Whether it's Kentucky Derby [1] season or just hotter than hell outside, a classic bourbon mint julep chills and refreshes. Sugar, muddled mint, bourbon, and (keyword) tons of crushed ice, a mint julep is like drinking an ice pack, which is essential on a torturous Southern Summer day.

I'm not one for turning on the stove when I don't have to, so this cocktail comes together without making mint simple syrup. Instead, we'll let the bourbon do the work of dissolving the minty-sugar mixture.

As for those silver julep cups, the metal seems to keep the beverage cooler for longer (don't quote me on that science) plus adds an additional menthol-like element to the cocktail's flavor. It's sort of like how a moscow mule tastes best in a copper mug.