Enjoy A Sip of the South, Irish Style! The Irish Julep

There are many iconic items and people that come to mind when you think of the South.  Colonel Sanders, soul food, that Southern drawl, hospitality, the Kentucky Derby, and Mint Juleps.  A mint julep is a status symbol in the South of wealth and elegance.  The simple cocktail is traditionally concocted with bourbon, mint, powdered sugar and water.  Modern juleps can also feature a splash of club soda for a fizzy bite.  As delicious as that classic cocktail can be, I always find myself putting a spin on it, especially when I can find new ways to use my spirit of choice, Jameson Irish Whiskey.  Here's a sip of the South, Irish style!




The Irish Julep

-  about 4-5 Mint Leaves, chopped or muddled (plus extra leaves for garnish)
-  1 shot Jameson Irish Whiskey
-  1 Old Fashioned cocktail glass (holds about 10 fluid ounces)
-  Ice
-  Ginger Ale


Muddle the mint leaves at the bottom of the glass using a muddling tool to tear and bruise the mint (this releases the oils and flavor!).  If you don't have a muddler, chop or tear the leaves by hand, and rub them a bit between your fingers to release the essence of the leaves.  Fill the glass to the top with ice, pour in one shot of Jameson, and fill the rest of the glass with ginger ale.  Stir with a spoon or straw and garnish with a sprig of mint.  Simple!

My take on this beverage also eliminates a step with makes it easier to create.  The ginger ale provides the fizz that club soda would bring, and also sweetness, so no need for the powdered sugar.

Tips: No mint readily available?  You can always use a few drops of mint extract (NOT peppermint).  Just remember, a little bit goes a long way!


Sip on this refreshing treat and beat the heat with an Irish twist!

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