It's Kentucky Derby time, and we all know that means cocktails... Mint Juleps to be precise, this year we'll be making ours with a twist!!!

No Kentucky Derby would be complete without the venerable Mint Julep on the first Saturday in May. According to the Derby Museum, Mint Julep became Churchill Down's signature drink in 1938 when they started to serve the drink in sourvenir glasses for 75 cents a drink. Today's Kentucky Derby serves more than 80,000 juleps over the two-day event.

Mint Julep first appeared in print in 1803 described as a "dram of spirituous liquor that has mint in it, taken by Virginians in the morning." Some historians say Mint Julep was born in the early 1700s somewhere in east coast. First Mint Juleps weren't perhaps mixed with Bourbon, rather rye whiskey or rum or other available spirits.

This is the recipe the HorN Pet Gang chose for this years festivities, we thought the orange really freshened things up a bit!!!

Ingredients:

* 2 cups lightly packed fresh mint
* 2 cups water
* 1 cup sugar
* 1 cup orange juice
* 1-1/2 cups bourbon
* 1 cup orange juice
* Granulated sugar
* Crushed Ice
* Fresh Mint Sprigs
* Halved orange slices

Directions:

1. Place mint leaves in a medium bowl; set aside. In a medium saucepan combine the water and 1 cup sugar. Bring to boiling, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; pour over mint leaves. Stir in orange juice.
2. Cover and let stand at room temperature for 1 hour. Strain mixture through a mesh strainer. Stir in bourbon. Cover and chill up to 24 hours.
3. Place granulated sugar in a shallow dish; wet the edge of 8 glasses and dip into sugar to coat. Add crushed ice to glasses. Divide bourbon mixture among glasses (about 2/3 cup per glass). Garnish with mint and orange slices. Makes 8, 5-ounces servings.

Enjoy and may the best horse win!!!

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