Are you ready for the Kentucky Derby? On May 2nd nearly 12,000 will flock to this sporting event to enjoy the race. The derby is as much about fashion and sipping mint juleps as it its horse racing.
When Maker’s mark reach out and asked me to create a spin on the original mint julep I quickly replied, YES! I adore bourbon cocktails so this JulepOff challenge was the perfect excuse to create a new twist on a classic cocktail, plus the thought of spending a day sipping on mint juleps made me giddy.
My first thought was to use prickly pears, but on my way to the grocery store I spotted a couple enjoying a fruit cup at the park. Bright, spicy thick mango slices topped with chile powder of course, this was it. A mango chile mint julep, the perfect South Texas twist on the classic mint julep.
A mint julep consist of only a few key ingredients – ice, bourbon, sugar and mint, but use fresh, quality ingredients to whip up the best julep. Be picky when selecting your mint leaves, no bruises or brown bits. Strain you crushed ice before adding to your cocktail glass, no one wants a watered down julep.
- 3 slices of fresh mango
- 3 fresh mint leaves
- 1 teaspoon Spicy fruit seasoning powder I used Tajin
- 2 tablespoon simple syrup
- 1 ½ parts Maker’s Mark Bourbon
- Splash of distilled water
- Crushed ice
- Powdered sugar
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In a julep or cocktail glass muddle together mango slices, mint leave, spicy fruit seasoning and simple syrup. Fill glass with crushed ice and pour Maker’s Mark, distilled water over ice. Sprinkle top of ice with powdered sugar and spicy fruit seasoning and garnish with mint sprig.
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