Peach Juleps

It's happy hour and I decided to prepare refreshing Peach Julep cocktails using some of the ripe peaches I got in Georgia.  Okay, honestly, I used the peaches as a garnish for Martha Stewart's recipe.

Martha Stewart's Peach Juleps:
1/3 cup fresh mint leaves, plus sprigs for garnish
2 teaspoons sugar
1 1/2 cups store-bought peach juice
1 can (12 ounces) club soda
1/2 cup bourbon
Crushed ice, for serving
Georgia peaches

In a medium bowl or pitcher, combine mint and sugar.  With a wooden spoon, mash leaves until bruised. Stir in peach juice, club soda, and bourbon.  Serve over crushed ice, garnish with mint, and add a mint julep straw/spoon.  Of course, I added a Georgia peach wedge.  Serves 6

If you have never used a mint julep straw/spoon, there is etiquette to be followed:
It is considered proper to drink mint juleps with a sterling mint julep straw/spoon.  Simply use the spoon to stir the julep and sip your beverage through the tiny hole at the end.  This is one of the very few times a lady should use a straw to drink a beverage.  It is also acceptable to use a straw when you are drinking a coke out of a can or when you've "taken ill and are in the bed."

A sterling mint julep straw/spoon...stir with one end and sip from the other...Could you possibly get more Southern?

Apple Juleps...Southern Style

It's that time of year when I long for the days when Mama and Daddy would take me to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Mama and I would shop like socialites while Daddy sat on the nearest bench...just waiting patiently until we ran out of money.

Pigeon Forge is located near Gatlinburg, Tennessee and is a popular destination for those traveling to see "The leaves changing" during Autumn. The area is also known to shopaholics as as the home of the "Outlet Malls of All Outlet Malls!"But, my most wonderful memory of those trips were our meals at The Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant. Lord have mercy, it's like the The Cracker Barrel heaven! They have THE BEST country cooking...Apple fritters, fried pork chops, applesauce muffins, apple butter, chicken and dumplings, and the list goes on an on. We were never disappointed!

But what do I remember most about the Applewood Restaurant? The Apple Juleps! This is the beverage that was served complimentary to all guests at the restaurant.

With the arrival of Autumn, last night I served Apple Juleps...in mint julep cups!

Etiquette tip: It is considered proper to drink Apple Juleps with a sterling mint julep straw/spoon. Simply use the spoon to stir the julep and sip your beverage through the tiny hole at the other end. This is one of the very few times a lady should use a straw to drink a beverage. It's also acceptable to use a straw when you are drinking a coke out of a can, a large to-go cup of sweet tea, a cold Starbuck's beverage, or when you have taken ill and are in the the bed.

A sterling mint julep straw/spoon...stir with one end and sip from the other.
Recipe for the Apple Julep:
1 quart unsweetened apple juice, chilled
1 cup unsweetened pineapple juice, chilled

1/4 cup lemon juice, chilled
Garnish with apple slices or mint sprigs

Combine all the ingredients with ice cubes. Enjoy! Happy Autumn y'all!

HAPPY MAY DAY AND RUN FOR THE ROSES!

Tomorrow is May Day & The Kentucky Derby...a huge day in the South! However, there will be no pretty 'May Day Baskets' or mint juleps in my day! Beginning at 6:00 tonight and ending tomorrow at noon, I will be participating in the Cancer Society's Relay for Life to honor and support my friend Jan Taylor, who is battling liver cancer. You can read more about this story here. This time tomorrow, I will hopefully be resting my poor ole feet and snoozing!

I thought I would show y'all a previous blog post I did about 'May Day Baskets' and the Derby...

~May Day Basket~
I think it's such a sweet tradition (bringing in May) to create a May Day Basket and leave it on someone's door handle--just ring the bell and scoot! You can give them to friends, family, or elderly neighbors. The basket can be of any shape or style and contain flowers, cookies, candy, or maybe even tea and scones. For my basket, I used a green toile container, added some fresh spring flowers, and a green gingham ribbon to tie the basket to the door handle...very simple, very Southern.
~ Run for the Roses~
And they're off! Tomorrow, at 6:24 p.m. E.S.T. it's post time for the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby. In the world of sports, there is not a more moving moment than the one when the horses step onto the track for the Kentucky Derby post parade and the band strikes up "My Old Kentucky Home." Those ladies decked out in their spring outfits and gorgeous hats, what a fashion parade!

On Derby Day it's time for mint juleps*. It's not surprising that mint juleps are popular in the South, mint is a symbol of hospitality and this drink brings forth the ideal image of genteel gatherings sprinkled with that sweet Southern drawl...

It is considered proper to drink mint juleps with a sterling mint julep straw/spoon. Simply use the spoon to stir the julep and sip your beverage through the tiny hole at the end. This is one of the very few times a lady should use a straw to drink a beverage. It's also acceptable to use a straw when you are drinking a coke out of a can or when you've "taken ill and are in the bed."

A sterling mint julep straw/spoon...stir with one end and sip from the other...Could you possibly get more Southern?

*Recipe for Miss Janice's Mint Julep
1 tblsp. granulated sugar
8 mint leaves
1 tblsp. water
4 oz. Kentucky bourban
Crushed ice
Sprig of fresh mint

Place sugar and mint leaves in a small bowl. Bruise mint well and muddle with sugar until they form paste. Add water and stir well. Add bourban; pour into julep cups (which have been frosted in the freezer) and fill with crushed ice. Insert sprig of fresh mint and silver straw. Each julep should be made separately.

~Derby Party Hostess Gift~
Y'all know Miss Janice always likes to take a gift to the hostess. I found this Mint Julep mix at TJ Maxx. I kind of like the package, but that thing attached...and that tacky ribbon. No ma'am, it's cute, but not cute enough for moi...
I took the julep mix out of the package, placed it inside a silver mint julep cup, made a gift card with several recipes printed on the back of the card, and attached a silver mint julep straw/spoon with a green dotted ribbon. I wanted it to be Southern...and Memorable.


Thank you so much for stopping by today. I'm off to get ready for the Relay for Life event. If you are my friend on Facebook {Janice Sessums Gibson} or Twitter {www.twitter.com/socialgraces101}, please chat with me tonight...I'll be UP ALL NIGHT, y'all!

Remember, it's the little things that you do for others that makes the day special and memorable.

Run for the Roses

And they're off! Tomorrow, at 6:04 p.m. E.S.T. it's post time for the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby. In the world of sports, there is not a more moving moment than the one when the horses step onto the track for the Kentucky Derby post parade and the band strikes up "My Old Kentucky Home." Those ladies decked out in their spring outfits and gorgeous hats, what a fashion parade!

On Derby Day it's time for mint juleps*. It's not surprising that mint juleps are popular in the South, mint is a symbol of hospitality and this drink brings forth the ideal image of genteel gatherings sprinkled with that sweet Southern drawl...

*Recipe for Miss Janice's Mint Julep
1 tblsp. granulated sugar
8 mint leaves
1 tblsp. water
4 oz. Kentucky bourbon
Crushed ice
Sprig of fresh mint

Place sugar and mint leaves in a small bowl. Bruise mint well and muddle with sugar until they form paste. Add water and stir well. Add bourbon; pour into julep cups (which have been frosted in the freezer) and fill with crushed ice. Insert sprig of fresh mint and silver straw. Each julep should be made separately.

It is considered proper to drink mint juleps with a sterling mint julep straw/spoon. Simply use the spoon to stir the julep and sip your beverage through the tiny hole at the end. This is one of the very few times a lady should use a straw to drink a beverage. It's also acceptable to use a straw when you are drinking a coke out of a can or when you've "taken ill and are in the bed."

A sterling mint julep straw/spoon...stir with one end and sip from the other.
Could you possibly get more Southern?
I will be watching the race with friends...no fancy event. "Here's What I'll be Wearing." A very casual, but just darling Lilly shift with a butterfly print. The white cardigan sweater throw is from Land's End. I just love the embroidery work on this cute dress!

Since I simply cannot find a white cover for my Lilly Bermuda bag handle, I'm going with the lime-ish green cover and a lime-ish green ribbon bow for my ponytail. I'm wearing my brand-spankin' new white Bonanno's. The jewelry--a pearl bracelet, the matching pearl stud earrings, and my Cartier roll-ring wedding band

Hostess gift...hmmm, I found this Mint Julep mix at TJ Maxx awhile back. I kind of like the package, but that thing attached...and that tacky ribbon. No ma'am, it's cute, but not chic enough for me...

I took the julep mix out, placed it in a silver mint julep cup, made a gift card with several recipes on the back, and tied a silver mint julep straw/spoon with a green dotted ribbon. I wanted it to be Southern...and Memorable.

Saturday will be a fun-filled day for me. I'm starting my day running in the Turtle Trot 5K race in Jupiter, Florida. After freshening up, I will explore the town, come back home, rest a little and get ready for the Derby!

I hope that y'all have a wonderful weekend. Thank you so much for stopping by today.