Hey there booze fans. Two weeks ago we experienced a very fun day in drink-making, of which I think we need to take some advantage.

If you’re a Dartmouth student, you’re probably aware that on May 1st, there was a big party called Derby (woot woot Derby). In case you don’t understand why that party was held on the first Saturday of May, and why people showed up dressed fresh to death in the preppiest spring clothes they could find (oh sundresses, where have you been), it’s because the holiest of horse races – the Kentucky Derby – ran that day.

The Kentucky Derby is a big event because it’s the highest profile horse race of the year. That’s cool in and of itself, especially if you like to gamble from time to time. But what I like most about the Kentucky Derby are sundresses and bourbon. Those (either one or both) probably sound like something you can get excited about, too. If that’s the case, then raise a glass to a drink that makes the day complete.

So let’s get down to business. At the Kentucky Derby, they don’t drink just any old bourbon drink. Nay – they drink one of the finest, if one of the strongest, bourbon drinks you can make: the Mint Julep. Most people have heard of the Julep, and maybe you’ve seen the beautiful silver cups they come in. Few, I’d bet, have actually tasted its fresh, spicy goodness. No problem – we'll fix that, and next year you'll be all set for a rowdy day of sundress wearing, or sundress chasing. To the drink…

A mint julep is a simple, strong – and when made correctly – delicious cocktail. To make it, you’ll need:

Leaves from 3-4 mint sprigs (regular spearmint)
2½ - 3 oz Bourbon (Maker’s Mark preferred)
½ oz simple syrup (solution of equal parts sugar and water)
Crushed ice
A mint julep cup or other 10-12oz serving glass 

Looking at the ingredients, it’s pretty easy to see what this drink is all about: mint to spice things up, bourbon to booze you up, a little simple syrup to sweeten it up, and some ice to cool you down. Perfect for a day spent socializing in the sun. Putting it all together can be pretty quick and easy if you’re not worried about how it looks, or you can be a bit more meticulous if you want to impress.

The quick and dirty:

Add ½ oz simple syrup
Add ~10 mint leaves
Muddle the leaves
Add ~3oz bourbon
Fill with crushed ice, give it a stir
Top with mint garnish and drop in a straw

The preferred method:

Take your cup or glass (chilled if you’d like) and add the simple syrup. To be truly fancy, you can add about 2 teaspoons of superfine sugar and a splash of soda water, making the simple syrup in the glass (add, then give it a swirl or two). Next, pluck 10-12 mint leaves, avoiding the tops of the sprigs (stem and leaves) if you can – we’ll save these for the garnish. Drop your mint into the cup and gently muddle or press it into the bottom of the cup, working it into the sugar solution until the leaves are a dark green. Careful: try not to rip the leaves if you can avoid it. Time for the booze: add your bourbon, about 3 ounces (but you can do a little more or less to taste). Any bourbon will do, although a sweet bourbon (one made without rye, e.g. Maker’s Mark) makes a particularly good Julep. Now, add your ice to just about fill the cup – we’re talking several ounces (4-6), and here it really pays off to crush your ice (you can crush it in the bag or in a large shaker with just about anything), as that’ll cool the drink really well. This drink is mostly bourbon, so it’s also nice to have a good amount of ice to dilute the drink a bit. Now give it a quick stir to let some of the ice integrate with the rest of the drink. Finally, garnish it with the tops of the mint sprigs that you saved from before: lay these flat across your palm and give them a little slap to break some of the cells and release that fresh mint fragrance. Place them around the rim of the cup, providing that rich aroma for the nose of your drink. Throw in a straw and you’re all ready to go. Relax, refresh, and as always: enjoy.

If you don't want to wait until next year's Kentucky Derby to get your hands dirty with a mint julep, the third and final race of the Triple Crown - the Belmont Stakes - runs on Saturday, June 5th. Drink up!

Cheers.