This weekend it is once again time for us all to tap into our Southern roots, whether real or imagined, and watch the Kentucky Derby! While I won’t be sporting a large flowery hat in front of my TV, I do plan to channel my inner southern belle, tear up a bit when they sing My Old Kentucky Home (I may be a Yankee but I’m not made of stone!), and sip a lovely Mint Julep.
Mint Julep
4 sprigs Mint
1 tsp. Superfine Sugar or Simple Syrup
2 tsps. Water
2 1/2 oz. Whiskey (Bourbon)
In a silver julep cup muddle mint leaves, sugar/syrup, and water. Fill cup with crushed ice and add bourbon. Top with more ice and garnish with a mint sprig and straw.
If you are anything like me and only take down those lovely silver julep cups once a year, you will probably find them horribly tarnished. Here is a little trick (learned from Martha Stewart of course) that I use every year to quickly get those cups sparkling again.
DIY Silver Polish
1. Wash cups with a mild dishwashing detergent
2. Place a sheet of aluminum foil in a large pot, place cups on top of foil.
3. Mix up about a 1/4 cup baking soda and 2 tablespoons salt per quart of hot or boiling water. Make enough of this mixture to fully cover your cups. Pour water mixture into the pot.
4. Cover the pot and let stand for at least five minutes. This make become a little stinky so walk away and maybe open a window.
5. Once the tarnish is removed, rinse and dry your cups. If any small bits of tarnish remain you can use a silver jewelry polishing cloth to remove it.
Will you be watching the Kentucky Derby this weekend? Any good tips on picking a winning horse? I have not picked a winner in quite some time, most likely because I pick the horses based on cuteness and name!
Image via southernliving
