives from the Spanish-Arabic ‘julepe’ or گلاب (Golâb), meaning ‘rosewater’.

This libation has been promoted by Churchill Downs, in association with the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks horse races since 1938. Each year over 120,000 are sold over a two-day period.

Maker’s Mark is a traditional Kentucky bourbon, except it’s made with soft red winter wheat, instead of the usual rye, for a full-flavoured bourbon that’s never bitter or hot.

To ensure consistency, they rotate every barrel by hand and age their bourbon to taste, not time. Each and every bottle is still hand-dipped in their signature red wax at their distillery. Perfect for most whisky-based beverages, or neat with a single cube of ice.

Ingredients:

– 50ml Maker’s Mark

– 12.5ml Sugar Syrup (get creative!)

– 6-10 Mint leaves.

Method:

1. This serve is so simple, it’s almost criminal. Firstly, simply get all your ingredients into a julep tin.

2. Muddle them all together with a bar spoon or other long instrument.

3. Cap the drink to the brim with crushed ice.

4. Garnish some mint, and pop in a straw. Drink and enjoy.

Sugar Syrup Innovation:

Too easy? Give your julep a dazzling twist and make the bourbon sing by getting creative with your sugar syrup element. We believe this is a fundamental step in every budding mixologists’ education – trial and error is key. If your stuck for ideas, here’s a few examples of what we had on the day to get those creative juices flowing:

Strawberry & cardamom syrup | Grapefruit, sea salt & black pepper syrup | Pineapple & rosemary syrup | Rose hip & raspberry syrup | Shiso & Kumquat syrup