Mint Julep recipe
Kentucky's pride — bourbon, mint, sugar, and enough crushed ice to survive a Southern summer.
Method: Build ·
Glass: Julep cup or rocks glass ·
Time: 3 min ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Family: The Old Fashioned Family
Ingredients
- 2.5 oz Bourbon (Woodford Reserve or Maker's Mark)
- 0.5 oz Simple Syrup (or 1 tsp sugar)
- 8-10 Fresh Mint Leaves
How to make a Mint Julep
- Gently muddle mint leaves with simple syrup in the bottom of a julep cup. Press, don't destroy.
- Add bourbon.
- Pack the cup tightly with crushed ice.
- Stir until the outside of the cup frosts.
- Top with more crushed ice, mounding it above the rim.
- Garnish with a big sprig of mint right next to the straw so you smell it with every sip.
Garnish
Large bouquet of fresh mint — slap it before placing to release oils.
Pro tip
The mint garnish isn't decoration — it's functional. Position it so your nose goes right into it when you drink through the straw. Half the experience is the aroma. Also, crushed ice is mandatory. Regular cubes won't frost the cup and won't give you that slushy texture.
History of the Mint Julep
The Mint Julep dates to the late 1700s in the American South, originally made with brandy or rum. Bourbon became the standard spirit by the mid-1800s. It's been the official drink of the Kentucky Derby since 1938 — they serve about 120,000 of them over the two-day event.
Flavour profile
Minty, Sweet, Bourbon, Refreshing
Variations
- Georgia Julep — Use peach brandy alongside bourbon
- Prescription Julep — Split base of bourbon and cognac with rye
- Derby Day Julep — Add a splash of orange juice and a dash of bitters
Practise making the Mint Julep in the free Virtual Bar game.