Ultimate Mint Julep

I don't know about you, but I absolutely love, love, love mint! Like mint chocolate chips, mint ice cream, mint gum, minty puffy cookies like the ones Matthew's grandma makes, mojitos, Mentos, minty toothpaste, and of course, mint juleps. If you decide to make this delicious mint julep, I beg of thee to not use any bottled mint crap that they sell at the store...use real mint leaves, for crissakes. Believe me, it makes all the difference in the world. Now, one thing I did change in this recipe is that I used Jameson Irish whiskey—yes, I know sacrilege—however the darn thing still tasted pretty good. Cheers, y'all!

INGREDIENTS (makes 1 cocktail)

• 10 mint leaves, plus a sprig for garnish
• 1 ½ teaspoons superfine sugar**
• Seltzer water
• Crushed ice
• 2 ½ ounces Kentucky bourbon whiskey

DIRECTIONS

Place the mint leaves in the bottom of an old-fashioned glass and top with the sugar. Muddle these together until the leaves begin to break down. Add a splash of seltzer water, fill the glass 3/4 full with crushed ice, and add the bourbon. Top with another splash of seltzer, stir, and garnish with a sprig of mint.

**To make superfine sugar, simply put ¼ cup regular white sugar in a food processor. Process until sugar is less grainy, and has a more powdery look to it, about 15 to 30 seconds.

Ultimate Bloody Mary

We all have gifts: I have the gift of cooking. Matthew has the gift of handiwork. My sister—and my sister-in-law—have the gift of shopping, and my brother, Tom, has the gift of making excellent Bloody Marys. Below is, more or less, his secret recipe. I was only able to figure [part] of it out by spying on him.

I don't particularly like my bloody Mary’s super spicy, so you can add more Tabasco or Shirasa to yours, if you prefer. Remember to first run a cut lime around the rim of the glass before you dip it in the celery salt. Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS (makes 1 cocktail)

• celery salt
• 1 ½ - 2 oz vodka
• dash ground black pepper
• dash of salt
• 1 dash Worcestershire sauce
• 1 dash Tabasco® sauce
• 1 dash of Shirasa chili sauce (optional)
• 2 to 3 green olives
• 2 to 3 cocktail onions
• spoonful of baby clams
• Clamato juice

DIRECTIONS

Rim a tall glass with celery salt. Fill it with clean ice and the rest of the ingredients. Garnish with a celery stick and lime.