The Great Gatsby

Happy, happy Friday all! I'm very excited to share today's Reel Inspiration, which comes from a favorite book set in an interesting and romantic time...The Great Gatsby. The summer is drawing near an end, and with it the romance of care-free days filled with sun, fun and seemingly endless possibilities. So let's celebrate it flapper-style and soak in all the chic, saucy and scandalous style of Robert Redford and Mia Farrow.

I think I can speak for all the ladies out there when I say, "Bravo, Robert. Bravo..." How can I top that? How's about a recipe to get you in the mood for adventure? Here's one of my favorite recipes for mint juleps via All Recipes (silver platters are optional, but certainly add a bit of whimsy!):

Ingredients

2 cups water
2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup roughly chopped fresh mint leaves
32 fluid ounces Kentucky bourbon
8 sprigs fresh mint leaves for garnish

Directions  

Combine water, sugar and chopped mint leaves in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat until the sugar is completely dissolved. Allow syrup to cool approximately 1 hour. Pour syrup through a strainer to remove mint leaves.

Fill 8 cups or frozen goblets with crushed ice and pour 4 ounces of bourbon and 1/4 cup mint syrup in each. (Proportions can be adjusted depending on each person's sweet tooth). Top each cup with a mint sprig and a straw. Trim straws to just barely protrude from the top of the cups. Serve juleps on a silver platter. 

Go on, amigos, hit the road and see what happens this weekend!