3.14.2018

Mint Julep – The History and How To Make It

The Mint Julep is one of those classic drinks you need to learn. Perfect on a hot day and impossible not to love.

The Mint Julep is one of those classics. Ice, fresh mint, bourbon and sugar. What more do you need?

I will start with the recipe and how to make it, after that we dig down on some of the history of this great drink. So if you want to taste it just use the recipe, if you want to learn more then keep reading.

Mint Julep - The History and How To Make It

Mint Julep Recipe

2 oz / 6 cl Bourbon
1 oz Simple Syrup, made using brown sugar
Fresh mint

crushed ice
even more mint

silver cup or glass
muddler

mint-julep-5

Many recipes call for sugar and water, that’s what goes into a simple syrup so use that instead. That way you will eliminate the risk of any sugar not being dissolved. I use a simple syrup in this recipe with brown sugar. Regular sugar works good too but I like the slightly molasses flavor you’ll get from the brown sugar. You decide.

Then it is all about adding loads of mint, plenty of ice and enjoy your day.

Add a few mint leaves and the bourbon and simple syrup. Muddle lightly to crush the mint leaves a little bit. Add crushed ice until the cup is half full. Stir for 10 seconds. Add ice to top off the glass. Stick in a few sprigs of fresh mint. Serve.

There needs to be plenty of mint added because you want that aroma to really hit you in the nose while sipping. Enjoy!

Mint Julep - The History and How To Make It

Tools to make a Mint Julep

You will need crushed ice. There are some ways to get good crushed ice. Either invest in an ice crusher or buy crushed ice-trays. You can also crush it using something hard like a pot and place ice inside a thick plastic bag or towel.

If you want to serve it in silver cups there are plenty to find, here is one that I like. But of course the drink will taste just as good in a regular glass.

Mint Julep - The History and How To Make It

History of The Mint Julep

The Mint Julep was popularized at the Kentucky Derby in 1938 when it was sold and marketed at the Churchill Downs Racetrack in Kentucky. Since then it has become a Kentucky Derby classic and each year over 100.00 are sold during the Kentucky Derby.

But the Mint Julep was a drink long before it got associated with the Kentucky Derby. The Mint Julep appears in literature as early as 1784 and 1803. By then it seems to have been used more for medicinal purposes instead of cooling you off on a hot day.

The word Julep most likely come from the Spanish Arabic word Julepe which means rosewater.

Like all classic drinks the old recipes comes with plenty of variation. If you look in the original edition of Bartenders Guide: How to Mix Drinks or The Bon-Vivant’s Companion there are five different types of Mint Juleps. If you ask for a Mint Julep today you will most likely get something close to my recipe but to just name a few other ingredients from the past there are whisky, claret, madeira, pineapple, peach brandy, cognac and gin.

Mint Julep - The History and How To Make It

The Silver Cup

Traditionally the Mint Julep is served in a silver cup. The silver cup have been a mark of wealth in the South for a long time and silver cups have been given out as prizes in Kentucky since the 1800’s. Since the Mint Julep contains so much ice the silver cup produces frost on the outside of the cup after a while. So the reason why it has been the standard serving glass for the Mint Julep is probably a combination of this and the Southern tradition.

Julep Drinks Today

Mint Juleps and other varieties is a small category of drinks on its own today. It’s not really clear what makes a Julep a Julep but most recipes you see in bars contain much alcohol, some herbs or berries and plenty of crushed ice.

Full Guide To A Horse’s Neck – A Classic Cocktail

Full Guide To A Horse's Neck - A Classic Cocktail

Today it is all about the Horse’s Neck. A classic cocktail that dates back to the late 1800’s, learn all about it in our Full Guide To A Horse’s Neck.



The Horse’s Neck is one of those classic cocktail. Like most classics it’s simple, delicious and comes with a history. I will let you know how to make what I think is perfect one but first let’s check out some history of this classic cocktail.


Full Guide To A Horse's Neck - A Classic Cocktail

When was the Horse’s Neck invented?

Like with many classic cocktails the history is a bit unclear. What I can say for certain is that from the beginning is was a non-alcoholic drink. I know that sounds scary but eventually it turned into what we love today.

The non-alcoholic version which is only ginger ale, lemon and ice dates back to the 1890’s. But luckily by the early 1910’s bartenders had figured out that if you add bourbon it will be better. This also turned the drink into a Horse’s Neck with a Kick or a Stiff Horse’s Neck.

Full Guide To A Horse's Neck - A Classic Cocktail

Since the original one didn’t contain any alcohol is was naturally phased out. The Horse’s Neck is referenced in a number or source from the late 1800’s. Both with and without alcohol. I do think it is safe to say that it was a drink you could get in the Eastern US with or without Bourbon. According to The Mansfield News it was a common drink in Atlantic City in 1900. The same article claims the drink was invented in a resort by a bartender who was about to lose his job. The drink turned out to rescue his job since it became so popular.

A few things go for all the versions of the drink. You will need plenty of ice, good ginger ale and a spiral of lemon zest as long as the glass.

Full Guide To A Horse's Neck - A Classic Cocktail

What goes into a Horse’s Neck?

Bourbon, ice, lemon zest and ginger ale. That is the main components in a Horse’s Neck. There should be plenty of ice and the lemon zest should be as tall as the glass and served as a spiral in between the ice cubes.

Some recipes call for an Old Fashioned glass but most will suggest a highball glass. I think the highball works best. More room for ice and since it’s not really a short drink I think a highball works better. It also makes more sense considering the lemon peel.

Full Guide To A Horse's Neck - A Classic Cocktail

Other varieties?

Like with all classic drinks there are varieties. Before we go into that I just want to say that the original recipe without Bourbon is a great non-alcoholic drink. So this is one of those drinks that is perfect to serve when not all your guest want to get the buzz.

Common varieties are Brandy instead of Bourbon, old fashioned glass instead of highball. A Kentucky Gentleman is the same drink but made with Maker’s Mark and Ale 8 One, a soft drink from Kentucky. In Canada you can get a Rye and Ginger which is also the same thing but then made with Canadian whisky.

Full Guide To A Horse's Neck - A Classic Cocktail

Naturally a simple order of Bourbon and Ginger Ale works fine in any bar, but it’s not a Horse’s Neck.

I use a few dashes of bitters in my version. This is also mentioned in many other recipes. For me it is essential so do use it. I made mine with a bitter I got in the US but most works. A classic Angostura works like magic.

So what do you think, time to make a Horse’s Neck?

Full Guide To A Horse's Neck - A Classic Cocktail

Horse’s Neck Recipe

2 shakes of bitters
1 oz / 3 cl Bourbon
2-3 oz / 6-9 cl Ginger Ale

Ice
Lemon zest

Highball glass

This one is easy to make, fill a highball glass with ice cubes. As big cubes as the glass can fit. Add a long strip of lemon peel. Add two shakes of bitters and then the Bourbon. Fill the glass with Ginger Ale. Enjoy!

Full Guide To A Horse's Neck - A Classic Cocktail

What is important about it?

The Bourbon and Ginger Ale is what matters here. Like with anything there is a big difference between different brands of both Bourbon and Ginger Ale. I’m not saying what type to use but try different brands and find your favorite.

The big ice cubes make the drink cold but won’t dilute it too fast. You should be able to drink it all without being left with a half full glass of water.

Full Guide To A Horse's Neck - A Classic Cocktail

Aperol Spritz Recipe, the perfect summer drink all through summer…

Get the recipe for the classic Aperol Spritz, the drink that will get you through the summer.

We are in the middle of the summer and it is the high season for drinks and especially the ones that goes great in the shade on a hot day. The Aperol Spritz is definitely one of those and it is very easy to make.

Aperol Spritz Recipe

3 parts Prosecco
2 parts Aperol
plenty of ice
a slice of orange or grapefruit and lime

aperol spritz recipe

This is my version, Aperol themselves suggest only orange slices and also that you add one part of soda but for that leaves the drink a bit too watered down. The ice will take care of that while you sip on it. Also usually a slice of orange is added but I prefer grapefruit and lime for a bit more acidity and the bitterness of the grapefruit adds a little something.

Use a big wineglass for the drink, first add the ice and slices of grape and lime, then the aperol and finish it off with the prosecco, start sippin straight away.

aperol spritz recipe

Homemade Applesauce – How to make your own!

 

Don’t you just love applesauce? Well then imagine getting some apples and making your very own, doesn’t that sound like a great thing? Trust me, it is and it is so easy to do, let’s make some homemade apple sauce!

Hey, I think I just caught your interest, that’s great! Now let’s talk apple sauce. This condiment is a classic for me and I always keep a jar in the fridge and love to use it on porridge, granola, overnight oats, and all that great-tasting and healthy stuff.

The great thing is that making your own is really simple and it so much nicer to have something you’ve made yourself or even with your own apples if you are lucky enough to have a tree in your garden. If not, maybe ask around, people with apple trees can usually spare a few for a friend.

About the recipe

In this recipe, I have kept things very basic and not used any preservatives. This was because I only made a small batch and once it’s cooked I use it every day, hopefully you will too. You can of course use preservatives if you want to make a bigger batch and want to store it for longer. Or you can pasteurize the jars in boiling water and thereby make it last longer without using any preservatives.

What kind of apples to use?

You can use any sort of apples, you might have to adjust the amount of sugar if the apples are very sweet or sour. Just make sure to remove seeds, bad spots, or any damaged parts. In many recipes, they say you have to peel the apples but if you make the sauce in a blender it is not necessary.

In my basic recipe for applesauce below, I have used the skins of the apples and it works great. It is also less time-consuming. Just remember that if you use the skin of red apples you will get red applesauce. Not necessarily a bad thing, it looks kind of cool and it will make your applesauce the most talked about, who wouldn’t want that?

How to make homemade Applesauce
apple

Can I add any other flavors?

You can add a ton of flavor to the applesauce, use things that you would normally pair with apples. Some ideas can be rosemary, vanilla, black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger.

Applesauce recipe

This is my basic recipe for applesauce, as mentioned I used bright apples with the skin on.

4,4 lbs / 2 kg apples, cut in chunks, seeds and damaged parts removed
0,8 cups / 2 dl water
2 tbsp ascorbic acid
2,2 lbs / 1 kg sugar

Add the apples and water to a pot and bring it to a boil. Let it simmer until the apples are soft. Mix the apples until they are smooth in a blender and then put back in the pot and add the sugar and ascorbic acid and bring it to a boil.

Then carefully pour the sauce into clean glass jars, but be careful. You don’t want to spill hot apple sauce on yourself, that sure is painful.

Close the lids and let the sauce cool off at room temperature at first, once it cooled down after a few hours you can chill it. It will keep at least for a week but almost certain for longer. If you choose to use preservatives or pasteurize the sauce it will keep much longer.

How to make homemade Applesauce

How to serve applesauce

You can serve the applesauce to porridge, cereal, and granola. It is also perfect for any roast. You can also add to glazes or sauces that you can use for barbecue. Mix it with barbecue sauce and brush ribs on the grill. But only your imagination is the limit.

How to make homemade Applesauce

 

10+ Bourbon Cocktails for Any Occasion

 Bourbon Apple Ginger Ale Cocktail Recipe - 10+ Bourbon Cocktails for Any Occasion

I sure hope you've come looking for bourbon cocktails because that's all that this post will be about. More exact 10+ Bourbon Cocktails that are great for any occasion. That means a few classics, classics with a twist, and even a hot and an ice-cold one. If you, just like me are into bourbon cocktail you've just found the right post. Let's get going!

Bourbon cocktails it is, but a few quick notes before you start shaking and stirring. All the recipes here come with a short recipe including instructions. For every bourbon cocktail, you will find a link. You already know how those work right? What's great about these links, in particular, is that if you hit the one for the drink you plan to make you'll find lots of more photos and some of the history and other tips about each drink. Don't feel like reading more than necessary? No problem! Just use the recipe right here. Lastly, before we start drinking (responsibly of course) 

Bourbon Cocktails

Now, let's dig in. Below you'll find all the recipes, try what you're in the mood for and I hope you like them as much as I do.

Mint Julep Recipe

2 oz / 6 cl Bourbon
1 oz Simple Syrup, made using brown sugar
Fresh mint

crushed ice
even more mint

silver cup or glass
muddler

10+ Bourbon Cocktails for Any Occasion

Many recipes call for sugar and water, that’s what goes into a simple syrup so use that instead. That way you will eliminate the risk of any sugar not being dissolved. I use simple syrup in this recipe with brown sugar. Regular sugar works well too but I like the slight molasses flavor you’ll get from the brown sugar. You decide.

Then it is all about adding loads of mint, plenty of ice, and enjoy your day.

Add a few mint leaves and the bourbon and simple syrup. Muddle lightly to crush the mint leaves a little bit. Add crushed ice until the cup is half full. Stir for 10 seconds. Add ice to top off the glass. Stick in a few sprigs of fresh mint. Serve.

There needs to be plenty of mint added because you want that aroma to really hit you in the nose while sipping. Enjoy!

Horse’s Neck Recipe

2 shakes of bitters
1 oz / 3 cl Bourbon
2-3 oz / 6-9 cl Ginger Ale

Ice
Lemon zest

Highball glass

10+ Bourbon Cocktails for Any Occasion

This one is easy to make, fill a highball glass with ice cubes. As big cubes as the glass can fit. Add a long strip of lemon peel. Add two shakes of bitters and then the Bourbon. Fill the glass with Ginger Ale. Enjoy!

Peach Bourbon Ice Pop Cocktail

I’ll start with the peach and vanilla ice pop, then I’ll continue with the drink, good luck.

Peach Vanilla Ice Pop

1 peach
½ vanilla bean
6 tbsp simple syrup (1 part sugar + 1 part water)
3 tbsp water

Chop the peach. Split the vanilla bean and add everything to a pot. Bring to boil on low temperature and simmer for ten minutes. Remove the vanilla bean. Mix into a smooth thick sauce. Freeze.

The Ice Pop Cocktail

1 peach vanilla ice pop
2 oz / 6 cl bourbon
1 oz / 3 cl cinnamon syrup (1 part sugar + 1 part water + cinnamon stick)
1 oz / 3 cl Cointreau

a few slices of fresh peach

ice

glass
spoon
shaker or mixing glass
sieve

10+ Bourbon Cocktails for Any Occasion

First, make the cinnamon syrup. Bring water and sugar to a boil and add a few cinnamon sticks. I made about two cups of syrup and used five cinnamon sticks. Don’t worry about making too much, it can be used for other drinks.

Add bourbon, cinnamon syrup, and Cointreau to the shaker, add ice and stir for 30 seconds. Add the sliced peach to the glass. Strain the drink into the glass. Add the ice pop. Enjoy!


Smoked Old Fashioned With Apple And Cinnamon

serves 1

2 oz / 6 cl bourbon
0.5 oz / 1.5 cl cinnamon syrup (recipe below)
0.5 oz / 1.5 cl concentrated apple juice
4 dashes Angostura Bitter

1-2 slices red apple
1 cinnamon stick
1 big ice cube

smoking gun
applewood chips
ice for shaking/stirring
jigger
shaker
lighter
spoon

Smoked Old Fashioned With Apple And Cinnamon - 10+ Bourbon Cocktails for Any Occasion

Add bourbon, cinnamon syrup, apple juice and Angostura to the shaker. Fill the shaker with smoke using the smoking gun. Add ice and close the shaker with the lid. Shake and set aside.

Slice one or two apple slices. Turn an Old Fashioned glass upside down and fill with smoke. Once the smoke settles turn it and add a big piece of ice. Pour over the drink. Add the apple slices and a cinnamon stick. Serve.

10+ Bourbon Cocktails for Any Occasion

Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate with Bourbon and Marshmallows

1 cup of milk (3% fat)
1.5 tbsp cocoa powder
2 tbsp sugar
1.5 tbsp smooth peanut butter
1 oz / 3 cl bourbon
2 tbsp whipped heavy cream
1 handful of mini marshmallows

10+ Bourbon Cocktails for Any Occasion

So, let’s make this. First, whip the cream and bring out the bourbon. You can also fill the cup you will be using for serving with hot water. I don’t heat the bourbon and the whipped cream will not be hot either. So if you use a cold cup it might not be hot enough.

Then add milk, sugar, and cocoa powder to a pot and bring to a boil while whisking. Once it’s hot set-aside and add the peanut butter without boiling it again. Whisk so all the butter melts into the hot chocolate.

Empty the cup and pour in the bourbon. Fill the cup but leave a little room for cream and marshmallows on the top. Spoon on the cream and then add the marshmallows. Then toast the marshmallows carefully with a Creme Brulee burner. Serve, with a spoon and feel the warmth spread.

Bourbon Apple Ginger Ale Cocktail

serves 1

2 oz / 6 cl bourbon
3 oz / 9 cl raw apple juice
4 oz / 12 cl ginger ale

1 lime
1 piece of fresh ginger
ice
glass

Bourbon Apple Ginger Ale Cocktail Recipe - 10+ Bourbon Cocktails for Any Occasion

Cut the lime in thick slices, wash and slice the ginger in thick slices as well. Add ice and sliced ginger and lime to a glass. Add the bourbon and raw apple juice to the glass and stir. Top off with the ginger ale. Serve and feel that refreshing flavor!

Brown Derby Cocktail Recipe

1-2 oz / 3-6 cl Bourbon
1 oz / 3 cl Grapefruit juice
1 oz / 3 cl Honey syrup (1 part honey + 1 part water)

Champagne coupe
Shaker
Ice

10+ Bourbon Cocktails for Any Occasion

Add all ingredients to the shaker, shake with ice, strain into the glass and garnish with a piece of grapefruit skin. Good luck and let me know if you liked it.

Blood Orange Whisky Sour Recipe

2 oz / 6 cl Bourbon
1 oz / 3 cl Blood Orange Juice
0.5 oz / 1.5 cl Lemon Juice
0.5 oz / 1.5 cl Simple Syrup
1 tsp Blood Orange Bitters
1 tbsp Egg white

Old Fashioned glass
Blood orange, for garnish
Ice
Shaker
Sieve

Blood Orange Whisky Sour Recipe - 10+ Bourbon Cocktails for Any Occasion

First, make the simple syrup if you don’t already have some. Just combine one part sugar with one part water and bring to a boil. Then leave to cool.

Squeeze blood oranges and lemons for the juice, if you’re only making one then one or maybe two of each should be plenty. Then strain the juice through a sieve.

10+ Bourbon Cocktails for Any Occasion

Add bourbon, blood orange juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, egg white, and blood orange bitters to the shaker. Add a handful of ice and then shake hard for about 30 seconds. Strain the drink into the glass, make sure to let all the foam drip into the glass. Cut a thin slice of blood orange and place it on top of the foam. Serve!

Sazerac Recipe

serves 1

2 oz / 6 cl Rye Whisky
3 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
½ oz / 1.5 cl Absinthe
2 tsp simple syrup (1 part sugar + 1 part water)

Lemon
ice for mixing
ice cube for serving
glass
mixing pitcher or shaker
strainer

The One Sazerac Recipe You’ll Need - 10+ Bourbon Cocktails for Any Occasion

Add the absinthe to the glass and swirl so it coats the entire glass. Pour out (or back into the bottle) the remaining absinthe. In the pitcher add rye, bitters, simple syrup and a handful of ice. Stir for about 30 seconds. Strain into the glass. Add a big ice cube. Serve with a lemon zest.

Some claim that the drink should be served without ice. Maybe that’s true but I don’t get why, if you want it warm why stir it with ice before? Add a piece of ice, a big one so it doesn’t dilute the drink too fast. Enjoy!

10+ Bourbon Cocktails for Any Occasion

Cherry Old Fashioned with Port Wine & Orange Bitters

2 oz / 6 cl bourbon
1 oz / 3 cl red port wine
2 oz / 6 cl cherry syrup (recipe below)
3 dashes orange bitters

ice
pitcher or shaker
spoon
old fashioned glass
one big ice cube
glazed cherry (recipe below)

Cherry Old Fashioned with Port Wine & Orange Bitters - 10+ Bourbon Cocktails for Any Occasion

Combine bourbon, port wine, cherry syrup and orange bitters in a pitcher. Add ice and stir for about 30 seconds. Add a big piece of ice to the Old Fashioned glass and strain the drink into the glass. Garnish with a glazed cherry. Serve.

This Old Fashioned is sweeter than a regular one so if you don’t want it as sweet just use less cherry syrup. Now let’s see how to make that syrup and the glazed cherry.

Cherry Syrup & Glazed Cherries

20 fresh purple or black cherries
1 cup / 2.3 dl water
½ cup / 1.1 dl sugar
5 cherries (for glazing)

Add the water to a pot and add the cherries. Lightly crush them using the backside of a spoon or a muddler. Bring to a boil and then let it simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes. Strain the liquid into a new pot and discard the cherries.

Cherry Old Fashioned with Port Wine & Orange Bitters - 10+ Bourbon Cocktails for Any Occasion

Add the sugar and bring to a boil again. Add the whole cherries that will be served as glazed cherries and let the syrup slowly simmer for about 10-15 minutes. Set aside and leave to cool. You should now have a sweet syrup, it should be a little bit thick in the texture but not like a toffee sauce. In that case, add a dash of water.

10+ Bourbon Cocktails for Any Occasion

Once you make the drink simply spoon out how much syrup you’ll need and then pull out a cherry for garnish. If kept cold both the syrup and cherries should last at least a week. Good luck!

Blood Orange Manhattan

Well as you can see in the recipe below there aren’t really any fresh blood oranges used in the recipe. I’m using a blood orange bitter I picked up at Whole Foods Market. It is kind of bitter but not like an Angostura. This is not to add some bitterness but more to use as an ingredient.

If you can’t find it I recommend trying a few dashes of Angostura and maybe a dash of fresh blood orange juice instead. I haven’t tried it like that but I’m guessing it will work. Now let’s blend.

How To Make a Blood Orange Manhattan - 10+ Bourbon Cocktails for Any Occasion

4 parts Rye or Bourbon
2 parts Red Sweet Vermouth
2 parts Blood Orange Bitter
Lemon zest

Tools
Ice
Martini glass
Small pitcher
Spoon

10+ Bourbon Cocktails for Any Occasion

Add the rye, vermouth, and bitter to a small pitcher. Add a handful of ice and stir the drink with the ice. Pour the drink into a martini glass without letting the ice slip into the glass. Add a few pieces of lemon zest into the glass. Serve.

Rob Roy Cocktail Recipe

2 oz / 6 cl Scotch Whisky
1 oz / 3 cl Red sweet vermouth
2-3 dashes Angostura bitters

Martini glass
ice
Maraschino cherries
Mixing glass

10+ Bourbon Cocktails for Any Occasion

Stir whisky, vermouth and bitters with ice in the mixing glass. Strain into the martini glass and garnish with two Maraschino cherries. Done.

Some recipes add a lemon twist or even some of the juice from the cherries. I prefer not to but if that’s your thing go right ahead. Good luck mixing.

Boilermaker Recipe

This is not much of a recipe. In my version that you can also see in the photos, I use a PBR in a can. It looks cool and feels even more blue-collar. On the side, there is a shot of Old Grand Daddy.

1 PBR, in a can
1 oz Old Grand Daddy

Pour and drink.

10+ Bourbon Cocktails for Any Occasion