Drinks & Cocktails

Ginger Julep

July 31, 2014

Oh how I love a good cocktail. No matter where I am drinking one, even if it’s on my couch, I feel like I’m somewhere special having a grand time. It could be simple like my go to Jack & Coke, or you can get fancy, like this Ginger Julep! I adore mint juleps and this one takes that classic drink and spices it up with ginger. There’s also a touch of orange juice to round out the flavors. The drink starts by making your own ginger-mint syrup. It’s really quite easy to make simple syrups and the flavor possibilities are endless. This one has mint, ginger, and orange peel. Once your syrup is ready and cooled, pour it in a glass with orange juice and good bourbon. Garnish with crushed ice and more mint and you’ve got one fancy cocktail! (Even if you’re like me and drink it on the couch in your yoga pants.)

Ginger Julep

So, how’s it taste?

I really liked the addition of ginger in this drink, but I couldn’t taste it as strong as I wanted to. I really wanted to be slapped in the face with that spicy ginger goodness. So next time, I’m going to amp up the ginger in the syrup big time. Even though the ginger wasn’t so prominent, I loved this drink. I added a bit more orange juice to mine because what does slap you in the face is the bourbon. I love me some bourbon, but it was too strong for my taste. So in my cocktail I added another tablespoon of the ginger-mint syrup and a few more splashes of o.j. Perfect! I’ll be sipping on this baby come gameday…which we we are sooooo close to football season! Squee!

Ginger Julep

Anyone watching Orange is the New Black? I think I’m the last person to catch on to it, but it’s awesome! The characters are so over-the-top ridiculous and the stuff that happens to the main character is so funny. It does have its touching moments telling the backstory of each inmate. It also has some Whoa simmer down! moments since it’s not on regular TV. I hate when shows on those networks push it too far because they can. I don’t need to see an image of a hoo-haa to get the storyline about an image of a hoo-haa. Okay? I’m almost finished with the first season and I’ll be binge-watching the second. What are you watching these days?

Ginger-Mint Syrup

Yield: 1 serving

Ginger Julep

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz. bourbon
1 1/2 oz. fresh orange juice
1 tbsp. ginger-mint syrup
Crushed ice, for garnish
Mint sprig, for garnish

Ginger-Mint Syrup
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups water
1/4 lb. fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
One 3-inch piece of orange peel
1/4 cup lightly packed mint leaves

Directions:

1. For the syrup, in a small saucepan, bring the sugar and water to a boil; simmer until the sugar is dissolved, 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the ginger, orange peel, and mint. Let the syrup cool completely, 1 hour; strain through a fine sieve before using. The syrup can be refrigerated for up to 1 month.

2.Β For the julep, in a chilled julep cup or glass, combine the bourbon with the orange juice and ginger-mint syrup and stir well. Fill the cup with crushed ice and mix, spinning with a swizzle stick or bar spoon. Top with additional crushed ice and garnish with the mint sprig.

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  • amanda @ fake ginger July 31, 2014 at 9:37 am

    Oooh, I totally want one of these! I’ve never had any kind of julep – isn’t that crazy?! I binge-watched both seasons of OITNB. Love it! I need to find a new show to watch.

  • Olivia - Primavera Kitchen July 31, 2014 at 10:13 am

    Wish I could reach into the screen and have a sip of this gorgeous drink. Looking forward to trying this recipe.

  • Shannon @ Bake. Frost. Repeat. July 31, 2014 at 11:19 am

    Looks amazing! I WILL be expecting one (or more) of these the last weekend of Sept. I try to stay away from binge-watching things since my last binge-watching session of The Walking Dead (which I’m totes addicted to now). However, The Bridge on FX just started its second season and I watch it religiously.

  • Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy July 31, 2014 at 12:00 pm

    This sounds like my kind of cocktail! I love gingery drinks. I can convince myself that they are healthy πŸ˜‰

  • Annie @Maebells July 31, 2014 at 4:38 pm

    Yum!! Is it Friday yet?! πŸ˜‰

  • cheri July 31, 2014 at 5:02 pm

    Hi Leah, this sounds delicious, love the ginger aspect to it!

  • mary @ minutes per mile July 31, 2014 at 5:29 pm

    haha, love your comments TV shows going nuts. i feel like every good show i watch is good until about the 3rd season, when there’s always some weird and usually very sexual twist and everyone starts sleeping together. anyways. the point i wanted to make here was that the drink looks awesome! i really want to get into football this fall (now that i live down south again, i basically have to) and will need plenty of booze to fuel me through. πŸ™‚

  • Kathi @ Deliciously Yum! July 31, 2014 at 10:44 pm

    When I first saw the name of this recipe, I was so excited. I love me some mint, but I bet ginger makes this cocktail even better :). It’s the perfect drink to beat the heat!!!

  • Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron July 31, 2014 at 11:12 pm

    Oooh these look delicious! I have made a few drinks with a ginger simple syrup, and I found in order to seriously amp up the ginger flavor I had to add a touch of ground ginger.
    We powered through the new season of Orange is the New Black…and now we have to wait forever for the new season…booo! Love that show.

  • Thalia @ butter and brioche August 1, 2014 at 12:06 am

    i definitely could kick back and relax with one of these right now.. they look divine! i love ginger and booze when mixed together, its definitely one of the great alcohol combinations!

  • Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice August 1, 2014 at 10:30 am

    What a creative drink, Leah! I don’t think I’ve tried a ginger one before, so this sounds fabulous!

  • Natalie @ Tastes Lovely August 1, 2014 at 11:23 am

    Well I know what I’m making for cocktail hour tonight! I’ll be virtually cheersing you around 5pm California time!

  • Kelly August 1, 2014 at 12:38 pm

    This sounds so good, Leah! Love that you added a ginger twist to this cocktail – such a great recipe! Perfect for cocktail hour πŸ™‚

  • Karen - 2Teaspoons August 1, 2014 at 12:39 pm

    I love ginger everything and have always wanted to try a regular julep! This may just be a perfect combination for me. I’ll definitely take your advice and up the ginger…I like that smack you in the face spicy ginger goodness too πŸ™‚

  • Arpita@ The Gastronomic Bong August 2, 2014 at 5:57 pm

    I love cocktails. . This is absolutely my kinda drink.. very gingery and refreshing. . :D:D

  • Lesley Eats August 4, 2014 at 1:33 pm

    This looks delicious. I love ginger in just about any form.

    And I completely agree about OITNB. The gratuitous nudity just seems so unnecessary!

  • Isadora August 5, 2014 at 9:45 pm

    I’m mainly a wine drinker, but I love the occasional cocktail! It does make you feel fancy to have one! Ginger is one of my favorite flavors, so I know I would love these!

  • Maryanne @ the little epicurean August 9, 2014 at 3:34 am

    I love everything about this! You had my attention as soon as I recognized that Woodford Reserve bottle! πŸ™‚

  • Russell from Chasing Delicious August 21, 2014 at 6:42 pm

    Now this is my kind of julep. Delicious!

  • The Libationer September 23, 2014 at 4:22 pm

    I love the sound of the ginger-mint combination. Ginger syrup is one of my favorite secret cocktail ingredients, but I haven’t thought before to use mint as well. You said that the ginger could use amping up a bit. How about the mint? Proportions seem good to you?

    • Leah Short September 23, 2014 at 4:39 pm

      Hi there! I thought the mint was a good amount. Plus I usually dunk my garnish sprig in the drink, so that makes it extra minty.