Today is a big day for sports. Horse lovers are deciding which hat to wear for the Kentucky Derby, and tough guys are spending the day figuring out how to watch the Mayweather v. Pacquiao fight without paying for it. Those who don’t hold stock in either event are just happy that they have two excuses to drink today. For those go-getters we have a few special drinks on deck. Enjoy:
Traditional Mint Julep: per the official Kentucky Derby website, doesn’t get more legit than that.
Ingredients:
2 cups Sugar
2 cups Water
Fresh Mint
Crushed Ice
Kentucky Bourbon
Silver Julep Cups
Make simple syrup by boiling sugar and water together for 5 minutes. Cool and place in the fridge over night with a covered container and fresh mint. Make one julep at a time by filling the cup with crushed ice, adding a tbsp. of mint syrup and two ounces of Kentucky Bourbon. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the cup. Garnish with a sprig of mint.
Pacquiao’s Punch:
This is a staple in Enzo Lim’s New York bar. No better day to stir up a pitcher.
Ingredients:
Ice
1 ½ oz. Aged Rum
½ oz. Lemon Juice
½ oz Pineapple Juice
½ oz. Ginger Syrup
Absinthe – for rinsing
Pieces of Ginger – for garnish
To make Ginger Syrup, use 4 cups of chopped ginger and 4 cups of granulated sugar. Set ginger and 4 cups of water in a pot over high heat until it boils. Then reduce heat and let simmer for 5 minutes. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Let sit, covered for up to 3 hours.
In a cocktail shaker combine all ingredients. Shake and strain into an absinthe-rinsed glass with fresh ice and garnish.