The Kentucky Derby on Saturday means a day full of floppy hats, mint juleps and spare dollars lost to casual bets.
The tradition is charming for a reason: Things we do over and over give us the warm 'n' fuzzies.
But drinking the same beverage year after year can get a little dull.
We love mint juleps. But we also love shaking things up.
So this year, why not try a fresh take on the classic julep cocktail? Given its simple construction — bourbon, mint, sugar and ice — ad-libbing is easy.
Want a spring spin? Toss in some berries or peaches. Almost any fruit can jockey for a spot.
In place of the sugar, consider a simple syrup — you can make your own by heating up equal parts sugar and water until the sugar dissolves. For more flavor, add an herb, fruit or spice in the mixture for about a minute. Rhubarb simple syrup, anyone? Ginger? Grapefruit?
The spirit — bourbon — is mix-and-matchable, too. Other American whiskeys, such as rye, work, too. Give Japanese whiskey a go for something truly off the beaten track. Or try Scotch, for a smoky twist.
