Honey Mint Julep – the tastiest honey cocktail!

So I’m on vacation right now in the South and I’m scheduling a few posts, so I’m writing to you FROM THE PAST right now.

Mint Juleps are my favorite summer cocktail – they’re a no brainer when you have a mint plant in the garden that just won’t quit.  I also, no surprise, have a little honey around (not mine yet, but local and raw and tasty).  So I decided to make my own version of the classic.

First of all – Minty Honey Simple Syrup:

Fill a mason jar (or equivalent) about a third full of mint leaves.  Then 1/2-2/3 full of tap water as hot as you can get it to come out.  The rest of the space in the jar should be filled with honey!  Leave a little “headspace” in there for future shaking.  I like to stir or swirl it a little at first as it’s cooling and then close it up and give it a good shake.  I’d steep that as is for at least 20-30 minutes…get it good and minty.  Shake it occasionally.  I like to make mine the night before and then leave it in the fridge to really get good and steeped.

Next, strain all the leaves out – and combine with a good bourbon (Four Roses is my current fave) at 1 part syrup to 2 parts bourbon.  I like mine sweet!  I’ve also seen a shot an a half of bourbon to 2.5 tablespoons of syrup…but that’s too precise for my taste.

Serve over crushed ice in a julep cup if you’ve got the gear…or regular ice in something you like drinking out of…and obviously garnish with more fresh mint.  Delish!

Could also be consumed IN the actual garden….it’s worth considering.

Also, today is my mother’s birthday – so feel free to raise a glass to her.  I think she’d approve.

June Garden Tour!

Heirloom Helios Radishes – First Harvest!

Not my usual garden helper – Connie the Basset Hound!  She belongs to my neighbor.

Baby Raspberry.

Black Currants waiting for their garden space in black, Minnesota Midget Melon in the white bucket, grill, Mexican Gherkin cuke, loooooooofffffaaaaassss!!!! and carrots in the long boxes.

Baby watermelons that needed more space, carrots, loofas with a few early beets because I needed a spot for them.

My prettiest part.  Top Row: Basil, Rosemary, Mint, Passiflora Incarnata Middle: Chamomile, Poppy, Calendula, Tarragon, more Chamomile, more Tarragon.  Bottom: Strawberry, Dill, Tomato Seedlings (up for grabs), Bee Balm, More Seedlings, Stevia (I think), more Bee Balm

Lavender ,Cabbages Onions, Salad, Beans/Peas

Proper Beet fields, Sprouts, Onions, Cabbages, Salad is hiding but it’s there, beans and peas….another cuke by the fence…and the corner of my asparagus bag.

Baby Tomato Forest…and Marigolds…and a gnome…and some chard.

Close up on the passiflora and my newest adorable pot.