05/05/07 - Mint Juleps or Margaritas?

[PeppyGPhiB]

People here don't celebrate the Derby at all, probably because it's so far away. They watch it on TV maybe if they're around a TV, but that's it.

Here in Seattle May 5 is the opening day of the boating season, so a whole lotta Seattleites will be out on the water, tailgating, eating salmon and dungeness crab, and watching the regatta. I bet most don't even know the Derby is going on. The boats started lining up along the boom a couple days ago.

Cinco de Mayo is one of those "holidays of convenience" for a lot of people, just like St. Patty's Day. People in Ireland never used to do anything on St. Patty's Day, either, in fact it was a very religious holiday. Then the American tourists started bringing the party there and now people in Ireland actually party on that holiday.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

Cinco de Mayo is one of those "holidays of convenience" for a lot of people, just like St. Patty's Day. People in Ireland never used to do anything on St. Patty's Day, either, in fact it was a very religious holiday. Then the American tourists started bringing the party there and now people in Ireland actually party on that holiday.

I do kinda agree with this. Cinco de Mayo was actually the day of a battle--the battle of Puebla...but in retrospect it was very insignificant, and not widely celebrated. You might see some areas in Mexico that will celebrate it, but overall it is not a widely celebrated holiday. Ever since I was little I was taught to believe that us Americans celebrate to get drunk. Many people actually believe that Cinco de Mayo is Mexican Independence Day which is very to me! (P.S. Mexican Independence Day is Sept. 16)

[honeychile]

Reading this recipe in the Post-Gazette made me realize that the Pittsburgh foodie isn't from and has never lived in the South:

"Originally, juleps were served in sterling silver cups or mugs. The reason is that silver is an excellent heat conductor, which allows a beautiful white coating of frost to form on the outside of the mug.

"While silver is still preferred on the verandas of the wealthy, inexpensive glasses that can go into the dishwasher are favored by the rest of us."

[the recipe part of the article]:

"Into the bottom of a 14-ounce glass, place a big sprig of fresh mint leaves and a heaping teaspoon of sugar. Splash in soda water to fill one-third of the glass.

With the back of a spoon or a pestle, muddle and crush the mint. Add crushed ice to the top of the glass. It looks like way too much. It's not.

Pour a shot of bourbon over the ice.

Our bartender poured Maker's Mark from a spout top. (I can never figure out how they know how much is enough. It looked like lots more than a shot.) Give the drink a good stir. Now add crushed ice to round up over the rim of the glass like a snow cone. Swirl another shot of Maker's Mark bourbon over the top. The crushed ice will settle some.

Tuck a large, fresh sprig of mint into the glass, and sprinkle a little sugar over the mint, about one-half teaspoon. Top with a lemon twist, add a straw and serve."

**
One of the things I was definitely taught about making juleps was to frost the cups and to refrigerate the tray, as you don't want to ruin the frost on the tumblers. I see nothing about that in the article - but I was also told to make a mint syrup without bruising the mint for a better julep. I've had them with crushed mint leaves, and really can't tell much of a difference (especially after a few...).

[Trey_P-I_47]

Yes Cinco de Mayo is pretty much a convenience holiday more than anything else.........it is just another day for us college kids to get drunk for no reason and throw big parties.....although a holiday really isnt even needed for that to begin with.