The Mint Julep: Where Mixology Meets Betology
For two years in a row now I used the mint julep recipe to craft a winning ticket! While last year’s payouts were lacking the “fresh mint”, something tells me Kentucky Derby 2017 will not. Like many of you, I look at this three-year-old field and scratch my head, but perhaps a cocktail or two will help ease your mind and lead to victory.
The perfect mint julep requires the right balance of the ingredients listed below. Enter the exotic wager! 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 tickets. I feel like this year’s field has as many options as Whiskey Row in Louisville, but after careful consideration, I will be looking at these four runners to come up smelling like roses: Irish War Cry, Classic Empire, McCraken, and Always Dreaming
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: Hence, Practical Joke, and Girvin
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 included. 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: Patch, Thunder Snow, Irap, and J Boys Echo
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: State of Honor, Fast and Accurate, Lookin’ At Lee, and Sonneteer
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! This is our happy hour so don your hats and bowties, belt out “My Old Kentucky Home” and enjoy a julep or five! See you in Louisville!