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Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 12:07 pm
by liamsaunt
OK, STOOOPID question. Please help.

I was going to make mint juleps tomorrow for the Kentucky Derby. Now, I have never made or even tasted one before. Do you have to use a particular kind of bourbon? I've only used bourbon in cooking, never in a drink. Do they have different flavors of bourbon--levels of oakiness or whatever? I have some knob creek bourbon in my liquor cabinet. Will that work?

Feel free to laugh at me.

Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 12:17 pm
by mbw1024
Our bourbon friends from Kentucky are on island! Maybe Kygirl will see this though.

I like Maker's Mark but I'm sure Knob Creek is fine. Never made or had a julep so I'm not sure if one bourbon is preferred over the other.

Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 12:28 pm
by vi lover
Bourbon is much like wine - each has it's own unique flavor.

I moved to Kentucky 11 years ago and had never been a bourbon fan before. Now - that's my sippin' drink.

My personal ranking:
1. Woodford Reserve
2. Blanton's
3. Eagle Rare
4. Elijah Craig
5. Four Roses

Makers Mark is VERY popular, but has a "bitey" aftertaste to me that the ones above do not have. Like I said - it's all a personal taste just like wine.

For a mint julep, use ANY bourbon because the simple syrup and mint is going to cover any imperfections anyway - no need to use expensive bourbon in a "concoction" drink.

Have Fun!

Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 2:37 pm
by liamsaunt
Thank you! I will try making them with the knob creek. If it tastes good I'll put up a picture.

Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 3:03 pm
by vi lover
Please do - absolutely - post your reaction to this drink. It's one that you either LOVE or HATE. Not much in between. I hope you really enjoy it because it's a pain in the butt to make (of course you're a mojito maker and it's no tougher than that).

I had Mint Juleps last year (yes - plural) but got mine straight from the Early Times pre-made Mint Julep in-a-bottle.

VI

Posted: Sun May 03, 2009 9:38 am
by liamsaunt
So, here are the mint juleps:


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3495151699/" title="5-2 mint julep by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3544/349 ... 5bf6be.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="5-2 mint julep"></a>


I hated them! John hated them too. I ended up throwing them out. I guess I am not a bourbon person, except for cooking.

Posted: Sun May 03, 2009 9:42 am
by mbw1024
well they look pretty!

Posted: Sun May 03, 2009 2:01 pm
by pjayer
liamsaunt wrote:So, here are the mint juleps:


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3495151699/" title="5-2 mint julep by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3544/349 ... 5bf6be.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="5-2 mint julep"></a>


I hated them! John hated them too. I ended up throwing them out. I guess I am not a bourbon person, except for cooking.
You threw them out? :shock: Oh, the humanity!!!! I didn't get even one yesterday. Whine...whine...whine. :lol:

Bourbon is probably an acquired taste. If you try them again, reduce the bourbon and increase the simple syrup. That might help some. They do look very pretty and festive, though. :)

Posted: Sun May 03, 2009 2:15 pm
by vi lover
They do look AWESOME! Sorry you didn't like them - I was afraid of that. Bourbon is definitely an acquired taste. I had just one yesterday as they loaded the horses into the gate (it was the last little bit in my pre-made Julep bottle).

VI

Posted: Sun May 03, 2009 2:40 pm
by flip-flop
Mint Juleps LOOK great and taste like well ... not great. I was very disappointed by my first and it was made by a die hard derby fan, so it was as it was supposed to be. Just EWWWW. I have thought about trying it with Makers Mark since I do like Makers Mark and pretty much hate all other bourbon.

Posted: Sun May 03, 2009 7:08 pm
by liamsaunt
I did water down the bourbon. I just think I don't like the flavor. I knew I was in trouble when I put my finger in the container I was using to muddle the mint, and it felt like it was giving my finger frostbite. :shock:

My Dad loves bourbon, and he and my Mom came over to watch the race with us. I tried to give him the drink, but he hated it too. So, either I made the drink wrong, or we just don't like mint juleps.

Here are the measurements I used for two drinks:

lots of crushed ice--two full trays--enough to fill glasses all the way to the top
2 tsp. superfine sugar, muddled with..
4 tsp. water
12 mint leaves

add 4 oz. bourbon

divide evenly, top with more water, stir, garnish with mint.


I was really surprised how much I hated this drink because 1. I like mint and 2. I hate overly sweet drinks. But, I could NOT drink this.

Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 12:01 am
by KTinTX
Count me as a non-Julep drinker as well! I like bourbon, but just don't care for the julep taste.

I recently found this forum and I'm having a bit of trouble typing as I'm trying my first "Stripper" coctail I must say it is mighty tasty and I'm wishing my wife liked the flavor of cocunut!

Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 7:50 am
by mbw1024
KTinTX wrote:Count me as a non-Julep drinker as well! I like bourbon, but just don't care for the julep taste.

I recently found this forum and I'm having a bit of trouble typing as I'm trying my first "Stripper" coctail I must say it is mighty tasty and I'm wishing my wife liked the flavor of cocunut!
welcome :) what is the stripper drink again? is that Pia's creation with the cranberry juice? oy vey! :oops:

yep..it's the toxic concoction you're thinking

Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 5:11 pm
by KTinTX
"The Stripper Drink"
equal parts:
cranberry juice
pineapple juice
Captain Morgan
Cruzan coconut rum

You can even pick the size of your 'parts'.

I used 1.5 oz of each and on the rocks it fit nicely in a rocks glass.

Re: yep..it's the toxic concoction you're thinking

Posted: Wed May 06, 2009 5:52 pm
by mbw1024
KTinTX wrote:"The Stripper Drink"
equal parts:
cranberry juice
pineapple juice
Captain Morgan
Cruzan coconut rum

You can even pick the size of your 'parts'.

I used 1.5 oz of each and on the rocks it fit nicely in a rocks glass.
oh yes that is the one that did me in! moving on ...... :)