Racing in just an hour before the horses enter their gates, Galley Pirates offers up the Classic Mint Julep recipe. You can find similar recipes all over the internet but we like to be “one stop shopping” for you cruisers out there. There’s not much correlation between horses and sailboats, although Lyle Lovett does come to mind:

If I had a boat
I’d go out on the ocean
And if I had a pony
I’d ride him on my boat
And we could all together
Go out on the ocean
Me upon my pony on my boat

Land or sea, we sailors like a celebration and respect tradition. So here’s a toast to the Kentucky Derby.

Classic Mint Julep

(makes one drink. Multiply as needed)

10 or so fresh mint leaves, plus a sprig for garnish
2 teaspoons super fine sugar OR one ounce simple syrup
2 or so ounces Bourbon
Crushed ice to fill one old fashioned glass

Place mint leaves in the bottom of the glass or mint julep cup. Add super fine sugar and muddle together until leaves are well crushed.

If you’re using simple syrup instead, muddle the leaves without the sugar. Add the simple syrup.

Next fill the ice with as much crushed ice as you can fit in your glass. Having a hand cranked ice crusher on board is very handy. Ice cubes in a double zip locked bag and a hammer works too!

Next add bourbon to fill and top with a sprig of mint.

And there you have it….YOU’RE OFF….