HerKentucky Turns 2!

Today's our birthday, y'all!

Today marks two years of the HerKentucky blog. Every member of our writing staff is so thrilled and humbled that y'all stop by to read our posts and visit our social media sites. It's so wonderful to know that y'all love the Commonwealth as much as we do!

I wish we could all sit down together for a glass of bourbon and a cupcake today. Since that's a little difficult to manage, we've partnered with Louisville Stoneware to bring one lucky HerKentucky reader a stylish way to enjoy her favorite drink.

The Louisvilke Stoneware Mint Julep Cup is so fun, and its logo gets straight to the point.

Here's what our friends at Louisville Stoneware would like you to know about this item: 

Located in the heart of Bourbon Country, and with a history of making whiskey jugs, it’s only natural for Louisville Stoneware to have a line of Julep Cups.The exact origins of the Mint Julep are unknown, but it is said to have originated in the southern United States during the eighteenth century. U.S. Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky introduced the drink to Washington, D.C., at the Round Robin Bar in the famous Willard Hotel. It was also the favorite drink of American author William Faulkner. The Mint Julep is best known as the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, a position it has held since 1938, with Churchill Downs making over 120,000 for Derby fans each year.Chill your Stoneware Julep Cup in the freezer for at least 30 minutes – it can be stored there permanently if you like. With a slightly flared rim, this cup is perfect for slow sipping – the only way a julep should be enjoyed. For an authentic Julep-sipping experience, we suggest following the recipe on our Julep pitcher. Cheers!Your stoneware can be safely used in the oven, microwave, dishwasher and freezer. Just remember to allow pieces from the dishwasher to cool before refrigerating. Likewise, you should allow refrigerated piece to return to room temperature before washing. As with any stoneware item, extreme and sudden variation in temperature may cause cracking or breakage.

You can enter to win using the Rafflecopter widget. The winner will be announced on Monday, September 16th, and you can look forward to more HerKentucky birthday fun throughout September!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks so much to Louisville Stoneware for partnering with HerKentucky to bring y'all this giveaway. No member of the HerKentucky writing staff was compensated in any way for this post. Check back throughout September for more celebrations, giveways, and fun!

Spicy Chocolate Bourbon Pops

Last year, I rocked the summer with the Maker's Mark and Ale-8 popsicles. I am told you can make a popsicle with something besides bourbon. This is a very interesting theory I fully intend to test...one day.

Until then, I have created a new popsicle for the lovely Rachel at A Southern Fairytale I knew I had to share with y'all. Rachel is from Texas. (If you can't be from Kentucky, I suppose Texas is an appropriate substitute.) So, I created a pop that has some Texas heat, Kentucky bourbon, and chocolate - the great uniter!

They are the perfect summer treat, especially if you like a little kick on a warm summer night!

Click on over to A Southern Fairytale for the complete recipe!

~ Sarah Stewart Holland

Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

There are five things that never fail to make this Kentucky born and bred foodie swoon. “Foodie” is my politically correct characterization of myself. Roughly translated, it means “big ol’ girl who loves to eat (and drink).” Those five things are, in no particular order:

• Chocolate
• Bourbon
• Pecans
• Gravy
• Cornmeal –crusted anything

The recipe I am going to share today contains three of these ingredients and is truly slap your Mamaw—unless you had a Mamaw like mine who would slap back—delicious! The recipe calls for a pre-made frozen pie crust, but feel free to make your own homemade crust if you feel like raising the bar a notch or two. As a life-long underachiever, I am content to use the pre-made crust. Either way, this pie is divine.

Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

1 deep dish pie shell

½ c. white sugar
½ c. brown sugar
4 eggs, beaten
¼ c. bourbon
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. light corn syrup
½ c. butter
¼ tsp. salt
Mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 c. pecan halves

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a small saucepan, combine the sugars, corn syrup and butter. Cool over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the butter melts and the sugars dissolve. Cool slightly.

In a large bowl, combine eggs, bourbon, vanilla and salt. Mix well. Slowly pour the sugar mixture into the egg mixture, whisking constantly. Stir in pecans.

Pour chocolate chips onto the pie crust, covering the entire bottom with a single layer of chips. Pour mixture into pie shell. Bake in preheated oven for 50 to 55 minutes, or until set and golden.

May be served warm or chilled.

Biscuits and Maple Bourbon Bacon Gravy

Maple Bourbon Bacon Gravy Essentials

Bacon Gravy Reducing

Biscuits and Maple Bacon Bourbon Gravy

Biscuits and Gravy is such a classically Southern dish. It was a staple at my house growing up and whenever I am around it now, I unabashedly ask for seconds. Recently, I have been enamored with all things bacon and thought that Bacon Gravy might just be divine!

When I set out to write this recipe, I knew that I wanted it to stand out among other bacon gravy recipes and I wanted it to be elegant enough to entertain. I started playing with different flavor profiles and found foodie bliss in Maple Bourbon Bacon Gravy.  The bacon is salty and the maple and bourbon play off its smokiness. The half and half adds an elegant touch and leaves you with a gravy that is creamy and decadently delicious. 

Ingredients

1 LB Maple Bacon

4 Tablespoons of your favorite bourbon

1 Tablespoon of Salted butter

1 Tablespoon of Flour

2 Pints of Fat Free Half and Half

Instructions

1. Start with your essentials; Bacon, Bourbon, Butter, Flour, Half and Half and a Maker’s and Diet in J Charles monogrammed glass.
2. Cut 1lb of maple bacon into lardoons and cook until crisp.
3. Remove bacon from Pan and drain bacon fat.
4. Return pan to heat and deglaze with 2 tablespoons of bourbon. Once it has reduced slightly, return bacon to pan and add the last two tablespoons of bourbon. Cook until all bourbon is absorbed by bacon and remove from pan.
5. In same pan, add 1 tablespoon of salted butter at a medium heat. 
6. Once butter has melted, add 1 tablespoon of flour and stir for 1-2 minutes until flour is cooked through.
7. After flour is cooked, slowly add your pints of Fat Free half and half, while stirring. 
8. Simmer half and half over medium heat until it is reduced by half. About 10 – 15 minutes. If it over reduces, add a little milk and it should thin out.
9. Add bacon, stir and serve over your grandma's homemade biscuits!
10. This recipe yields four 1/2 cup servings.

Angel's Envy Distillery

When I visited Louisville a couple of weeks ago, I was delighted to see all the renovations that are going on in the Whiskey Row district. It's going to be such a fun place to eat, drink, and discover Downtown Louisville!

©Ted Tarquinio

Whiskey Row is another fantastic example of Kentucky's growing Bourbon Tourism industry. It used to be that a few of bourbon's biggest labels boasted visitor centers. Now, there's the Kentucky Bourbon Craft Trail, a host of new labels popping up across the state, and tons of new ways to enjoy Kentucky's native spirit. 

©Ted Tarquinio

Yesterday, Angel's Envy Bourbon became the latest craft bourbon to add a presence on Whiskey Row. Along with Governor Steve Beshear and Mayor Greg Fischer, the label founded by former Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Lincoln Henderson held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Angel's Envy distillery and brand experience center on Main Street.

©Ted Tarquinio

The Angel's Envy center is not only great news for bourbon lovers. It also holds the promise of significant economic impact for Kentucky. With nearly $12 million in private equity investment and the promise of 40 new jobs, the distillery turns abandoned industrial spaces into a positive force for Kentucky's economy.

Architect's Rendering of the Angel's Envy Distillery

Architect's Rendering of Angel's Envy Event Space

I can't wait to visit the Angel's Envy complex, which opens in 2014. In the meantime, I think I'll acquaint myself with their spirits -- a bourbon aged up to six years, a limited edition Cask Strength label aged in ruby port wine casks, and a rye. You can learn more about Angel's Envy on their Facebook page and Twitter.

Have y'all tried Angel's Envy?

HerKentucky Derby Days: Smathers and Branson Needlepoint Flask Giveaway!

It's still a few days until the actual Derby, but HerKentucky Derby Days are in full effect!

We've partnered with Smathers and Branson to bring y'all another great giveaway.

The winner can choose to celebrate the Kentucky Derby's signature drink,

display silks,

celebrate a favorite label,

or display some Derby style.

In fact, you can choose among any of their non-personalized flask designs.

Enter to win below. Good luck, and Happy Derby Days!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

{No member of the HerKentucky writing staff was compensated for this post. The giveaway runs from April 29-April 1. Winner will be announced Thursday, April 2.}

The HerKentucky Easter Basket Wishlist

If you're like me, you're going to be spending Easter Sunday with a big family dinner, a fancy dress hidden under a sweater, and the resolve to not eat too many Peeps. I thought it would be fun to put together a couple of Easter Baskets full of Kentucky-themed products to go along with those holiday plans!

HerKentucky Easter Basket by herkentucky on Polyvore

• The littlest gal on your Easter list will love this Savannah Seersucker Bonnet from Lexington's own Beaufort Bonnet Company. This monogrammable bonnet makes an amazing keepsake of her first Easter.
• I adore the Lilly Pulitzer Just Add Mint print for spring. With all the fixin's for a julep, it's sure to be a hit at the spring races. Both the Lexington and Louisville Peppermint Palm stores have plenty of this fun print in stock, including my favorite, the Lavender skirt, as well as the Leandra and Lacina dresses.
• Mellen Designs strikes again! Dress your iPhone 4 or 5 in your favorite team colors with the Winning Team Phone Case.

HerKentucky's Easter Basket for Him by herkentucky on Polyvore

• The little guy in your life will look sharp in the Baylor Bow Tie from Beaufort Bonnet. I love the monogram option!
• Treat your beau to a bourbon class at the 1785 Bourbon Societyat Midway's Holly Hill Inn. I recently had the opportunity to sit in on a tasting; I left feeling a little happier and a lot more knowledgeable about Kentucky's native spirit!
• Of course, what your favorite Kentucky fan wants is a commitment from Andrew Wiggins. I doubt the Easter Bunny can swing that one, but this Waterford crystal paperweight commemorating our 8th National Title is pretty nice.