Let’s Get Blitzen: Cocktail Advent Calendar – Day 6 – Jupiter Julep.
A julep in December feels like wearing white after Labour Day — technically against the “rules,” but honestly? Who made the rules? They obviously weren’t hugged enough as a child.
This Jupiter Julep sticks to that classic Mint Julep simplicity and then flirts with winter: Cognac, sage, and vanilla pear syrup over a mountain of crushed ice. It’s the kind of drink that makes you want to put on a record and dance in the kitchen.
H by Hine VSOP Cognac brings plush fruit and gentle oak. Sage gives a subtle savory, evergreen edge, and vanilla pear syrup wraps everything in cozy orchard sweetness. It’s refreshingly light for winter but still deeply seasonal – like the finest dusting of snow.
Muddle sage just until fragrant. You’re coaxing oils, not bullying the leaves into bitterness. To achieve this, press down on the leaves with medium-light pressure and twist your muddler, repeat. Then pile on crushed ice and let dilution happen slowly, juleps are all about that evolve-as-you-sip magic.
If this Jupiter Julep has you rockin’ around the Christmas tree, you might like some of my sage cocktail creations:
Tune into my Instagram Stories tonight at 5 p.m. Eastern and yes, I will show you my very serious crushed-ice technique that makes me feel like I’m on a porch in Kentucky instead of in a kitchen in slippers.
Cheers, friends!
Jupiter Julep
This simple three-ingredient cocktail employs the formula for a classic julep but swaps the namesake herb for seasonal sage and builds flavour with a decadent vanilla pear syrup.
- 10 sage leaves
- ½ oz vanilla pear syrup
- 2 oz H by Hine VSOP Cognac
- Garnish: sage bouquet
- 2 cups ripe pears, roughly chopped
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 tsp vanilla paste or ½ tsp vanilla extract
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Add sage leaves and syrup to a julep cup. Muddle until fragrant.
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Add cognac and fill halfway with crushed ice. Stir for 10-15 seconds.
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Add more crushed ice to create a mound and garnish with a bouquet of fresh sage. Serve with a straw.
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Combine ingredients in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then turn heat down to medium low. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
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Fine-strain into an airtight container.
