Derby Day Mint Juleps

• 1 bottle of Woodford’s Reserve Kentucky Bourbon
• 5-7 stems of mint leaves (2-4 ounces of mint)
• Simple Syrup (see below)
• Crushed ice 

     Remove the leaves from the mint stems and put into a mortar & pestle.  Lightly muddle the mint until it’s bruised, to release the oils within the mint leaves.  Open the bourbon and stuff your muddled leaves into the bourbon, and recap the bourbon.  Let the mint steep in the bourbon for at least 2 hours, to infuse the mint within the bourbon itself. 

     To make the SIMPLE SYRUP…. General rule is 50% water, to 50% sugar.  Heat over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, remove from heat and cool in the refrigerator.  Generally speaking for a bottle of bourbon you need approximately 4 cups of water, to 4 cups of sugar.   Make as much as you think you’ll need for that day.

     To make your julep, fill a glass approx 6-8 ounces with crushed ice half way up the glass.  Fill your glass 50% with the mint infused bourbon, 50% with the simple syrup. Top with one mint leave to give the aroma of mint, and stir. Enjoy!

And you're off!!  (To reference the Churchill Down experience)