This weekend is the Kentucky Derby and I couldn't be more excited to share some bourbon cocktails. What could be better than sipping bourbon cocktails and watching horse races? Maybe having your own Kentucky Derby party to celebrate. Floppy hats, preppy bow-ties, southern finger food and bourbon are just the start to the fabulous entertaining possibilities. My blood starts pumping just thinking about putting on a hat, drinking bourbon nonstop, and celebrating with friends. The drink today is a play on the traditional drink of the Kentucky Derby the mint julep. The traditional mint julep is four ingredients: bourbon, water, mint, and sugar. I am from the south so bourbon and mint are like religion to me. I suggest making this raspberry jam mint julep for the Kentucky Derby this weekend. It may cause you to have so much fun that you don't even see a horse. Southern sips and cheers! Happy Derby week!

Recipe: Raspberry Jam Mint Julep

Ingredients

• 1.5 ounces of Wild Turkey Bourbon
• 8 mint leaves
• 1 heaping teaspoon of raspberry jam
• 5 fresh raspberries
• 1/2 cup of ice and ½ cup of crushed ice

Garnish: raspberries and mint

Instructions:

• In a mixing glass add Wild Turkey Bourbon, mint leaves, raspberry jam, fresh raspberries and ice
• Muddle mixture then add crushed ice to serving glass
• Strain mixture into serving glass

Serves: 1

Cheers!