Few cocktails are more refreshing than the classic mint julep — but did you know it was also used for medicinal purposes back in the day? Talk about a spoonful of sugar! While I can’t really claim that any cocktail is truly “healthy,” this version does contain fresh ginger, mint lemon, and agave syrup, which could easily be at home in a healthy smoothie. The traditional mint julep is made with bourbon — here I’ve swapped bourbon for tequila. Fresh ginger, for all its good qualities, can have quite a spicy kick to it, so tread carefully and only add as much as you can handle. You need to treat the fresh mint leaves with a bit of TLC too. Gently bruise them to release their aromatic oils. Read on for the recipe!
Ingredients:
- 5-10 fresh mint leaves; reserve 1 to garnish the drink
- 2 fluid ounces reposado tequila
- small piece fresh ginger
- 1 Tablespoon agave syrup, or to taste
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 large handfuls fresh ice (or crushed ice)
Instructions:
- Put the ice cubes into a blender and blitz until finely crushed. Alternatively, buy a bag of crushed ice.
- Peel the ginger and use a box grater to grate it finely.
- Squeeze the ginger in your hand to release the juice into a clean glass.
- Add the lemon juice and pour in the agave syrup.
- Add the mint leaves and gently bruise with a muddling spoon or a clean rolling pin.
- Pour in the tequila and stir.
- Add enough crushed ice to fill the glass just below the rim and stir again.
- Thread a mint leaf through a cocktail stick to garnish, and add a straw. Happy sipping!
Put the ice cubes into a blender and blitz until finely crushed. Alternatively, buy a bag of crushed ice. Peel the ginger and use a box grater to grate it finely.
Squeeze the ginger in your hand to release the juice into a clean glass. Add the lemon juice.
Pour in the agave syrup. Add the mint leaves and gently bruise with a muddling spoon or a clean rolling pin.
Pour in the tequila and stir. Add enough crushed ice to fill the glass just below the rim and stir again.
Thread a mint leaf through a cocktail stick to garnish, and add a straw. Happy sipping!
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