Summer Drinks Inspired By The Classic Mint Julep
The Julep season is upon us! What we mean is that the weather is beginning to soar, and our taste buds are beginning to roar for something icy cool and delicious a.k.a. the Mint Julep!
Traditionally, the Mint Julep is a classic cocktail made of whisky, sugar syrup, mint and a lot of ice. However, over time there have been various interpretations of this summer drink. Although the flavours of these drinks differ slightly, they all take inspiration from the classic julep and retain the minty profile and cooling notes, making them perfect as a summer cocktail.
Whisky Smash
The Whisky Smash is a citrus-y take on the original mint julep.
Ingredients
30ml Johnnie Walker Black Label
10ml Fresh Lemon Juice
5ml Sugar Syrup
4 Fresh Mint Leaves
1 Sprig Fresh Mint for garnish
Ice
Method
Pour the Johnnie Walker Black Label, lemon juice and sugar syrup in a shaker.
Add fresh mint and ice cubes and give it a good shake.
Pour into a glass and garnish.
Image Credit: The Mix
Peach Julep
This recipe brings to the mix, a semi-tart background thanks to the peach, which goes well with the fresh minty flavours of the original julep.
Ingredients
75ml Johnnie Walker Black Label Whisky
½ Peach (peeled, pitted and diced)
30ml peach liqueur
8 fresh mint sprigs
2 dashes of peach bitters
Ice
Method
Muddle the diced peach and 7 mint sprigs in a cocktail shaker
Add the Johnnie Walker Black Label whisky, peach liqueur and bitters and shake.
Strain into a glass with ice and garnish with the remaining mint sprig.
Image Credit: Creative Culinary
Vodka Grapefruit Julep
The original mint julep is a whisky cocktail, but you can give it a vodka-esque twist too. This smooth and frozen drink is perfect for an elegant brunch party.
Ingredients
45ml Smirnoff No.21 Vodka
15ml Fresh Lime Juice
20ml Pink Grapefruit Juice
10ml Pomegranate Syrup
10ml Honey Syrup
8 Mint Leaves
Ice
Mint Sprig for garnish
Method
Combine all the ingredients, except the honey syrup in a shaker.
Stir in the honey syrup slowly, then add ice and shake.
Strain into a julep cup filled with crush ice.
Garnish with a sprig of mint.
Minty Gin Julep
Other than whisky, gin was a popular base for the julep back in the 19th century. Give this throwback recipe a shot to try something different.
Ingredients
60ml Tanqueray No.10 Gin
Seltzer
1 1/2tsp sugar
12 Fresh Mint Leaves
Crushed Ice
Method
Muddle the mint with sugar in the julep cup.
Add gin and stir till it all dissolves.
Add ice to the glass to fill three quarters and then top it off with seltzer.
Stir and top it off with more ice.
Garnish with mint sprig and serve.
How’s that for adding a chill factor to your summers?
*Drink Responsibly!
