I read this recipe in my local paper and immediately dropped what I was doing and whipped one up. It was love at first sip. I finished the drink in seconds, made the coffee, woke my wife up, poured my cereal and got dressed. A take on the classic Mint Julep, this peach version celebrates the short seasoned fruit in grand style. You’ll need fresh mint and ripe peaches so prepare a day or two ahead of time for this drink.

Here we go –

• 2 ripe peach slices
• 2 ½ oz Bourbon
• ½ oz ginger syrup *
• 8-10 mint leaves
• crushed ice

Combine bourbon, syrup, mint and peaches in a mixing cup or glass. Muddle gently, crushing the peaches and bruising the mint leaves. Let mixture sit for 3 minutes. Pack an old-fashioned or hi-ball glass with crushed ice. Pour the contents of the mixing glass through a strainer into the glass. Add straw and a sprig of mint as garnish.

* To make Ginger Simple Syrup, boil two cups of sugar with 2 cups of water. Stir while boiling ‘til clear. Add the grated flesh of a peeled ginger root to mixture as it boils. Let cool to room temperature then strain, leaving only the fluid (no ginger chunks). Bottle and store in the fridge up to a month.

Bourbon, Cocktail Recipes.