Bourbon is a dark American whiskey originating in Bourbon County, Kentucky. A distillate of a minimum of 51 per cent maize, it is aged in barrels of white oak, charred on the inside, from two to eight years.

•  Straight bourbon is the unblended product of a single distillery in a given year.
•  Sweet mash is so called because for each new batch the grain is fermented - or malted - afresh.  
•  Sour mash is made with a 'starter' of already-fermented mash.

And summer is the perfect time of year for a Mint Julep.

For one person:

4 sprigs of fresh mint, plus 1 for decoration
2 1/2 ounces of bourbon
1 teaspoon powdered sugar
2 teaspoons water

Muddle (lightly crush) the mint leaves, powdered sugar, and water in a whiskey tumbler or a silver julep mug. Fill with shaved or crushed ice then the add bourbon. Top with more ice and garnish with a mint sprig.

 

Posted on Wednesday 28th July 2010 in Americas & Caribbean, Information, Ingredients