Kentucky Derby 2016: Crafting A Winning Mint Julep Ticket
Last year I crafted the winning Mint Julep while downing a few of my own! Let’s see if we can do it again! The mint julep is one of my favorite traditions of the Kentucky Derby. It is beautiful, yet strong, with a touch of grit; truly horse racing in a glass. Julep is Persian for “rose water”, so it is fitting that this cocktail is the official drink of the Run for the Roses.
Mint juleps are comprised of four main ingredients. The perfect drink requires the right balance of these ingredients. Enter the exotic wager! I tell all of my friends that they have to do some exotic tickets for the Derby. If you think about it, putting together your exotic ticket is really no different than balancing the ingredients of that wonderful bourbon concoction. So let’s put our mixology skills to the test with this year's field.
MAIN INGREDIENT: BOURBON
Without bourbon, you have nothing! It is the centerpiece of the entire drink and also the most powerful! The “bourbon” of my exotic ticket is the class of the field and my main contenders. I will key them and use them at the top of my ticket. These are my contenders for the win. This quartet of runners are potent and could easily find their way to the winners circle: Gun Runner, Nyquist, Brody’s Cause, and Exaggerator
INGREDIENT #2: SIMPLE SYRUP
The simple syrup compliments the bourbon nicely. It brings the sweetness to this drink and we all like to sweeten the pot, don’t we?! The horses in this category are important players in the race but should have some moderate odds. It will sweeten your wager to have these guys on your ticket. Right now this group includes: Mor Spirit, Danzing Candy, Creator, and Destin
INGREDIENT #3: FRESH MINT
Ah, so refreshing especially on a warm spring day, just like the taste of cashing a ticket with someone from this group on it. These runners may see their dream muddled mid-race, but should make it interesting. You don’t want to go too heavy on the mint as it may leave you with a bitter taste, so don’t bet the house on these guys. These runners are simply there to compliment at a long price: Mo Tom, My Man Sam, Suddenbreakingnews, and Whitmore
FINAL INGREDIENT: CRUSHED ICE
Key word is crushed! As the drink sits in the sun, the ice quickly melts away just like this group of runners. They may be there early in the race, but at the end their Derby dreams will probably be crushed. Try not to water down your ticket with these pretenders: Trojan Nation, Oscar Nominated, Lani, Shagaf, and Outwork
Keep in mind you can make your ticket as strong or weak as you want to. But remember wagering is just part of the fun! Party it up this weekend, my friends! Don your hats and bowties, belt out “My Old Kentucky Home” and enjoy a julep or five! This is our weekend to shine! It is happy hour!!