The Mint Julep is the official cocktail of The Kentucky Derby. The Derby Chai marries this long-time staple with the morning cult classic Dirty Chai for a rich, round and unexpected interpretation certain to excite your guest.
The Build:
1/2 Part Citrus Chai Spiced Honey Syrup
A standard tea syrup made with Masala Chai. Many of the spicy attributes complement the mash bill of our whiskey spirit base.
1/2 Part Cointreau Orange Curaçao
Cointreau is an orange liqueur dating back to 1849 and an integral ingredient in a number of classic cocktails. We're using it here to balance the bitterness of the espresso with sweetness from its sugar and the orange, citrusy acid in its primary flavoring agent.
2 Parts Old Grand Dad Bottled in Bond Bourbon
This high proof whiskey stands up nicely to the cobbled ice characteristic to the "julep" style, while its mild finish of vanilla and baking spices accentuate the Masala Chai.
1 Part Espresso
Bitter, highly concentrated coffee extract. We recommend a Guatemalan or other Latin American bean as they tend to impart the nutty character we're looking for in this cocktail.
Mint Bouquet
When it comes to mint, always parse out all but the freshest available to you as it tends to provide the most vibrant oils.
Cobbled Ice: Ice is the darling of proper cocktail interpretation. In this case, it's important to note that cobbled ice is a defining element to the "julep" style. First Build makes a home machine called the Opal, available for purhcase online. If you're in the US, you can also find crushed ice at a very affordable price point in 5 lb bags at any Sonic drive-in.
The Technique:
Start by taking 3-4 sprigs of mint and rubbing the inside of your julep cup* thoroughly, applying the natural oils of the leaves to the inside of the glass. This step is often overlooked with the traditional Mint Julep, resulting in a meeker expression of the mint character.
*A rocks glass will do as a substitute, but note that it will not insulate as well or provide the same reduced rate of dilution.Fill your julep cup with cobbled ice and set aside to chill in a refrigerated area, when available.
Add all ingredients to a boston shaker and fill to top with ice.
Shake to chill and dilute.
Double strain to chilled julep cup with hawthorn and fine strainers.
Garnish with a large bouquet of mint. Be sure to give your bouquet a light smacking in your palm to wake up the natural oils and heighten the olfactory character. Remember that smell is a significant contributor to the experience of taste, so you can maximize the effect of your mint garnish by placing your bar straws at a short cut right above the bouquet.
Be sure to keep an eye out for more recipes and techniques coming your way from Cocktail Crafter!
Thank you for being so specific in your recipe. There are a lot of differences in alcohol and liqueurs and it's nice to see why you choose a specific brand or type.
By the way, not all Sonic's sell the ice by the bag. I tried recently to get some and the local Sonic didn't sell it by the bag. So call first. I ended up going to a restaurant I frequent and they just gave me a few big ziploc bags. Enough for what I needed.
Thanks for the heads up on the ice availability. I've not yet personally encountered this issue of unavailability in any of the markets where we operate, but very useful information, indeed!