Dec 21, 2011

Antebellum Mint Julep

Before the Civil War made foreign products hard to come by in the South, French cognac was the preferred liquor in a mint julep. This recipe first appeared in the 2012 SAVEUR 100, with the article Cognac Cocktails.

Credit: Michael Kraus

MAKES 1 COCKTAIL

INGREDIENTS

2 tsp. superfine sugar
6 mint leaves, plus 4 sprigs for garnish
2 oz. cognac, such as Martell Cordon Bleu

INSTRUCTIONS

Stir sugar and 1 tbsp. water in a highball glass or silver julep cup until sugar dissolves. Add mint leaves; gently crush with a spoon. Fill glass with cracked ice and pour in cognac; stir until chilled, about 15 seconds. Fill glass with more ice; garnish with mint sprigs and two straws.