Hats Off to the Mint Julep!



Image from the Kentucky Derby website

 On Saturday, thousands will parade around Churchill Downs in stylish hats and sip on the very southern drink called, "Mint Julep" for the 137th Kentucky Derby.  Each year, 120,000 thousand of these drinks are served.  

I've always wanted to make mint juleps and have my own Derby party, but this year, I'll be attending a wedding and won't even get a chance to glance at the horses.   However, I'm not going to leave you empty-handed.   I figured a Kentucky girl would know the best mint julep recipe so I asked a friend of mine to share her recipe with all of us just in case you wanted to make your own drink this year.

Kentucky's Finest Mom's Mint Julep
By Christa

Image Credit

First, make a simple syrup: Boil equal parts sugar and water (I usually do a cup of each) until the sugar is dissolved, then cool. Add a bunch of chopped mint leaves to the syrup, and let it sit for at least an hour. Strain the leaves out.

Pour 4 oz or so of good bourbon over ice. Mix in a few tablespoons of the mint syrup (to taste). Garnish with a sprig of mint. Enjoy!

The drink sounds easy enough, doesn't it? I may just ask for one at the wedding reception.

And to have even more fun with all of you.  I'm going to do something I never do!   I'm going to show you what I would wear if I were at the Derby this year.  I'm not a fashionista at all, and really need a stylist, but I went out on a limb and went inspiration shopping.   The best part of all is that it did not cost my bank account a thing!

I looked at tons of hats online, and this is what I would pick.

But, the hat is sold-out in black, and there is a good reason why which I'm about to share, but it is still available in white.

The hat company now calls this, "Kate's hat".   The Duchess of Cambridge wore it to a wedding in October 2010 a few weeks before her wedding engagement was announced to Prince William.

And I would pair my new hat with this silk jersey dress by Lilly Pulitzer if it looked good on me.  I'm the type that never knows until I try something on my body.  I think the dress would look great with my favorite Derby hat!



Image Credit



As for the horses, I like the name, "Pants on Fire", but since our topic today is mint juleps, I think I will pull for "Stay Thirsty."

Until next time, have a great mother's day weekend!

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