Ingredients
- 1 oz Cognac
- 1 oz Rye Whiskey
- 1 tsp sugar
- 5-6 fresh mint leaves
- Crushed ice
- Mint sprig - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Julep Cup or Highball Glass
- Muddler
- Measuring Jigger
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Place 5-6 fresh mint leaves and 1 tsp sugar into your Julep cup or highball glass.
- Muddle: Use a muddler to press the mint and sugar together really gently.
- Add Cognac: Pour 1 oz Cognac into the glass.
- Add Rye Whiskey: Measure and pour 1 oz Rye Whiskey into the glass.
- Add Ice: Fill the glass three-quarters full with crushed ice.
- Churn: Mix energetically all the ingredients with a bar spoon, until the sugar is dissolved.
- Add Straw: Put a straw into the glass and add more crushed ice.
- Garnish: Place a sprig of mint on top for garnish.
Notes
Substitutes:
As a cocktail enthusiast, I've had to improvise when certain ingredients are unavailable. Here are some substitutes that have worked for me:- Cognac: Brandy is a good substitute for cognac if you have none. It's made from distilled wine, just like cognac, but it doesn't have to come from the Cognac region of France.
- Rye Whiskey: Bourbon can be used as a substitute for rye whiskey. It's sweeter and less spicy than rye, but it still works well in this cocktail.
- Sugar: If you're out of granulated sugar, use simple syrup or another sweetener like agave nectar or maple syrup.
Making a Pitcher of Prescription Julep:
If you're hosting a party and want to make a pitcher of this cocktail, here's how I do it:- Scale: Multiply all the ingredients by the number of servings you want. For example, for 8 servings, you'd use 8 oz of cognac, 8 oz of rye whiskey, 8 tsp of sugar, and about 40-48 mint leaves.
- Mix: Muddle the mint leaves and sugar together in a large pitcher. Add the cognac and rye whiskey and stir until the sugar is dissolved.
- Serve: Pour the mixture into individual glasses filled with crushed ice, garnish with a sprig of mint, and serve immediately.
Making it Vegan:
This cocktail is already vegan-friendly as it doesn't contain any animal products. However, check the sugar you're using, as some brands use bone char in their processing methods.What is a Prescription Julep?
A Prescription Julep is a cocktail made of rye whiskey, cognac, mint leaves, sugar, and crushed ice. It’s not difficult to make but requires some precision in balancing the flavors of the strong rye whiskey with the sweetness of the sugar and freshness of the mint.
This drink is a variant of another well-known cocktail: The Mint Julep. While both drinks share many ingredients such as fresh mint leaves and sugar, what sets them apart from each other is that while bourbon forms the base spirit for traditional Mint Juleps, Prescription juleps use a combination of Rye Whiskey & Cognac which gives them an extra layer of depth and complexity.
An interesting fact about this cocktail lies within its name – “Prescription.” This term was used often during the prohibition era when cocktails were prescribed by physicians as medicinal treatments!
What is a Prescription Julep made of – The ingredients
These are the ingredients you’ll need to create a Prescription Julep:
- Rye Whiskey: The base spirit of the cocktail, it provides a robust and spicy flavor.
- Cognac: Adds a fruity undertone to the drink.
- Sugar: Sweetens the drink without adding additional flavors.
- Mint Leaves: Fresh mint leaves add a refreshing touch and aromatic quality to the cocktail.
- Crushed Ice: Chills the drink and dilutes the alcohol slightly for a smoother taste.
