A horse named “Fear The Kitten” will be in the Kentucky Derby.
My favorite Kentucky Derby themed song:
Share your favorite mint julep recipe.
That’s all I’ve got.
by DougJ| 65 Comments
This post is in: Sports
A horse named “Fear The Kitten” will be in the Kentucky Derby.
My favorite Kentucky Derby themed song:
Share your favorite mint julep recipe.
That’s all I’ve got.
Comments are closed.
c u n d gulag
Straight bourbon, as high a proof as I can find, neat, with a mint lifesaver that I spit out, before I take that first sip.
Violet
It’s not about the Kentucky Derby, but Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain” mentions Saratoga and a horse. That’s my favorite horse race mention song.
ranchandsyrup
NOT my favorite: Julep that used mint “caviar” (spherification) at one of those molecular gastronomy joints. I almost puked.
dedc79
Chips Ahoy! is a good horse racing/betting song, although not about the Derby.
Violet
Don’t do mint juleps. Can’t stand bourbon. Give me something else to drink.
Bubblegum Tate
Fuck mint juleps. Let’s talk about single malt scotch. What doth BJers say is the next level up from your basic Glenlivets/Cragganmores? Out of sheer curiosity, I tried a Laphroaig 10, and…I’m not quite there yet. A little too smoky for now. I figure I can work my way there, though.
raven
Spike Jones William Tell
There goes Feddlebaum. . .
dedc79
@Bubblegum Tate: can’t go wrong with macallan 12
Trollhattan
All I need to know about the Derby is in Hunter S. Thompson’s tale of attending, and eventually macing folks during the drunken melee. Good times.
Cassidy
Jack Daniels Honey with Ginger Ale. Add some mint if you want something minty.
Seanly
Ah, yes, one of the big horse races is coming up. Time for the media to start flogging their “this horse is totally going to win the Triple Crown this year” nonsense. And the all day fawning media coverage of a 5 minute race.
Villago Delenda Est
@Bubblegum Tate:
Taste the peat!
MikeJ
@Bubblegum Tate: Smokey scotch doesn’t make you more of a man. That’s less about age than it is region. Stay away from the islands. I’m partial to Speyside. Balvenie, Macallan, etc.
BTW, Costco had an own brand 16 yr old single malt produced by Macallan. Pretty darned good and quite a bit less than the famous label.
Gin & Tonic
@Bubblegum Tate: Tried Lagavulin? Not *quite* as assertive.
MikeJ
Cripple Creek by The Band?
Good luck had just stung me, to the race track I did go
She bet on one horse to win and I bet on another to show
The odds were in my favor, I had ’em five to one
When that nag to win came around the track, sure enough she had won
Villago Delenda Est
@Seanly:
The last time they could legitimately get away with that was in 1977.
Since then, it’s all been “we need another Secretariat” just like the PGA tour desperately needs another Tiger Woods.
Nicole
@Seanly: Two minute race. And it’s THE TWO MOST EXCITING MINUTES IN SPORTS.
Post position draw tomorrow.
MikeJ
Fugue for Tinhorns
scav
@Villago Delenda Est: Some of us do like our malts and beers chewy and, preferably, nearly opaque. What can you do?
raven
@MikeJ: We had Spike Jones on the box.
raven
Jerry Garcia/John Kahn – Run For The Roses
Tokyokie
The only scotch of which I’m a frequent consumer usually comes with one sticky side, although there are double sticky side permutations. Seriously, the couple of times I’ve tried high-end scotch it was a complete waste; I don’t know the good stuff from the bad stuff or what subtleties I should be experiencing. I guess it comes from a lifetime of not drinking.
raven
George Jones – The Race Is On
raven
Dan Fogelberg – Run For The Roses
Doug
March 30, 1937
My dear General Connor,
Your letter requesting my formula for mixing mint juleps leaves me in the same position in which Captain Barber found himself when asked how he was able to carve the image of an elephant from a block of wood. He replied that it was a simple process consisting merely of whittling off the part that didn’t look like an elephant.
The preparation of the quintessence of gentlemanly beverages can be described only in like terms. A mint julep is not the product of a FORMULA. It is a CEREMONY and must be performed by a gentleman possessing a true sense of the artistic, a deep reverence for the ingredients and a proper appreciation of the occasion. It is a rite that must not be entrusted to a novice, a statistician, nor a Yankee. It is a heritage of the old South, an emblem of hospitality and a vehicle in which noble minds can travel together upon the flower-strewn paths of happy and congenial thought.
So far as the mere mechanics of the operation are concerned, the procedure, stripped of its ceremonial embellishments, can be described as follows:
Go to a spring where cool, crystal-clear water bubbles from under a bank of dew-washed ferns. In a consecrated vessel, dip up a little water at the source. Follow the stream through its banks of green moss and wildflowers until it broadens and trickles through beds of mint growing in aromatic profusion and waving softly in the summer breezes. Gather the sweetest and tenderest shoots and gently carry them home. Go to the sideboard and select a decanter of Kentucky Bourbon, distilled by a master hand, mellowed with age yet still vigorous and inspiring. An ancestral sugar bowl, a row of silver goblets, some spoons and some ice and you are ready to start.
In a canvas bag, pound twice as much ice as you think you will need. Make it fine as snow, keep it dry and do not allow it to degenerate into slush.
In each goblet, put a slightly heaping teaspoonful of granulated sugar, barely cover this with spring water and slightly bruise one mint leaf into this, leaving the spoon in the goblet. Then pour elixir from the decanter until the goblets are about one-fourth full. Fill the goblets with snowy ice, sprinkling in a small amount of sugar as you fill. Wipe the outsides of the goblets dry and embellish copiously with mint.
Then comes the important and delicate operation of frosting. By proper manipulation of the spoon, the ingredients are circulated and blended until Nature, wishing to take a further hand and add another of its beautiful phenomena, encrusts the whole in a glittering coat of white frost. Thus harmoniously blended by the deft touches of a skilled hand, you have a beverage eminently appropriate for honorable men and beautiful women.
When all is ready, assemble your guests on the porch or in the garden, where the aroma of the juleps will rise Heavenward and make the birds sing. Propose a worthy toast, raise the goblet to your lips, bury your nose in the mint, inhale a deep breath of its fragrance and sip the nectar of the gods.
Being overcome by thirst, I can write no further.
Sincerely,
S.B. Buckner, Jr.
http://www.thebucknerhome.com/julep/recipe.html
BGinCHI
1 part rye
1 part lemon juice
mint leaves
punch Mitch McConnell in the neck, vigorously
ranchandsyrup
@raven: I knew that there was a GD related song that fit. I got stuck on I Know Your Rider. Well done.
scav
@BGinCHI: CHI-CA-GO!
MikeJ
@Doug: For mere mortals, using simple syrup rather than sugar makes things much easier. It’s also an extra chance to infuse some mint flavour.
Put a cup of sugar and a cup of water in a pot. Gently heat it and stir until the sugar is suspended. Muddle some mint into the mixture. Remove from heat. Let the mint steep as long as you would like, but strain before using in the drinks.
Make sure you still have a sprig of mint sticking out of the top of the drink even though you’ve added mint flavour. You need to be able to smell it while drinking.
ranchandsyrup
@BGinCHI: I’m unsure about punching Yertle in the neck. Your fist may get stuck in the neckfolds and you’ll be attached to him 4eva. But I like where your head’s at.
Bubblegum Tate
Have not tried a Macallan yet–will make that one my next bottle, I think. Then maybe step over to the lowlands and give that a try.
And really, the big reason I even tried Laphoaig at all is because I read that very interesting New Yorker article that was about single-malts in general, but particularly focused on Laphroaig, so I figured I’d see what all the fuss was about. But yeah…too much peat/smoke for me.
Roxy
Hey mint julep was Dr. McCoy’s favorite drink. His southern accent would come out when he had a few.
lamh35
Speaking of Kentucky, So I guess that’s its then. No one’s gonna run against McConnell? Haven’t heard from the Clinton favorite and so far no one from McConnells right, I is it too soon? Seems to me McConnell has the luxury of saving all his money and just pushing up his numbers so that by the time anyone gets in, til be too late.
Villago Delenda Est
@Doug:
Given that the procedure, “stripped of its ceremonial embellishments”, is akin to finding more tinsel under the tinsel of Hollywood, I take it that the journey is more important than the destination to Mr. Buckner.
raven
@ranchandsyrup: Well, I’m not interested in the booze so I had more time to think!
ranchandsyrup
@raven: Heh. There are botanical/chemical reasons I can’t remember the good old GD days……ah, to be young.
jibeaux
@Bubblegum Tate: What’s funny is “You’ll Get There” is Laphroaig’s tagline. They have a series of cartoon ads that are pretty cute centered around that.
I read a not very great werewolf novel in which the main character — a werewolf gentleman — always drinks Oban. Once when he gets it he thinks it tastes off and wonders if they brought him Laphroaig. It turns out to be …. poisoned!
Sister Rail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism
@Doug:
IOW, it’s a Southern cha no yu.
Though the step after bruising the mint leaf, properly, should be “throw all that other shit away and drink the bourbon.”
johnny aquitard
Tom Waits FTW!
But I don’t like mint juleps.
Elizabelle
@BGinCHI:
Works for teetotalers too.
Rosalita
@Bubblegum Tate: I can’t tolerate Laphroaig,for the same reason. I favor Macallan 12 year, Balvenie is also good and Dalwhinnie too. Why pick just one?
johnny aquitard
Making mint juleps sounds a lot like like making ataya in that the ritual is part of it. Just substitute the bourbon with tea and mix by stylized pouring not artful stirring.
Origuy
Glenfarclas is a step up from Glenlivet, still staying in the Speyside style. I got a taste of the 30-year-old when I visited the distillery. Just got lucky as they were shutting down for the day. Oban is a Highland whisky; they tend to be less peaty than the Islays. Lagavulin is my favorite of the Islay whiskies, although Caol Ila is close behind.
I did like the Costco Speyside for the price.
Citizen_X
Not a Kentucky Derby song, but here’s the Specials’ version of Longshot Kick the Bucket.
TheOtherWA
I think an nerd bet is in order for this race. There are two horses with kitten names, Fear the Kitten and Charming Kitten. Have to study them more once the post positions are announced tomorrow.
khead
Fear The Kitten @ ~ 50-1
Charming Kitten @ ~ 50-1
= miracle cat exacta
Edit: heh. Nerd bet.
The prophet Nostradumbass
The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved.
a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)
@dedc79: Exactly what I was going to say. Mr. Q actually prefers it to the Macallan 15 he had, um, prior to my arrival in his daily life.
gogol's wife
@Bubblegum Tate:
Highland Park.
Comrade Dread
My favorite mint julep recipe involves throwing out the mint leaves, sugar, and water.
And then I ponder the question as to why a man who is not an 18th century plantation owner, would ever ruin a perfectly good bottle of bourbon.
Studly Pantload, the emotionally unavailable unicorn
@Bubblegum Tate: Laphroig was the first single-malt Scotch I’d ever tasted. I’d ordered it at a bar and noted that, what the hell?, it tasted like melted plastic. But I did finish it, then gratefully switched back to the Evan Williams Single Barrel.
But that funky, melty taste haunted me, and I found myself having to try it again on my next outting to that bar. And then I was hooked on the flavor, and now Islay malts are generally the only Scotch I go for.
Beatrice
This song isn’t really about the Kentucky Derby but it’s a wonderful song and I always think of it this time of year.
“I put a bet on with a bookie
For the race they put on over in Kentucky.
It’s lovely at this time of year, so they say,
And I’ve got to get away.”
— I’m a Dreamer,Sandy Denny
BrianM
@Bubblegum Tate:
Macallan is a good choice. Edradour is in a similar style and in my opinion better, though my opinion might be slanted because Mrs. M and I visited the Edradour distillery on our honeymoon lo these many years ago.
Nicole
Not about the Kentucky Derby, but I am a sucker for Peter Paul & Mary’s version of “Stewball.”
Re: The kitten duo in the race- they are both sired by Kitten’s Joy, a pretty good turf horse from a few years ago. Turf, as in, grass. I can’t figure out why they’re being run in a dirt race, but you never know. Giacomo and Mine That Bird both went off at 50-1 and they both wore the roses at the end.
gelfling545
Fugue for Tinhorns
Bubblegum Tate
@Studly Pantload, the emotionally unavailable unicorn:
I could see that happening for me, too, but over time. I’m not in any particular hurry, anyway.
And thanks for the recommendations, all! I think I’ve got my next few bottles lined up.
EdTheRed
Thanks and praises
Thanks to Jesus
I bet on the Bottle of Smoke
I went to Hell
And to the races
To bet on the Bottle of Smoke
The day being clear
The sky being bright
He came up on the left
Like a streak of light
Like a drunken fuck
On a Saturday night
Up came the Bottle of Smoke
Twenty fucking five to one
My gambling days are done
I bet on a horse called the Bottle of Smoke
And my horse won
Stewards inquiries
Swift and fiery
I had the Bottle of Smoke
Inquisitions and suppositions
I had the Bottle of Smoke
Fuck the stewards
A trip to Lourdes
Might give the old fuckers
The power of sight
Screaming springers and stoppers
And call out coppers
But the money still gleams in my hand like a light
Bookies cursing
Cars reversing
I had the Bottle of Smoke
Glasses steaming
Vessels bursting
I had the Bottle of Smoke
Slip a fifty to the wife
And for each brat a crisp new five
To give me a break on a Saturday night
When I had the Bottle of Smoke
Priests and maidens
Drunk as pagans
They had the Bottle of Smoke
Sins forgiven and celebrations
They had the Bottle of Smoke
Fuck the Yanks
And drink their wives
The moon is clear
The sky is bright
I’m happy as the horses shite
Up came the Bottle of Smoke
Izzy
Can’t talk about Dead Flowers without mentioning one of the great cover’s of all time: Townes Van Zandt’s.
Macallan’s lovely. Oban is another fairly accessible favorite. Highland Park 12 is pretty drinkable and not too difficult.
Gregory
Decent bourbon, neat. I grew up in Kentucky; mint juleps are for tourists.
@Trollhattan:
Enjoy!
Wally Ballou
I got the horse right here, his name is Paul Revere…
jake the snake
What is it about Scotch? I realize most things are an acquired taste, but I tried Scotch once and I might as well have been drinking V. O. Maybe I should try one of the more expensive brands.
Give me Wild Turkey, Makers Mark, or Ancient Age in a pinch.
If you don’t like Bourbon, you probably tried that Buckeye piss they sell as Jim Beam. Hell, Jack Daniels is better than that stuff.
SiubhanDuinne
@raven:
I always thought it was Beetlebomb.
Bonnie
Great guitar work! Thanks for the video. Never thought it was about the Kentucky Derby, though.
Mnemosyne
My favorite mint julep recipe involves substituting rum for the bourbon.
The Cubans know better than the rednecks, my friends.
Wally Ballou
@jake the snake: Any bourbon beats cheap scotch, but really good single malt trumps even the best bourbon, IMO.