Mint Julep

My family says y'all. We're from the area that you can nicely call Appalachia but really just means down in the hills of Kentucky. I'm quite proud actually that I can say my roots are in the rural, strange Corbin, Kentucky (home of KFC) even though I never lived there and was actually born in New Jersey. Nonetheless, since Cincinnat is so close to Louisville (and a good chunk of Northern Kentucky is part of Cincinati metro area), I have a real tie to the derby. I'm missing my friend's annual derby party this year, an event we looked forward to every year. I'm unable to host a true Kentucky party for my Pennsylvania friends (I am the only one who cares about Derby Day) this year, but I will still craft myself a mint julep in honor of this big day in Kentucky. So tune in tomorrow to the race and sip this cocktail! (Yes, I own the authentic Mint Julep glassware.  I love these glasses.)

Don't have a crushed ice maker? I don't either (yet!). Take a paper towel or other soft towel and wrap your ice cubes in it. Hit with a hammer to crush well. You will need a lot more than 4 cubes, I totally misjudged.

Get the following things. Kentucky bourbon (I suggest Woodford Reserve or Maker's Mark), powdered sugar, water, mint leaves, and crushed ice.

Put 3 spoonfulls of powdered sugar and about 1/4 cup of water in your glass. Toss in about 5 mint leaves, and muddle this all together well until you can smell the mint scent.

Fill your glass to the top with crushed ice (mine is half full because it was the middle of the day on a Sunday, so hear me out, sometimes I can't actually DRINK these things I'm making because I have to clean the bathroom after this). Then, pour the bourbon over. Stir well until the outside of the glass is cold, almost frosty.

Top with a mint sprig and serve!