Previously Posted on May 1, 2010
It is the first Saturday in May: Kentucky Derby Day. I have been watching the Kentucky Derby annually since 1968. It’s a family holiday where I come from. Normally I throw a party or attend a party on Derby Day.
We aren’t having a big blowout for the Kentucky Derby this year, although I emailed 20 people and then told Grackle and Kingfisher about it. They sat quietly on the couch with me, surveying the dust and clutter.
“Um, why didn’t you discuss this with us, before you invited everybody?” they asked, in an uncharteristic unison. Turns out they each have other activities scheduled.
“Oh, well, I can un-invite everybody.” I said, meekly. Kingfisher suggested we have a Preakness Party. I returned to my computer and sent out another blast.
We’ll still watch the Derby. Here is the recipe for Mint Juleps. I already made the simple syrup on Wednesday and have plenty of mint. I’ve got to go get the crushed ice.
The Simple Syrup — {make this on the Wednesday before Derby Day.}
Boil for 5 minutes 1 part water to 2 parts sugar. Add mint leaves. Let it sit for three days.
I let it sit in the refigerator. You want to put it into a glass jar when you are letting it sit, something that you will use when you are preparing the Mint Juleps later in the week. (The syrup is sticky and will get stickier as the week goes by.)
We keep a couple of empty, clean, wide-mouth glass jars with their lids, in the back of the top cabinet all year for this purpose.
“The Mint Julep Recipe
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups water
- Sprigs of fresh mint
- Crushed ice
- Kentucky Whisky
- Silver Julep Cups
[On Wednesday before the Race,] Make simple syrup by boiling sugar and water together for five minutes. Cool and place in a covered container with six or eight sprigs of fresh mint, then refrigerate overnight. Make one julep at a time by filling a julep cup with crushed ice, adding one tablespoon mint syrup and two ounces of Kentucky Whisky(*). Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the outside of the cup. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.”
One per guest.
What can you use for Silver Julep Cups? One member of my family HAS a set of Silver Julep Cups which he fairly inherited from another member of my family. I use a set of Kentucky Derby Mint Julep glasses which have come from previous Derbys, or from yard sales, or you may order them on-line.
We also make Sun Tea for our friends who prefer it to Whisky. We have to locate the large glass jar and about 10 tea bags. The jar holds a gallon of water. We put the tea bags into the water and put it outside in the sun. Fetch it a few hours later , extract the tea bags and put it into the refrigerator. Serve with mint sprigs and the Simple Syrup.
At the Derby, all the ladies wear pretty dresses and hats, so, for my party the ladies are invited to wear fancy hats.
Just before the race, we sing:
MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME
By Stephen Foster
The sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home,
Tis summer, the people are gay;
The corn-top’s ripe and the meadow’s in the bloom
While the birds make music all the day.
The young folks roll on the little cabin floor
All merry, all happy and bright;
By’n by hard times comes a knocking at the door
Then my old Kentucky home, Good-night!
Weep no more my lady. Oh! Weep no more today!
We will sing one song for my old Kentucky home
For the old Kentucky home, far away.
I weep!
(*) SInce I posted this, I have learned that Kentucky Whisky is spelled without an “e.”
The Creative Express 