Spirited Advisor

A Refreshing Bridge between Winter and Spring

As the Kansas City winter begins to thaw and spring is just around the corner, we begin dreaming of our warm green future. The tendency to drink dark warming spirits like whiskey and brandy are replaced by lighter refreshing tastes of vodka and gin. One of my favorite drinks, the mint julep, helps bridge the gap between winter and spring. It perfectly combines the warmth of bourbon with the refreshing qualities of green mint.

The julep was America’s first cocktail to gain fame throughout the world, even having its own day at Oxford University, but it did not begin its journey as the drink we know today. The cocktail was created in the early 1800s when the dominant spirit was brandy; two variations were used to create the first julep. It was a simple mixture of peach brandy and traditional brandy produced from grapes. As Americans began moving south, so did the drink. Rye, the dominant grain used in whiskey, was replaced with corn, which was grown in the south. And bourbon was born, influencing the julep we know today.

The mint julep gained incredible popularity in the south, eventually becoming the official drink of the Kentucky Derby in 1938. Today over 100,000 juleps are served in the short two day period at Churchill Downs. While it has always been king in the south, the classic cocktail movement has put this drink back on many menus throughout the country. As with many drinks that have morphed over time, the recipe is a highly debated topic, but the team at M & S Grill has put together what we feel is the perfect formula.

Begin by lightly muddling a few sprigs of mint, ¾ oz of simple syrup and 1 dash each of angostura, peach, and rhubarb bitters in a mixing glass. Be careful with the mint; use only enough pressure to release the oils. Then add 2 ½ oz of a barrel strength bourbon. Lighter bourbons with 40 percent alcohol will not stand up to the amount of ice needed to properly prepare the cocktail. Lightly stir the ingredients and strain into a glass filled with crushed ice. If you have a pewter julep cup, great, but for the rest of us, use a thin walled glass which will cool quickly, helping maintain the integrity of the ice. Top off the drink with more crushed ice and garnish with mint leaves.

• 2 oz. Woodford Reserve bourbon (the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby)
• 3 large mint sprigs (6 leaves)
• .5 oz. simple syrup
• 1 dash angostura bitters
• Soda water to fill
  
  
• Lightly muddle 2 of the mint sprigs, syrup and bitters
• Add bourbon and shake
• Strain over fresh ice and float soda water
• Garnish with a mint sprig

M & S Grill

The Mixologists tend the bar and get creative at M&S Grill on the Plaza where every hour is happy hour. The M&S Grill is the only classic American grill on the Plaza, offering contemporary twists on an evolved and expanded menu with nearly 50 items from hearty to healthy and serving local L&C Meats. Drop in for a drink at 47th and J.C. Nichols Parkway, across from the JC Nichols fountain. Questions and reservations: 816-531-7799 or www.MandSGrill.com