This may not be the most flattering outfit(!), but I had to get a little festive to show you how to make my favourite Winter cocktail of 2023 (so far!), the Winter Punch.
Features my purchases from: Dubliner Irish Whiskey, Red Leg Rum, Disaronno, TheZestCo, Luxardo & Tesco.
1.5oz (45ml) Bourbon 0.75oz (22.5ml) Spiced Rum 0.75oz (22.5ml) Amaretto 0.75oz (22.5ml) Cranberry Juice 1 tsp (5ml) lemon juice or orange juice Lemon or orange zest and cherries for garnish
Shake everything except the garnish with ice and strain into a coupe or cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon zest and cherries.
Juleps hadn’t really been on my radar until recently – perhaps surprisingly given my love of the classics!
Yesterday I did my regular cocktail session with the P&O Cruises – UK Fan Page, and the juleps were the perfect collection of drinks for a crazy-hot day!
Juleps are a short drink, sweetened slightly and packed with ice… choose you favourite spirit, a syrup or liqueur and some herbs (usually mint), crack some ice and you’ve got the ingredients for a delicious julep!
Classic Mint Julep
The ultimate classic, which is always worth a try… with origins in the 1600s, this mix of alcohol and herbs, sweetened with sugar or honey, was once a way to administer medicines – with this you really can say “It’s medicinal” 😉
The name ‘julep’ followed much later, and the type of alcohol changed too. Where once it would likely have been brandy, whisky became popular – especially in America with the Kentucky Cup – and I really enjoy whisky or dark rum in mine.
Traditionally served in a silver or copper julep cup, it’s not unusual to now serve this in a rocks glass or small wine glass.
My favourite so far: 2.5oz Mackmyra Björksav 0.5oz sugar syrup (2:1) 4-5 mint sprigs
In a chilled julep cup or glass, gently muddle the herbs in the syrup. Add the whisky, then fill half the cup with crushed ice. Give it a stir and fill the rest of the cup with crushed ice, making a small mound on top. Garnish with mint leaves.
Fancy a twist on the classic?
The julep is a great cocktail that you can adapt to suit what you have available, here are some recipes to give you some ideas…
