Orange Mint Julep Food

ORANGE MINT JULEP

Steps:

• For orange syrup:
• Bring zest, sugar, and 1/2 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Let cool; cover and chill at least 2 hours. Strain syrup into a small jar or bowl.
• For cocktail:
• For each cocktail, muddle 1 piece of orange, a small handful mint sprigs, 1 ounce orange syrup, and a few dashes orange bitters in a double Old Fashioned glass or a julep cup. Add 2 ounces bourbon and stir to combine. Fill glass with crushed ice and garnish with more mint.

MINT JULEP

Steps:

• Place mint leaves, sugar and a splash of water into a silver julep cup or a 12-ounce Tom Collins glass. Muddle the mint, sugar, and water together with the tip of the handle of a wooden spoon. Fill the glass with shaved ice, add the bourbon, and stir until combined. Garnish with a lemon or orange slice, a cherry, and a few sprigs of fresh mint.

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.

WINE MINT JULEP

Steps:

• Add mint springs to boiling water and let stand five minutes. Strain and add to fruit juices. Cool.
• Just before serving, add red wine to mint/fruit juice mixture. Pour into glasses filled with ice.
• You may want to adjust the wine to mint/fruit juice to your tastes.

ORANGE-MINT DRINK

Steps:

• Combine water and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Stir until sugar dissolves. Turn off heat.
• Crush mint leaves in a large bowl with mallet or spoon. Add to saucepan. Add lemon juice, orange juice, lemon zest, and orange zest to saucepan. Stir to combine.
• Pass mixture through fine strainer, discard solids. Fill glasses with crushed ice and 3/4 full with strained mixture. Top with seltzer to cut sweetness (optional).

ORANGE JULEP

Steps:

• Make a simple syrup by combining the sugar and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat and simmer until the sugar dissolves.
• Remove from the heat and cool completely.
• In a large measuring cup or serving jug, mix together the simple syrup with the orange juice, mint and lime juice.
• Let sit for 5 minutes.
• Fill 4 tall glasses with ice.
• Pour ½ cup of the orange mix into each glass and top with ¼ cup of carbonated water.
• Garnish with orange slices and mint leaves.
• Serve immediately.