With the Kentucky Derby coming up May 2, thoughts are turning to the mint julep. This cocktail has been the signature drink of Churchill Downs since 1938, when they started serving the mint julep in souvenir glasses for 75 cents each.

If you don’t think the word “julep” sounds particularly Southern, you’re right. The cocktail, known as “julab,” originated in Arabia centuries ago. Eventually, it made its way to the U.S. — with little changes along the way. The addition of bourbon is what really made the cocktail what it is today.

So as you prepare to enjoy Derby Day, here are some bourbon suggestions. Picking a bourbon is an important task.

You want a quality bourbon that mixes well and doesn’t break the bank. Oh, and of course it has to be from Kentucky.

Evan Williams Black Label Bourbon: For under $20, you won’t feel bad using it in a cocktail. However, don’t let the price tag fool you. It’s a very highly rated bourbon with a rich flavor that stands on its own.

Maker’s Mark: There’s a reason this is the go-to bourbon for cocktails. It mixes very well — the sweet and spicy notes go with a lot of mixers. Also, you can usually pick it up for around $20.

Buffalo Trace: This bourbon has the right amount of brown sugar flavor and oak to make a very balanced and truly Southern mint julep. You can generally pick this up for around $25.

Woodford Reserve: I think this is one of the best values out there in bourbon. It’s smooth with layered flavors. This one will make a mean mint julep and also please those who want their bourbon straight instead. Great for a party. Typically, you can find it around $30.

Mardi Gras is upon us and Fat tuesday is around the corner. So why feature the classic New Orleans Cocktail. No, I’m not talking about a Hurricane, I am talking about the Sazerac one of the very first cocktail recipes in history. It was created in the 1830’s by Phamacist Antoine Amédée Peychaud, as a way to deliver a dose of his “health” elixir, Peychaud’s Bitters. These bitters are still used today.

The Cocktail get’s its name from a brand of Cognac, Sazerac de Forge et Fils, which was the original base ingredient of the cocktail. It also became famous at the Sazerac Coffee House, opened in 1859, which was said to have gained it’s name from the Cognac as well.

Sazerac

2 oz. Sazerac Rye Whiskey or Bourbon
1/4 teaspoon Absinthe or anise flavored liquor (such as Pernod, Herbsaint or Anisette)
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon water
Dash of Peychaud’s bitters
Lemon twist

Pour the Absinthe into a chilled old fashioned glass, swirl the liquor around the glass until the glass is coated. Add the sugar, water and bitters and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Fill the glass with ice cubes, add the bourbon, stir well and add a twist of lemon.

Classic Cocktails of New Orleans
past Drink of the Week Cocktails

Great read from Paul Clarke at the New York Times Proof Blog about how drink recipes differ from bartender to bartender. These differences often can lead to disputes over the ‘right’ ways to make any drink. The Old Fashioned is a prime example, a classic cocktail made of Bourbon, but some times Brandy and it goes from there.

Read the post:
Are You Friends, After an Old Fashioned? Proof (NY Times)

Paul Clarke of The Cocktail Chronicles wrote this recent post for the the New Times Proof Blog laying out his view of today’s cocktail landscape. His journey begins in Manhattan, but explores the merits of Americas great cocktails cities.

Be sure to check out the comments as well, some people just don’t get it.

read the post:
Drinking Outside the Temple - Proof Blog - NYTimes.com

Drink World, a new monthly “Blogazine”, is just our my cup of tea (err whiskey). The new publication is dedicated to finding “the most interesting drinking-related stories as well as new and notable products, recipes and drinking games”. Drink World is brought to you by the folks at Digital City, a new lifestyle website from AOL. The site combines local lifestyle and entertainment information with globally appealing news, all with an irreverent slant.

The first issue of drink world is a good read. Find out about weird “Blue Laws”, organic beers and “Great Moments in Drinking History”.

Read the whole issue:
Drink World Goes ‘Round & ‘Round - Digital City

The folks at Asylum asked, “now that Absinthe is legal and no longer so dangerous, what drinks are most dangerous?”

Well, they came up with a list. Included are favorites such as Moonshine, Everclear and various other potent concoctions from around the world.

Read the Whole List:

Absinthe Deemed Safe, So We Reveal Other Dangerous Drinks - Asylum

Of course, not drinking responsibly is dangerous now matter what you’re drinking.
Please drink responsibly!

In 2007 the U.S. Senate created National Bourbon Heritage Month. To be observed each September, the event celbrates Bourbon as America’s Native Spirit.

To Kick off the month, the folk at Wild Turkey Bourbon sent us their version of the classic Manhattan.


Wild Turkey Bourbon Manhattan

1 parts Wild Turkey 101
1 1/2 parts sweet vermouth
1 dash bitters

Stir well with cracked ice and strain into a Manhattan or chilled martini glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

more Bourbon Cocktails

Kentucky Bourbon Festival
National Bourbon Heritage Month - Kentucky.gov