And they're off - the 143rd running of the Kentucky Derby

mel b.
May 1, 2017
1 min read

They call it the most exciting two minutes in sports and I call it a great excuse to drink champagne and wear fabulous hats. In years past, friends and I would watch the race from the local race park which for me was Golden Gate Fields in Berkeley, California. All tracks simulcast races from around the world so it's easy for them to accommodate not only those who care to watch in a horsey setting, but they are more than happy to take your wager on any of the hundreds of races that take place daily.

Most importantly, the Kentucky Derby means Mint Juleps and Milk Punches both decidedly Southern and definitely sweet. Here's recipes for both but like Moscow Mules that only taste authentic in copper mugs, both of these only taste right sipped from a silver cup.

Cheers.

Milk Punch

2/3 jigger bourbon

1/2 jigger cognac

1/2 jigger rum

2 jiggers milk

1 jigger half and half 1 teaspoons powdered sugar

grated nutmeg

Chill all ingredients overnight to prevent curdling; mix and serve in a well chilled punch bowl set in a bowl of crushed ice. Garnish with grated nutmeg.

Mint Julep

Crushed ice

1 1/2 tablespoons simple syrup

2 jiggers bourbon

Mint spring

Powdered sugar

Crush ice and pack in silver julep cups; place in freezer until ready to use. A few minutes before serving, remove cup from freezer. This lets the cup frost. Pour in simple syrup and bourbon; mix well. garnish with mint sprig and just generously with powdered sugar.

(Both recipes courtesy of A Grand Heritage Cookbook - A Culinary legacy of Columbus. Mississippi)