Nimbu Pani Mint Julep Food

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.

NIMBU PANI (LIMEADE)

Steps:

• Peel the limes: Slice off the tops and bottoms then, working with one at a time, place each one vertically on a cutting board, setting it on one flat, cut side. Next, slice off the skin and pith. Repeat with remaining limes.
• Put peeled limes, ice cubes, kala namak, fine sea salt and sugar, if using, in a blender, along with 3 cups of water. Blend on high until the ice is crushed and the nimbu pani is frothy.
• Strain, then serve in a glass with a sprig of mint, if you like.

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.

SOUTHERN BELLE MINT JULEP

Steps:

• Muddle the mint leaves with the bourbon, maple syrup and jalapeno syrup in a tall pint glass or cocktail shaker.
• Fill a mint julep glass with crushed ice. Top the glass or shaker with a cocktail strainer, then pour the bourbon mixture over the ice and top with the lemon-lime soda. Slap the mint sprig to release the oils and add it. Add the jalapeno slices directly to the ice and serve.

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.