Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby have fallen on the same day! So let’s shake up the official drink of the Kentucky derby (The Mint Julep) by adding a little Mexican flavour in the form of Herradura Tequila. You might think I am crazy, but recently a good friend of mine, Valerie Bradshaw sent me her recipe for the Mint Julep Smash-up which was featured as part of the local coverage of the festivities surrounding the Kentucky Derby (see here: The Official Drink of The Kentucky Derby).
My version isn’t quite the same as Val’s, as I decided to stick to using the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby, Woodford Reserve. And, because her recipe called for chocolate bitters, I upped the ante and used Chocolate-Mint in my muddle as well. This means that it is not just the Herradura tequila that turns the flavour in a new direction, the chocolate mint and bitters add their own dimension as well.
If you want to try this at home, I would suggest going easy on both the tequila and the bitters the first time you make it. It certainly is easier to add a more and re-shake the serving, than it is to try to take some of the aggressive ingredients back.
When you get it right the cocktail is delicious!
The Choco-Mint Julep Shake-up
1 1/4 oz Woodford Reserve Double Oak Bourbon
3/8 oz Herradura Silver Tequila
3/8 oz Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice
Chocolate-Mint Leaves
1/2 oz Sugar Syrup (1:1 ratio)
dash Fees Bothers Chocolate Bitters
Ice
Sparkling Water
Mint Sprig (Mojito mint makes an attractive garnish)
Muddle Mint Leaves in a Mixing Glass with 1 oz of Bourbon
Strain into a Metal Shaker filled with Ice
Add the Tequila and Sugar Syrup
Shake until the outside of the Shaker begins to frost
Pour into your Serving Glass
Complete with Sparkling Water
Garnish with Lime and Mint Leaves
Enjoy Responsibly!
Note: If you are interested in more of my original cocktail recipes, please click this link (Cocktails and Recipes) for more of my mixed drink recipes!
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My thanks to Valerie Bradshaw for sending me the basic recipe a few days ago. My new review for the Herradura Silver Tequila published a few days ago (see here), and you can be sure I will add a review of the wonderful Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Bourbon in the coming weeks as well.
Chimo!
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