Mint Julep & Cello

[Nino]

Boring Sunday evening.

Lousy weather.

Good Idea by Andreas.

Call a few guys for a "Spontaner Innenhof Smoke" (Spontaneous Inner-Patio Smoke).

He wanted to try out his new Mint Julep mugs.

Just 4 of us plus our non-smoking Dutch friend Josef.

Three hours of good time, good drinks and good cigars.

Good Idea !

BTW : The Maker's Mark won hands down.

[CBL]

Makers Mark makes Mint Juleps? Where can you get those?!

[chr0nic]

Having never had a 'Mint Julep', could you describe it?

My limited knowledge on them is that one time in The Simpson's and prohibition was re-enforced Homer made some bath tub 'Mint Juleps'. Really. That's all I got.

[riazp]

Pizza looked delicious, those RA's looked great! which ones were they Nino? Thank you for sharing!

[Nino]

Having never had a 'Mint Julep', could you describe it?

Well,

it was my first Mint Julep as well.

I liked it, but the first, Early Times, was too sweet / syrupy, the Maker's Mark was more intense and had a better Bourbon "bite".

The drink itself is light, refreshing, not too sweet, Mojito-like, perfect for summer ( whenever it arrives here ... )

We drank it from silver Julep mugs as it should be drunk, with lots of crushed ice and frost on the mugs.

Here's some info from wikipedia :

A mint julep is traditionally made with four ingredients: mint leaf, bourbon, sugar, and water. Traditionally, spearmint is the mint of choice used in Southern states, and in Kentucky in particular. In the use of sugar and mint, it is similar to the mojito.

By another method, the mint julep may be considered as one of a loosely associated family of drinks called "smashes" (the brandy smash is another example, as well as the mojito), in which fresh mint and other ingredients are muddled or crushed in preparation for flavoring the finished drink. The step further releases essential oils and juices into the mixture, intensifying the flavor from the added ingredient or ingredients.

Traditionally, mint juleps were often served in silver or pewter cups, and held only by the bottom and top edges of the cup. This allows frost to form on the outside of the cup.

The mint julep originated in the southern United States, probably during the eighteenth century. U.S. Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky introduced the drink to Washington, D.C., at the Round Robin Bar in the famous Willard Hotel during his residence in the city.

Americans enjoyed not only bourbon-based juleps during the nineteenth century, but also gin-based juleps made with genever, an aged gin. Recently, however, bourbon-based juleps have decisively eclipsed gin-based juleps

[Nino]

Pizza looked delicious, those RA's looked great! which ones were they Nino? Thank you for sharing!

RA Mille Fleurs from Apr 2001, very well made for that problematic period, great draw, tasty !

[chr0nic]

Sounds tasty, ill have to try this drink... I am a fan of mint so worth a try.

Agreed, thanks for sharing photos of your day- looks like a fantastic spread of all things consumable!

[riazp]

RA Mille Fleurs from Apr 2001, very well made for that problematic period, great draw, tasty !

Cigars like this, which i'm sure were/are very affordable, makes me wish I had gotten into cigar collecting alot earlier...I was only smoking the odd cigar here and there back in 2002...Glad you enjoyed it Nino. This is what this fraternity is all about, sharing drinks, smokes, food, laughter and conversations.

[Nino]

Cigars like this, which i'm sure were/are very affordable, makes me wish I had gotten into cigar collecting alot earlier...I was only smoking the odd cigar here and there back in 2002...Glad you enjoyed it Nino. This is what this fraternity is all about, sharing drinks, smokes, food, laughter and conversations.

Yep, can only agree wholeheartedly with your last statement there ..

As for the cigars, they were bought in Switzerland and the price was 3,40 CHF a stick or 85 CHF a box - that would put them in the 50-60 € range ... very affordable breakfast/quick-go-to cigar.

[Scdalak]

Pizza looked delicious, those RA's looked great! which ones were they Nino? Thank you for sharing!

+1 on the Pizza Riaz, Dont typically see that well built a pie in Germany...

[AverageJoe83]

We drank it from silver Julep mugs as it should be drunk, with lots of crushed ice and frost on the mugs.

Well, minus the mint leaf and muddler. But I'll let it slide because the pizza and cigar look great!

[Nino]

Well, minus the mint leaf and muddler. But I'll let it slide because the pizza and cigar look great!

Well, plus for your eyes - whatever a muddler is.

Most generous sliding of you sahib bwana.

[AverageJoe83]

whatever a muddler is.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muddler

Great tool for cocktails!

[ohioldd]

The official drink of the Kentucky Derby is the Early Times Mint Julep

[Hypersomniac]

Interesting. Early Times Mint Julep is the "official drink" of the Kentucky Derby, but Woodford Reserve is the "official bourbon" of the Kentucky Derby. Early Times is used in the main mint juleps that everyone buys, Woodford Reserve is used in the $1,000 mint juleps (whose proceeds go to charity). Both are owned by the Brown-Forman Corporation.

[Fuzz]

The mint julep originated in the southern United States, probably during the eighteenth century. U.S. Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky introduced the drink to Washington, D.C., at the Round Robin Bar in the famous Willard Hotel during his residence in the city.

After reading Punch joe's post re The Julian AlvarezCigar factory, I'm surprised to see Henry Clay's name turn up again. I'm going to have to do a search on this guy and see what else he did.

Never had a mint julep before either. Will have to try one the next time I'm at a bar.

[Nino]

Well, minus the mint leaf and muddler. But I'll let it slide because the pizza and cigar look great!

Corrected - Yesterday :

Fresh mint from the garden, ceramic "stampfer", good bourbon, perfect result.

Pizza was good and cigars .....

[riazp]

Nino, that looks like the mojito my buddy always orders when we go out for cigars at stogies. He orders a mojito with makers mark instead of rhum. Damn good drink as well.