Cocktail lovers know when in Houston, Julep is a must-visit cocktail lounge.
Julep, a longtime “down-home” cocktail lounge led by James Beard Award-nominated bartender Alba Huerta, is where cocktail lovers of all stripes enjoy the craft and thought that goes into a fine drink. Not only the namesake julep, perfect for sweltering Houston days and nights, but also cocktails such as the Saint’s Gallery, a drink better suited to the advanced home cocktail aficionado. Both recipes are shared below.
Saint’s Gallery
1½ ounces Carpano Bianco
¾ ounce Black Grouse whiskey (or preferred Scotch whiskey)
½ ounce Bénédictine
Absinthe rinse
Baby’s breath sprig, for garnish
Stir all ingredients, minus the absinthe, and pour into a chilled Nick and Nora glass. Garnish with an organic baby’s breath sprig.
Mint Julep
10 mint leaves
½ oz simply syrup
2 ounces mid-80s – 90 proof bourbon
Powdered sugar
2 – 3 mint sprigs, for garnish
Place the mint leaves and syrup in the julep cup and lightly press with a muddler. Leave the muddler in the cup and add the bourbon, pouring it over the muddler to rinse it off. Stir with the muddler to mix. Fill the cup a little more than halfway with crushed ice, and stir with a barspoon 15 – 20 times. Add more ice to form a dome on top. Place the straw in the cup.
To garnish, press the mint sprigs between your fingers to release their aroma and tuck them into the ice next to the straw. Dust the mint sprigs with the powdered sugar.
For more information on Julep, visit the cocktail lounge’s website.
Photography: Julie Soefer