Oh how I love a good cocktail. No matter where I am drinking one, even if it’s on my couch, I feel like I’m somewhere special having a grand time. It could be simple like my go to Jack & Coke, or you can get fancy, like this Ginger Julep! I adore mint juleps and this one takes that classic drink and spices it up with ginger. There’s also a touch of orange juice to round out the flavors. The drink starts by making your own ginger-mint syrup. It’s really quite easy to make simple syrups and the flavor possibilities are endless. This one has mint, ginger, and orange peel. Once your syrup is ready and cooled, pour it in a glass with orange juice and good bourbon. Garnish with crushed ice and more mint and you’ve got one fancy cocktail! (Even if you’re like me and drink it on the couch in your yoga pants.)
So, how’s it taste?
I really liked the addition of ginger in this drink, but I couldn’t taste it as strong as I wanted to. I really wanted to be slapped in the face with that spicy ginger goodness. So next time, I’m going to amp up the ginger in the syrup big time. Even though the ginger wasn’t so prominent, I loved this drink. I added a bit more orange juice to mine because what does slap you in the face is the bourbon. I love me some bourbon, but it was too strong for my taste. So in my cocktail I added another tablespoon of the ginger-mint syrup and a few more splashes of o.j. Perfect! I’ll be sipping on this baby come gameday…which we we are sooooo close to football season! Squee!
Anyone watching Orange is the New Black? I think I’m the last person to catch on to it, but it’s awesome! The characters are so over-the-top ridiculous and the stuff that happens to the main character is so funny. It does have its touching moments telling the backstory of each inmate. It also has some Whoa simmer down! moments since it’s not on regular TV. I hate when shows on those networks push it too far because they can. I don’t need to see an image of a hoo-haa to get the storyline about an image of a hoo-haa. Okay? I’m almost finished with the first season and I’ll be binge-watching the second. What are you watching these days?
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Yield: 1 serving
Ginger Julep
Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz. bourbon
1 1/2 oz. fresh orange juice
1 tbsp. ginger-mint syrup
Crushed ice, for garnish
Mint sprig, for garnish
Ginger-Mint Syrup
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups water
1/4 lb. fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
One 3-inch piece of orange peel
1/4 cup lightly packed mint leaves
Directions:
1. For the syrup, in a small saucepan, bring the sugar and water to a boil; simmer until the sugar is dissolved, 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the ginger, orange peel, and mint. Let the syrup cool completely, 1 hour; strain through a fine sieve before using. The syrup can be refrigerated for up to 1 month.
2.Β For the julep, in a chilled julep cup or glass, combine the bourbon with the orange juice and ginger-mint syrup and stir well. Fill the cup with crushed ice and mix, spinning with a swizzle stick or bar spoon. Top with additional crushed ice and garnish with the mint sprig.
Oooh, I totally want one of these! I’ve never had any kind of julep – isn’t that crazy?! I binge-watched both seasons of OITNB. Love it! I need to find a new show to watch.
Wish I could reach into the screen and have a sip of this gorgeous drink. Looking forward to trying this recipe.
Looks amazing! I WILL be expecting one (or more) of these the last weekend of Sept. I try to stay away from binge-watching things since my last binge-watching session of The Walking Dead (which I’m totes addicted to now). However, The Bridge on FX just started its second season and I watch it religiously.
This sounds like my kind of cocktail! I love gingery drinks. I can convince myself that they are healthy π
Yum!! Is it Friday yet?! π
Hi Leah, this sounds delicious, love the ginger aspect to it!
haha, love your comments TV shows going nuts. i feel like every good show i watch is good until about the 3rd season, when there’s always some weird and usually very sexual twist and everyone starts sleeping together. anyways. the point i wanted to make here was that the drink looks awesome! i really want to get into football this fall (now that i live down south again, i basically have to) and will need plenty of booze to fuel me through. π
When I first saw the name of this recipe, I was so excited. I love me some mint, but I bet ginger makes this cocktail even better :). It’s the perfect drink to beat the heat!!!
Oooh these look delicious! I have made a few drinks with a ginger simple syrup, and I found in order to seriously amp up the ginger flavor I had to add a touch of ground ginger.
We powered through the new season of Orange is the New Black…and now we have to wait forever for the new season…booo! Love that show.
i definitely could kick back and relax with one of these right now.. they look divine! i love ginger and booze when mixed together, its definitely one of the great alcohol combinations!
What a creative drink, Leah! I don’t think I’ve tried a ginger one before, so this sounds fabulous!
Well I know what I’m making for cocktail hour tonight! I’ll be virtually cheersing you around 5pm California time!
This sounds so good, Leah! Love that you added a ginger twist to this cocktail – such a great recipe! Perfect for cocktail hour π
I love ginger everything and have always wanted to try a regular julep! This may just be a perfect combination for me. I’ll definitely take your advice and up the ginger…I like that smack you in the face spicy ginger goodness too π
I love cocktails. . This is absolutely my kinda drink.. very gingery and refreshing. . :D:D
This looks delicious. I love ginger in just about any form.
And I completely agree about OITNB. The gratuitous nudity just seems so unnecessary!
I’m mainly a wine drinker, but I love the occasional cocktail! It does make you feel fancy to have one! Ginger is one of my favorite flavors, so I know I would love these!
I love everything about this! You had my attention as soon as I recognized that Woodford Reserve bottle! π
Now this is my kind of julep. Delicious!
I love the sound of the ginger-mint combination. Ginger syrup is one of my favorite secret cocktail ingredients, but I haven’t thought before to use mint as well. You said that the ginger could use amping up a bit. How about the mint? Proportions seem good to you?
Hi there! I thought the mint was a good amount. Plus I usually dunk my garnish sprig in the drink, so that makes it extra minty.