Margaret Sue Masters, "The Kentucky Hostess" Make the Perfect Kentucky Bourbon Ball

Margaret Sue Masters, "The Kentucky Hostess" makes the Perfect Kentucky Bourbon Ball for her guests who come from across America and from around the world for drinks and dinner at her tavern and dinner house, Chapeze House, "Kentucky's Home for Bourbon" in Bardstown, Kentucky on the western edge of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Margaret Sue declares that The Perfect Kentucky Bourbon Ball is one of the great symbols of Kentucky hospitality.

The Kentucky Bourbon Ball is a candy that has been revered in Kentucky for over a hundred and fifty years. It is a treat we offer our guests as a passed appetizer during our cocktail hour, as a dessert piece after breakfast, lunch or dinner and as a gift of Kentucky hospitality for friends visiting the house or for out of town guests anytime.

When you serve the Kentucky Bourbon Ball, by all means place them upon a silver tray, preferably an heirloom piece. Serve the Kentucky Bourbon Ball with ceremony and the respect due it. There are ten generations of Kentucky hospitality symbolized by the Kentucky Bourbon Ball and it is worthy of our high regard.

Combine two-cup each of finely chopped vanilla wafer crumbs and finely chopped pecans. Add one-cup powdered sugar. Stir in a half cup Kentucky Bourbon. Form the nougat into balls the size of a small marble and place on a tray lined with wax paper. Refrigerate overnight. Next day melt a whole package of chocolate bark. Place nougat on a fork or candy dipping ring and dip into melted chocolate bark. Place chocolate covered nougat on a tray lined with wax paper, press on a whole half pecan nut. When batch is on the tray, place in refrigerator for four hours.

Put Bourbon Balls up in a tin box, layers separated by wax paper. Soak a paper towel with Kentucky Bourbon and place on top layer of wax paper. Cover the tin box and keep refrigerated until ready to serve. Oh my.
Margaret Sue Masters, "The Kentucky Hostess"
Chapeze House, "Kentucky's Home for Bourbon"
www.kentuckyshomeforbourbon.com

Kentucky Colonel Michael Masters, "The Kentucky Bourbon Master" Make the Perfect Kentucky Mint Julep

Colonel Michael Masters, "The Kentucky Bourbon Master" makes the Perfect Kentucky Mint Julep for his guests who come from across America and from around the world for drinks and dinner at his tavern and dinner house, Chapeze House, "Kentucky's Home for Bourbon" in Bardstown, Kentucky on the western edge of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. The Colonel declares that The Perfect Kentucky Mint Julep is always made individually, in front of the guest who can then bear witness to the ceremony that accompanies the making of a Perfect Kentucky Mint Julep.

Make simple syrup. Dissolve a cup of sugar in a cup of boiling water. Remove from heat and gently lay in twelve sprigs of mint allowing the mint to steep for five minutes. Strain out the mint. When cool, pour the mint infused simple syrup into a small crystal pitcher. Discard the mint with dignity, reverence and silent ceremony for the mint has performed its service nobly.

Frost a glass or a silver julep cup. Use a napkin to retrieve the glass or the julep cup from the freezer so that you do not melt the frost. Pack the glass or the julep cup with crushed ice. Pour in a jigger of Kentucky Bourbon. Fill the glass or julep cup three-quarters full with simple syrup. Place an attractive sprig of mint inside the rim of the glass or julep cup. Place a red cocktail straw inside the rim opposite the mint. Dust the top of the glass or julep cup with powdered sugar.

Never stir a Perfect Kentucky Mint Julep for you must allow the Kentucky Bourbon and the mint to get acquainted. Leave the mint sprig in the glass so that you get a nose full of fresh mint aroma with every sip. The Perfect Kentucky Mint Julep is a very romantic libation, with two centuries of Kentucky tradition associated with its making.

Colonel Michael Masters, "The Kentucky Bourbon Master"
Chapeze House, "Kentucky's Home for Bourbon"
www.kentuckyshomeforbourbon.com

The Colonel Welcomes You to Bardstown

I welcome you to historic Bardstown. Our town offers you "an absolutely unforgettable Kentucky experience." Tour our historic streets and view our stately old homes. Meander through our museums and distilleries. Shop in our downtown stores and eat in our wonderful restaurants. Dine upon The Dinner Train as it travels along its railroad tracks. Visit the Kentucky state shrine, My Old Kentucky Home. Take in the Stephen Foster musical at our amphitheater. By all means purchase my Kentucky travel guide and cookbook, Hospitality-Kentucky Style. And when you see me in Bardstown, stop me and introduce yourself. I will be glad to make your acquaintance.