How To Make A Whole Pitcher Of Mint Juleps Food

CHEF

Steps:

• 1 In a small saucepan combine sugar and water and simmer over medium heat, or until sugar is completely dissolved. 2 Remove from heat and submerge half of the mint into the sugar water. Let stand at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight. 3 When ready, strain mixture over a large pitcher, stir together mint simple syrup and bourbon adding in remaining mint. Refrigerate until ready to serve. 4 Pack cups with crushed ice and pour 4 ounces mint julep over the top of each cup. 5 Garnish with a mint sprig and a straw.

MINT JULEPS

Steps:

• Make mint syrup using 2 cups each sugar and water and 3 bunches mint (see recipe, below). Combine the syrup with 1 1/2 cups bourbon in a pitcher. Refrigerate up to 8 hours. Pour into julep cups packed with crushed ice. Garnish each with a mint sprig and serve with a straw.

HOW TO MAKE A WHOLE PITCHER OF MINT JULEPS

Steps:

• Make mint simple syrup: Bring the water and sugar to a boil in a small saucepan. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Submerge 1 cup tightly packed mint leaves in the liquid. Remove the pan from the heat, cover, and infuse for 1 hour. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean, lidded jar. Refrigerate if not using immediately.
• Muddle the mint and mix the cocktail: Drop 1/4 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves into the bottom of a pitcher. Muddle using a wooden spoon to release the mint's essential oils by pressing down and slightly twisting your utensil. The mint should appear bruised but not torn or blackened. Stir in the bourbon and mint simple syrup.
• Crush the ice: Wrap ice cubes in a clean tea towel. Pound with a rolling pin or meat mallet to crush the ice.
• Serve: Scoop enough ice into individual julep cups or Old Fashioned glasses until they are very full. Pour in 3 ounces of the bourbon and mint syrup mixture. Top with a splash of sparkling water. Garnish with a sprig of mint and a dusting of powdered sugar, if desired

MINT JULEP PARTY PITCHER

Steps:

• Combine the sugar and 2 cups water in a saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Remove from the heat and submerge 3 bunches of mint. Let stand at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight. Strain.
• Stir together the mint simple syrup (you should have 2 1/2 cups) and bourbon in a pitcher. Add a couple of sprigs of mint for garnish. Refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 8 hours.
• Pack 8 mint julep cups with crushed ice. Pour 4 ounces of the mint julep mixture into each; garnish with a mint sprig and serve with a straw. When the outside of the cup has frosted over, you are ready to enjoy.