Mark Bittmans Mint Julep Food

MINT JULEP

Steps:

• Make the mint syrup: Bring the sugar and 1 cup water to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat and add the mint sprigs, pressing with a wooden spoon to submerge them. Let cool to room temperature, then remove the mint with a slotted spoon and discard. Refrigerate the syrup until chilled, at least 1 hour. (You will have about 1 1/2 cups syrup; cover and refrigerate up to 2 weeks.)
• Make the drink: Put the mint leaves and 1 ounce of the mint syrup in a small glass or julep cup. Muddle with the handle of a wooden spoon until the leaves start to break apart. Stir in the bourbon. Fill the glass with crushed ice. Garnish with a mint sprig.

MARK BITTMAN'S MINT JULEP

Steps:

• Muddle mint leaves and the simple syrup in a glass, then add the ice and whiskey. Garnish: lots of fresh mint.

MINT JULEPS

Steps:

• Bring 2 cups fresh mint and 1 1/2 cups each sugar and water to a simmer in a saucepan, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat and let steep 1 hour; strain and chill. Combine 3 cups bourbon with 1 to 1 1/2 cups of the mint syrup. Divide among 6 glasses filled with crushed ice; garnish with mint sprigs.

MINT JULEP

Steps:

• Shake the bourbon, mint leaves and sugar syrup with ice and strain into a highball glass or julep tin filled with crushed ice. Churn gently with a long-handled spoon and top with more crushed ice. Garnish and serve.

MINT JULEPS

Steps:

• Combine water, sugar and chopped mint leaves in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat until the sugar is completely dissolved. Allow syrup to cool, approximately 1 hour. Pour syrup through a strainer to remove mint leaves
• Fill eight cups or frozen goblets with crushed ice and pour 4 ounces of bourbon and 1/4 cup mint syrup in each. (Proportions can be adjusted depending on each person's sweet tooth). Top each cup with a mint sprig and a straw. Trim straws to just barely protrude from the top of the cups. Serve juleps on a silver platter.