Mint Julep Jelly 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.

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.

THE PERFECT MINT JULEP

Steps:

• To prepare mint extract, remove about 40 small mint leaves. Wash and place in a small bowl. Cover with 3 ounces bourbon. Allow the leaves to soak for 15 minutes. Then gather the leaves in paper toweling. Thoroughly wring the mint over the bowl of whisky. Dip the bundle again and repeat the process several times.
• To prepare simple syrup, mix 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of distilled water in a small saucepan. Heat to dissolve sugar. Stir constantly so the sugar does not burn. Set aside to cool.
• To prepare mint julep mixture, pour 3 1/2 cups of bourbon into a large glass bowl or glass pitcher. Add 1 cup of the simple syrup to the bourbon.
• Now begin adding the mint extract 1 tablespoon at a time to the julep mixture. Each batch of mint extract is different, so you must taste and smell after each tablespoon is added. You are looking for a soft mint aroma and taste-generally about 3 tablespoons. When you think it's right, pour the whole mixture back into the empty liter bottle and refrigerate it for at least 24 hours to "marry" the flavors.
• To serve the julep, fill each glass (preferably a silver mint julep cup) 1/2 full with shaved ice. Insert a spring of mint and then pack in more ice to about 1-inch over the top of the cup. Then, insert a straw that has been cut to 1-inch above the top of the cup so the nose is forced close to the mint when sipping the julep.
• When frost forms on the cup, pour the refrigerated julep mixture over the ice and add a sprinkle of powdered sugar to the top of the ice. Serve immediately.

MINT JULEP JELLY

Steps:

• Combine bourbon, water, and sugar in double boiler over medium heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; add Certo. Pour into sterilized jars. Add mint sprig to each jar and seal.

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.

MINT JULEP

Steps:

• Put the mint, sugar, and a touch of the bourbon in a chilled silver cup or glass mug. Muddle the leaves with the sugar by pressing them with a pestle or a wooden spoon until fragrant and the sugar dissolves. Add the ice and pour in the remaining bourbon, and stir to combine. Top the julep off with the club soda. Garnish with the mint sprig and serve.

MINT JULEP JELLY SHOTS

Steps:

• Put a medium bowl in the freezer to chill.
• Sprinkle the gelatin evenly over 1 cup cold water in a medium saucepan. Let sit until the gelatin softens, about 5 minutes. Stir the mixture, and add the mint leaves and granulated sugar. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring gently, until the sugar and gelatin are dissolved completely, about 5 minutes (don't let the mixture come to a boil). Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a medium bowl placed over an ice bath, pressing the mint with the back of a spoon to extract all the juices. Stir in the bourbon, and refrigerate, stirring occasionally, until the gelatin begins to thicken, about 15 minutes.
• Place sixteen 1-ounce disposable plastic or paper cups on a small rimmed sheet pan. Put 1 medium mint leaf into each glass. Divide the gelatin mixture evenly among the glasses, totally submerging the mint leaves (they will float to the top). Refrigerate the shots until completely set, about 3 hours. (These can be done a day ahead.)
• Pour the cream and confectioners' sugar into the chilled bowl. Beat the mixture with a large whisk until medium peaks form. Gently fold in the liqueur with a rubber spatula. (This step can be done a day ahead; refrigerate the whipped cream in an airtight container.) Serve the shots cold, topped with whipped cream.

MINT JULEP

Steps:

• Place the mint leaves in the bottom of an old-fashioned glass and top with the sugar. Muddle these together until the leaves begin to break down. Add a splash of seltzer water, fill the glass 3/4 full with crushed ice, and add the bourbon. Top with another splash of seltzer, stir, and garnish with a sprig of mint. Serve immediately.

TRADITIONAL MINT JULEP

Steps:

• To make the mint simple syrup, add the water and the sugar to a small saucepan and boil for 1 to 2 minutes stirring until sugar is dissolved. Muddle mint slightly to release natural oils, stir it into the syrup mixture. Set aside to cool for about 10 minutes.
• Fill an 8-oz glass with crushed ice. Pour in the whisky and give it a good stir. Then top with the mint syrup and a few sprigs of fresh mint.
• Enjoy slowly (and responsibly).

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 JULEP PUNCH

Steps:

• Combine the jelly and 2 cups water in a saucepan and heat, stirring, over low heat until the jelly melts.
• Let cool.
• Add the bourbon, juices and 2 cups water and chill in the refrigerator.
• To serve, pour the juice mixture over ice in a punch bowl.
• Slowly pour in 7-Up, stirring gently.
• Garnish with lime slices and fresh mint leaves, if desired.