Spiced Harvest Mint Julep

Food
Written By Catherine Courtney

Like many of you, I’ve wanted to hit the fast forward button on 2020. Astrologers, psychics, heck, even the Farmers’ Almanac did see this one coming. The pandemic has literally turned the world upside down, multiple times, in fact. Instead of wishing away the remainder of 2020, I’m looking forward to what the fall season has in store. There’s nothing better than pulling your favorite sweater out of the back of your closet, curling up near a fire and sipping on your favorite autumnal cocktail. I find the flavor of fall so comforting and familiar. One event that I am most looking forward to this fall season is the 146th running of The Kentucky Derby. Yes, COVID-19 rescheduled that event, too.

The Kentucky Derby is by far one of my favorite events of the year. Take it from a girl who has seen the best two minutes in sports, it’s an event not to be missed. Even though the seats beneath the twin spires won’t be filled with outrageous hats, pastels and plaids, it doesn’t mean that you can’t celebrate from the comfort of your own home. Don your favorite derby outfit, open up a bottle of Maker’s Mark, and place your bets! No derby celebration would be complete without a Mint Julep, which is THE official cocktail of The Kentucky Derby. Seeing how this time-honored tradition is now taking place in the fall, I thought it might be fun to create a riff of this classic cocktail and embrace the season. The Spiced Harvest Mint Julep is filled with spice and subtle notes of fall, a proper way to celebrate The Kentucky Derby.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ounces of Maker’s Mark Bourbon

  • 4-6 Mint Leaves

  • 3 Tablespoons of Spiced Harvest Syrup ( see recipe below)

  • Crushed Ice

  • Garnish- Mint Spring and if you’re feeling festive and orange peel


Spiced Harvest Syrup

  • 1.5 Cups of Orange Juice (Pulp-Free or Reduced Pulp)

  • 5 Cinnamon Sticks

  • 7 Whole Cloves

  • 1/4 cup Maple Syrup

  • 1/4 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg

  • 2 Clove Studded Orange Slices

  • 1 Tablespoon Demerara Sugar


Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan over high heat, combine all the ingredients and whisk well to incorporate

  • Cook the syrup for 10-12 minutes whisking vigorously to prevent the ingredients from sticking and burning. The syrup will reduce by half

  • Once reduced, remove the syrup from heat and let stand for 30 minutes until cool

  • Remove cinnamon sticks, clove-studded orange slices, and whole cloves


Steps:

  • In the Julep cup, lightly muddle the mint leaves

  • Add the Spiced Harvest Syrup and Maker’s Mark and pack the Julep cup tightly with crushed ice

  • Stir carefully until the Julep cup is frosted

  • Top the Julep cup with more crushed ice until a small dome is formed. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and orange peel if you are in the fall spirit

Thanks to Maker’s Mark for partnering with me on this post.

Until Next Time!

Catherine Courtney

Welcome to Blonde Voyage Nashville!

I am so excited to finally see this dream become a reality.  Between the destination restaurants, the copious amount of food photos and insanely crazy travel stories, I have decided to share my journey. 

My name is Catherine Courtney and I am a Nashville native with a penchant for culinary creativity and epic travel adventures. I'll admit... I also have a slight obsession with handbags.

Two years ago, my life changed completely.  Everything that I knew to be was completely turned upside down.  I quickly realized that time is our greatest commodity and it's not to be taken for granted. I couldn't wait for the perfect time, who knew when that would be.  I needed to take the leap and explore the world on my own.  There were so many places I wanted to go, but where would I start. 

France was always one of those places that I had romanticized.  Wandering the streets of Paris and seeing the Eiffel tower were at the top of my list. Without hesitation, I booked a two week trip to the French Rivera and Paris.  It was a journey of a lifetime.  Not only were amazing friendships cultivated, but it was on that trip that i discovered that food and travel are the embers that that keep my soul on fire. 

It wasn't until I arrived back in Nashville with my passport that I realized I had been bit. Wanderlust had completely taken over.  I already started thinking about where I wanted to go next.  It was then that I decided that it was more important to have camera full of photos and a tattered journal full of stories than anything else. My heart was overflowing.

One of my favorite quotes that resonates is from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland:

"Actually, the best gift you could have given her was a lifetime of adventures...."

Join me as I explore near and far away places, filling my passport full of stamps and satiating my appetite with some of the most amazing cuisine the world has to offer. 

Thanks for reading! 

       

 

 

http://blondevoyagenashville.com
Previous

The Catbird Seat: The Fifth Iteration

Next

Weekend Wandering: Evins Mill