The Official OT cocktail thread
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.
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.
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
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!
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!
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
I had Mint Juleps last year (yes - plural) but got mine straight from the Early Times pre-made Mint Julep in-a-bottle.
VI
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.
<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.
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
You threw them out?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.
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
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.
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
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.
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.
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
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.
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
welcomeKTinTX 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!
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
![Embarassed :oops:](./images/smilies/icon_redface.gif)
yep..it's the toxic concoction you're thinking
"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.
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
oh yes that is the one that did me in! moving on ......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.
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)