Skip to main content

Weekend Recipe: Derby Day Mint Juleps

Support Provided By
julep

The Kentucky Derby doesn't reach the same level of holiday-ness in L.A. as it does in the southeast U.S., but it's still a good excuse for a gathering. This weekend is heavy on the Cinco de Mayo celebrations, but if you're looking for a break from tequila and beer, try a mint julep, made with bourbon (and sometimes rye). We snagged these three variations from Freddy Smalls, where Maker's Mark is usually used for juleps. Enjoy!

The Derby-Style Original:
2oz Bourbon
1oz simple syrup
5-8 mint leaves (slapped or gently bruised, never muddled)
Crushed Ice
1 Mint Sprig
Assemble in julep cup (old-fashioned glass will do in a pinch) bourbon, simple syrup, and mint. Add ice. Garnish with mint sprig.

Sip slowly, all afternoon

The Blackberry Julep:
2oz Bourbon
1oz simple syrup
4 ripe blackberries
5-8 mint leaves (slapped or gently bruised, never muddled)
Crushed Ice
1 mint sprig and a blackberry

Muddle blackberries in julep cup. Add bourbon, simple syrup, mint and some ice. Stir quickly to combine. Top with ice. Add mint sprig and top with black berry.

The Maple Julep:
2oz Bourbon or Rye
3/4oz maple syrup
1/4oz all-spice liqueur
5-8 mint leaves (slapped or gently bruised, never muddled)
Crushed Ice
1 Mint Sprig and a cinnamon stick

Combine bourbon or rye, maple syrup, all-spice liqueur, mint and some ice in julep cup. Stir to combine. Top with ice. Garnish with mint sprig and grate cinnamon stick over top.

[Photo by Flickr user thp365]

Support Provided By
Read More
A black and white photo of an adult dressed as the easter bunny with a giant costumed head, holding a little girl on their left who gives it a kiss on the cheek and, with his right arm, holding a little boy who brings his hands to his eyes as though wiping away tears.

Behold the Bunnies and Bonnets of L.A.'s Past Easter Celebrations

The onset of the spring season heralds the arrival of fragrant flowers in bloom — and all the critters that enjoy them, including the Easter bunny and families who anticipate his arrival with egg hunts, parades and questionable fashion choices.
A black and white image of an elephant holding a broom with its trunk. A man is seen near the elephant, walking towards the animal.

Lions and Tigers and Cameras! How the Movies Gave Los Angeles a Zoo

The early days of the movies in Los Angeles inadvertently allowed visitors to experience the largest collection of animals in the western United States. When animals weren't appearing in a movie, they were rented out to other film companies, performed for studio visitors, or in the case of filmmaker William Selig's collection — an opportunity to create one of Los Angeles' first zoos.
A vertical, black and white portrait of a blonde woman wearing a sparkly four-leaf clover costume as she holds her arms out and extends a leg as though in a curtsy.

Irish for a Day: L.A.'s History of 'Going Green' on St. Patrick's Day

Whether it was a parade, dance, tea party, home celebration or just enjoying a good ol' wee dram of whisky, here's a photo essay of how Los Angeles donned its green apparel to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and embrace the luck o' the Irish over the years.