Tragedy

on the first Saturday in May.

We don't know what Eight Belles means on a horse farm, but in nautical terms "eight bells" marks the end of one's watch shift. - USAToday

Such a heartbreaking end to what should have been a glorious day.

Gentlepeople...

start your muddlers...IT'S DERBY DAY!

MINT JULEP

For richer bourbon flavor, try a higher-proof bourbon such as Wild Turkey 101-proof or Wild Turkey Rare Breed (108 proof). Another variation uses Cuervo Black Medallion. Whatever recipe you use, be sure to use crushed ice, and serve this drink extremely cold, with frost on the glass.

You may want to start with a glass that's spent time chilling in the freezer. Don't forget to serve with a straw for sipping.

8 to 10 mint leaves, plus 1 mint sprig, for garnish
1 teaspoon sugar
2 1/2 ounces bourbon
Sparkling water
Crushed ice
Twist of lemon peel, for garnish
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting
Chill a (tall) Collins glass in the freezer for 10 minutes.
Combine the mint leaves, sugar, 1 ounce of the bourbon and a splash of sparkling water in the chilled glass. Use a spoon or wooden muddler to gently crush (muddle) the mint into the mixture.

Add a handful of crushed ice and stir vigorously. Add the remaining 1 1/2 ounces of bourbon and a splash of sparkling water. Fill the glass to the brim with ice (tightly packed), then use a bar spoon or knife to agitate the mixture until frost appears on the outside of the glass. Garnish with the mint sprig and lemon twist, and dust the top with confectioners' sugar. Insert a straw and serve immediately.

Cleaning Up in the Derby

From second to last to 2 length winner in about 2 minutes! WOW! What a heart stopper of a race!

This talented colt certainly cleaned up in the 9th race at Churchill yesterday. He deserves a little "spaaaaaaaaah" time!

But I don't care how many Pizza Hut Pizza's and KFC Fried Chicken buckets Churchill Downs was offered, how could they "sell" The Kentucky Derby to Yum!, Brands?

Street Sense won THE KENTUCKY DERBY...he did NOT win The Kentucky Derby brought to you by Yum!, Brands. It cheapens the historic significance of this race. It detracts from what an amazing race this whirlwind of a horse ran.

It's the First Saturday in May

that means only two things. Kentucky Derby. Mint Juleps.

Oh, make that three things. The third being checking in on Left at the Gate to see who he likes in the 9th at Churchill.

The Perfect Mint Julep from Maker's Mark

1 liter Maker’s Mark
Lots of fresh spearmint leaves
1 cup distilled water
1 cup granulated sugar
Powdered sugar for garnish
Mint sprigs for garnish

1. To prepare the mint extract, remove about 40 small mint leaves – wash and place in a small mixing bowl. Cover with 3 ounces of Maker’s Mark. Allow the leaves to soak for 15 minutes. Then gather the leaves in a clean, soap-free piece of cotton cloth and vigorously wring the mint bundle over the bowl of whisky. Dip the bundle again and repeat the process several times. Then set aside.

2. To prepare the simple syrup, mix 1 cup of granulated sugar and one cup of water in a cooking pot. Heat to dissolve the sugar. Stir constantly so the sugar does not burn. Set aside to cool.

3. To prepare the mint julep mixture, pour 3 1/2 cups of Maker’s Mark into a large glass bowl or glass pitcher. (Pour the remaining whisky from the liter bottle into another container and save it for another purpose). Add 1 cup of the simple syrup to the Maker’s Mark.

4. Now, begin adding the mint extract 1 tablespoon at a time to the julep mixture. Each batch of mint extract is different, so you must taste and smell after each tablespoon is added. You may have to leave the room a time or two to clear your nose. The tendency is to use too much mint. You are looking for a soft mint aroma and taste – generally about 3 tablespoons.

5. When you think it’s right, pour the whole mixture back into the empty liter bottle and refrigerate it for at least 24 hours to marry the flavors

6. To serve the mint julep, fill each glass (preferably a silver mint julep cup) half full with shaved ice. Insert a sprig of mint and then pack in more ice to about an inch over the top of the cup. Then, insert a straw that has been cut to one inch above the top of the cup so the nose is forced close to the mint when sipping the julep.

7. When frost forms on the cup, pour the refrigerated julep mixture over the ice and add a sprinkle of powdered sugar to the top of the ice. Makes 26-30 servings.

Get your hats and juleps ready

It's almost post time again at Churchill Downs...



Early Times Mint Julep

* 2 cups sugar
* 2 cups water
* Sprigs of fresh mint
* Crushed ice
* Early Times Kentucky Whisky
* Silver Julep Cups

Make a simple syrup by boiling sugar and water together for five minutes. Cool and place in a covered container with six or eight sprigs of fresh mint, then refrigerate overnight. Make one julep at a time by filling a julep cup with crushed ice, adding one tablespoon mint syrup and two ounces of Early Times Kentucky Whisky. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the outside of the cup. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.