MontgomeryCountySpirits-2018-Q2 - 20

your glass. The purpose is to release the mint's aro-

MINT SYRUP

matic oils from their cellulose sachets-which can be
done without destroying the leaf.
Unless you're into bitter bits of plant pulp-in which
case, to each their own. Experiment responsibly. But in
the meantime start with the classic. After you've picked
your bourbon and crushed your ice, reach for your bois
lélé swizzle stick and roll back and forth vigorously
between your palms to mix and chill your julep. A standard barspoon will do, but the angle and the concavity
make it tricky even for a seasoned jigger jockey while
agitating the drink through the ice. Keep a towel handy.
Swizzle until the cup frosts over completely, accomplished best in a traditional pewter or silver julep cup.
Frost it white and then hold the beverage with thumb
hooked over the rim and fingers under the bottom
edge to preserve the frost while sipping from the straw
and bouqueting the mint. A julep is not meant to be
set down.
In the periodic swing of the great wheel, the first
Saturday of May falls on the 5th this year-and so

Heat equal parts by weight of turbinado (raw)
sugar and water until blended. Remove from heat
and cool to just above room temperature. Add 2
large bundles fresh mint per quart and refrigerate
overnight.

OAXACA JULEP
2 lemon twists (1" wide)
½ cone (12-14g) piloncillo sugar (or regular dark
brown sugar will work)
6-10 large leaves chocolate mint
2 ½ oz. Del Maguey Single Village Chichicapa
mezcal

Muddle well sugar with lemon peels.
Add the mint and gently tamp.
Add the mezcal.

Derby on the same day as they salud el Cinco de

Fill halfway with crushed ice and swizzle (with a
quararibea turbinata stick or a barspoon) until the
cup frosts up.

Mayo. And if you're the type to weave celebrations

Top with crushed ice and a straw.

into each other as I am, frost up this Oaxaca Julep (pro-

Garnish with a mint sprig (slap it against your palm
to release the aromatic oils).

conscientious Americans raise a glass to the Kentucky

nounced hoo-lepp) made with a single village mezcal,
and cheer on thoroughbreds and caballeros alike.

CINCO DE MAYO CELEBRATES THE
TRIUMPHANT UNDERDOG
Often misrepresented as Mexican independence day,
Cinco de Mayo actually celebrates the Mexican victory at the Battle of Puebla over a French occupation
force. Cinco de Mayo lauds the little guy: Mexico was
just 40 years old when Napoleon III thought he would
waltz in and take over like his diminutive predecessor
while Mexico's bigger, older neighbor to the north was
embroiled in its own Civil War.
The key drink of U.S. Cinco de Mayo celebrations
is, of course, the Classic Margarita, a refreshing and
powerful tipple in the sour category (half-sister to the
Sidecar and cousin to the Daiquiri). Many fruity and
sour cold drinks made with tequila represent themselves as margaritas, but watch out for pretenders.

CLASSIC MINT JULEP
1-3 teaspoons powdered confectioner's sugar (or
1/4 oz. simple syrup)
6-10 large leaves mint (experiment responsibly to
find your variety)
2 ½ oz. Blanton's bourbon

Gently tamp the mint into the sugar.
Add the bourbon.
Fill halfway with crushed ice and swizzle (with a
quararibea turbinata stick or a barspoon) until the
cup frosts over.
Top with crushed ice and a straw.
Garnish with a mint sprig and sprinkled powdered
sugar.

With help from the craft cocktail wave, tequila has
managed to pull itself up by its dusty bootstraps in
the public eye, finding rebirth in quality distillations
made from carefully selected agave piñas, aged and

By international definition, tequila is a certified

packaged with local stories of independent crafters

mezcal made from 100 percent blue agave in the state

finding the living spirit within the tradition and progress

of Jalisco (plus a couple other legally recognized

of alchemizing fermented fruit juice into that fabled

locations). Within that region, different altitudes and

firewater known as tequila. High-end craft tequila vies

climates affect the agave's fruit and produce different

for the pinnacle with top cognac and scotch.

flavors. Reposado (rested) tequilas spend between

20 MONTGOMERY COUNTY DLC

MontgomeryCountySpirits-2018-Q2

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of MontgomeryCountySpirits-2018-Q2