2 ounces dark rum
1 ounce lime juice
1 teaspoon maple sugar

Shake the rum,* fresh-squeezed lime juice, and maple sugar* well with cracked ice, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Brown Derby 2

2 ounces bourbon
1 ounce grapefruit juice
1/2 ounce of honey syrup

Add Bourbon, grapefruit juice, honey syrup, with crushed ice, mix and serve

Blackberry Julep

6 ounces frozen blackberries
10 ounces ice
4 ounces bourbon
4 ounces simple syrup
Fresh mint sprigs

Place ice and berries in food processor and pulse until coarsely crushed. Pack ice and berries into traditional 10-ounce silver cups.
Add simple syrup and bourbon. Garnish with mint.

Belmont over ice

4 tablespoons vodka
3 tablespoons club soda
1 tablespoon peach schnapps
1 tablespoon orange juice

Serve on the rocks. Garnish with an orange slice.

Thoroughbred Punch

Serves 15-18

1/2 Cup Sugar
4 ounces Lemon Juice
6oz Orange Juice
4 Ounces Grenadine
1 Liter Woodford Reserve Bourbon
1 Liter Club Soda

Combine Sugar with the lemon and orange juice and stir well
Add grenadine and Woodford Reserve and stir again
Add the club soda, garnish with mint sprig and Ice mold and serve.

During this year’s Derby week, more than 140,000 Early Times Mint Juleps are expected to be served at Churchill Downs. Over the past 22 years, more than 2.5 million Early Times Mint Juleps have been served between Kentucky Oaks® and Derby Days at Churchill Downs. This year’s Derby will take place May 2, 2009.

Early times has just release their commemorative bottle of bourbon for the Derby. Early Times has been the official drink of the Kentucky Derby for the past 22 years.

Early Times Mint Julep Recipe

2 ounces Early Times

1 Tablespoon Simple Syrup

Mint Sprigs

Crushed Ice

Crush a few mint leaves in the bottom of an 8 ounce glass, then fill with crushed ice. Add one tablespoon of simple syrup and one tablespoon of water. Add 2 ounces Early Times. Stir gently until glass frosts. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig, sip and enjoy.

Simple Syrup with Mint

1 cup water

1 cup sugar

1 bunch fresh mint springs

Combine sugar and water. Boil for 5 minutes without stirring. Pour mix over a handful of mint leaves and gently crush the mint with a spoon. Refrigerate overnight in a closed jar. Remove mint leaves, but continue to refrigerate. Stays fresh for several weeks.

If you want to purchase pre-maid Mint Julep Mix, A Taste of Kentucky offers a great selection.

“Much as we try, it’s impossible to express in words the intensity of racing from a jockey’s perspective,” said artist Tom Chapman. “My goal is to capture it with a paint brush and canvas, often using unique angles and vibrant colors to set the tone. But no painting can truly capture the vibrancy and intensity of the Kentucky Derby.”

The artist’s signature adorns the neck band of the bottle, and an attached tag bears information about the artist and product. The limited edition liter-size bottle will be available beginning in early April throughout the nation in 38 states.

2 oz. PAMA pomegranate liqueur
2 oz. Bourbon
2 Sprigs of fresh mint
2 sugar cubes

In a mixing glass, muddle mint and sugar with bourbon and PAMA. Shake ingredients vigorously over ice and strain into a cup over crushed ice. Garnish with pomegranate seeds and a sprig of fresh mint, then serve.

If you need Mint Julep cups or Mint Julep glasses here are some great links.

Mint Julep Cups
Mint Julep Glasses

Kentucky Mint Julep Mix
Mint Julep Mix
Mint Julep Cups
Mint Julep Glasses

Mint Julep Brownies
1 (21.5 oz.) pkg. fudge brownie mix
1/2 c. water
1/2 c. oil
1 egg
1/2 c. mint chocolate chips
1/2 c. chopped pecans
2-3 tbsp. bourbon (optional)
2 c. confectioners’ sugar
1/4 c. butter, softened
2 tbsp. mint jelly or jellied mint sauce with mint leaves
1-3 tsp. milk
Glaze (recipe follows)
Pecan halves & mint leaves (optional garnish)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch pan.

In large bowl, combine brownie mix, water, oil and egg. Beat 50 strokes by hand. Stir in mint chocolate chips and pecans. Spread batter in greased pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until center is set. Drizzle 2 to 3 tablespoons of bourbon over hot brownies if desired. Cool completely.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, beat confectioners’ sugar, butter, mint jelly and enough milk to bring mixture to spreading consistency. Spread over cooled brownies.

Prepare Glaze: When it’s slightly cool, spoon the glaze over the filling, spreading to cover. Garnish with pecan halves and mint leaves. Store in refrigerator. Makes 36 bars.

Glaze: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt 1 cup mint chocolate chips with 1/4 cup butter, stirring constantly until smooth. Remove from heat; stir in 1 teaspoon bourbon or vanilla. Cool slightly.

Mint Julep Martini

2 parts of orange liqueur
2 parts of Kentucky bourbon
1/4 oz Vanilla Vodka
1/4 oz Peppermint Schnapps

• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups water
• Sprigs of fresh mint
• Crushed ice
• Early Times Kentucky Whisky
• Silver Julep Cups

Make a simple syrup by boiling sugar and water together for five minutes. Cool and place in a covered container with six or eight sprigs of fresh mint, then refrigerate overnight. Make one julep at a time by filling a julep cup with crushed ice, adding one tablespoon mint syrup and two ounces of Early Times Kentucky Whisky. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the outside of the cup. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

Too many of these is known to make some drive like they never should have received a license. Please drink responsibly!!

Nothing will please your guests more then good ol’ Kentucky favorites. You can turn your party into a classic Kentucky gathering or a fun for all BBQ! Which ever you choose, sharing the experience of Kentucky with your guests will be more then enjoyable.

If you want to go with the classic Kentucky party, white linens with polished silver and china will claim the simple elegance of the bluegrass state. Providing your guests with a traditional Kentucky snack will be a delight. Kentucky Benedictine (a cucumber dip) is a go around favorite, serve with crudité, crackers or triangles of cocktail rye. Beaten biscuits and country ham can be made into snack size tastings for your guests. “No dessert until you finish your food” is not taken into account when hosting a Derby party. Bourbon Balls are a definite crowd pleaser. For a main course Burgoo or Hot Browns are always a great choice. Burgoo is a classic soup made with a variety of meats and vegetables. Hot Browns are a signature item from Louisville’s Brown Hotel. Hot Browns can also be made vegetarian style to please any guest. And for dessert…Derby Pie.

If your taste is a little more wild then a classic Kentucky party, then bring on the BBQ and the potluck! Provide the meat for your guests and have your guests bring their favorite southern style side dish. Pick up some Derby themed decorations and have a free for all day, food, liquor and gambling.

Ingredients for a Billion-Ayre’s Bet

* Bombay Sapphire Gin
* Freshly Squeezed Grapefruit Juice
* Campari
* Squeeze Of Lime
* Champagne
* Ice Cubs

Quantities for one drink:

* 3 Oz Bombay Sapphire Gin
* 2 Oz Freshly Squeezed Grapefruit Juice
* 3/4 Oz Campari
* Oz Squeeze Of Lime
* Oz Champagne
* Oz Ice Cubs

Blending Instructions:

* Shake gin, juices and Campari with ice cubes
* Strain and pour into Rocks glass filled with fresh ice cubes
* Top with champagne
* Garnish with lime wheel

Serving Glass

Cocktail Glass

What do you think?