Irish Basil Julep

During the winter, my cocktail preferences usually turn to dark spirits: bourbon, rum, Scotch, and whiskeys, to name a few. It’s still cold but spring is almost upon us, and one of my personal favorite holidays is right around the corner, St. Patrick’s Day! Coming down the back stretch is another huge spring event, the Kentucky Derby! Traditional Mint Juleps are famously associated with the Derby, so this is a spin on both holidays.

This cocktail is garnished with the traditional colors of Ireland, green and orange, so you can display your Irish colors proudly. Just don’t spill any! Sláinte

Ingredients:
2 fresh basil leaves, plus a small stem for garnish
1 ¾ ounces Redbreast 12 Year Irish Whiskey
1 ½ cups dry vermouth
⅓ ounce Cointreau*
3 dashes orange bitters
2 dashes Angostura bitters
orange slice twist

To Serve: 
Place 2 basil leaves in a rocks glass and muddle slightly, discard
Slice orange into rounds, reserving 1 slice per glass for garnish
Fill a rocks glass with ice
Mix, whiskey, vermouth, Cointreau, and both bitters in a cocktail shaker, stir all well
Pour over ice
Garnish with an orange slice and sprig of basil

Serves 1
*Cointreau may be exchanged for other orange-flavor liquors such as Grand Marnier, Orange Curacao, Triple Sec.

Cheers,
Sue McNamara CS, CSW
Certified Sommelier, Court of Master Sommeliers
Certified Specialist of Wine, Society of Wine Educators

To obtain a copy of this recipe click on Irish Basil Julep

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