Mint Julep Balls Recipes

KENTUCKY MINT JULEP

Steps:

• First, make the simple syrup by heating the water. Whisk in sugar and heat until sugar is dissolved.
• Remove from heat.
• Add mint and let the mixture steep for 20 to 30 minutes.
• Add cracked or crushed ice to Julep tumbler or glass.
• Add 1 1/2 ounces of Kentucky Bourbon.
• Add 2 1/2 teaspoons syrup, or to taste. Stir lightly.
• Garnish with fresh mint leaf and serve with a straw.

MINT JULEP TRUFFLES

Steps:

• Put the chopped semisweet and milk chocolate in a medium bowl. Bring the heavy cream and butter to a simmer in a small saucepan. Pour the cream mixture over the chocolate, completely covering it, and let sit for 5 minutes. Stir with a spatula until the chocolate is completely melted, smooth and glossy. (If the chocolate doesn't melt completely, microwave the mixture on high in 15-second increments, stirring in between, until fully melted.) Fold in the bourbon and peppermint extract until they are incorporated. The mixture will look separated at first, but keep stirring until it is uniform.
• Set the bowl over a larger bowl of ice water, and let the mixture chill for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has thickened a bit and become homogeneous. Pour the mixture into a shallow 2-quart baking dish or 9-inch pie plate. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until set, about 3 hours.
• Meanwhile, process the sugar and mint in a food processor for 1 minute until the mint is finely chopped and dispersed, scraping down the bowl with a spatula halfway through. (The mint sugar can be refrigerated in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days.)
• Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of the chocolate mixture, and roll them between gloved hands to shape them, working quickly, as the balls melt fast. Put them on a plate or rimmed baking sheet, and refrigerate for 10 minutes. Put the mint sugar in a shallow dish, and drop the balls in a few at a time, shaking the dish to coat them on all sides; transfer the truffles to a platter, shaking off the excess, and refrigerate until you are ready to serve them. (Once the truffles have been coated, they must be served that day. Uncoated, they can be stored overnight in the refrigerated in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap, then coated the day they're served.)

CLASSIC BOURBON MINT JULEP

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Place the mint leaves and sugar or simple syrup into a julep cup, collins glass, or double old-fashioned glass.
• Muddle well to dissolve the sugar and release the oil and aroma of the mint.
• Add the bourbon.
• Fill the glass with crushed ice and stir well until the glass becomes frosty.
• Garnish with a mint sprig. Serve with a straw and enjoy.

SIMPLE MINT JULEP

Steps:

• Place a tall glass in the freezer until frosted.
• Mix water and sugar together in the frosted glass until sugar is dissolved. Twist mint leaves to release the scent and flavor from each leaf; add to glass. Fill glass 1/4-full with bourbon; add ice. Garnish glass with a mint leaf.

MINT JULEP BALLS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine wafer crumbs, 1 cup powdered sugar, cocoa and nuts and mix well.
• Add bourbon, corn syrup, and peppermint extract and mix together with your hands until the mixture holds together.
• Form the mixture into 1 inch balls and roll them in powdered sugar.
• Store in an airtight container until ready to serve.

MINT JULEPS

Steps:

• Make mint syrup using 2 cups each sugar and water and 3 bunches mint (see recipe, below). Combine the syrup with 1 1/2 cups bourbon in a pitcher. Refrigerate up to 8 hours. Pour into julep cups packed with crushed ice. Garnish each with a mint sprig and serve with a straw.

MINT JULEPS

Steps:

• Combine water, sugar and chopped mint leaves in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat until the sugar is completely dissolved. Allow syrup to cool, approximately 1 hour. Pour syrup through a strainer to remove mint leaves
• Fill eight cups or frozen goblets with crushed ice and pour 4 ounces of bourbon and 1/4 cup mint syrup in each. (Proportions can be adjusted depending on each person's sweet tooth). Top each cup with a mint sprig and a straw. Trim straws to just barely protrude from the top of the cups. Serve juleps on a silver platter.

MARK BITTMAN'S MINT JULEP

Steps:

• Muddle mint leaves and the simple syrup in a glass, then add the ice and whiskey. Garnish: lots of fresh mint.

MINT JULEPS FOR A CROWD

Steps:

• To make simple syrup, combine sugar and 1 cup water in a saucepan.
• Place over high heat and bring to a boil, stirring the mixture to dissolve the sugar.
• Boil 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat and add washed mint (still on the stem, just stir it all in).
• Set aside for 24 hours.
• Strain the mixture into a jar and discard the mint.
• Chill julep cups or glasses in the freezer before making juleps.
• Fill them with crushed ice.
• Add 1 1/2 teaspoons of mint syrup and 2 ounces of bourbon.
• Garnish with sprigs of mint, if desired.