Mint Julep

Mint Julep is a bracing, ice-cold bourbon cocktail perfumed with fresh mint and balanced by just enough sweetness. Served packed with crushed ice until the cup frosts over, it is crisp, aromatic, and unmistakably Southern.

Nutrition · per serving

181kcal

0.1gProtein

7.7gCarbs

0gFat

0.3gFiber

2 servings

Ingredients

6 items

Mint-sugar base

fresh mint sprigs12 sprigs

simple syrup30 ml

powdered sugar10 g

To finish

bourbon120 ml

crushed ice500 g

fresh mint sprigs2 sprigs

Tips

•Chill the cups in the freezer for 5 minutes beforehand if you want a more traditional frosted exterior; this time is not included in the recipe timing.
•Use good-quality crushed ice, not cubes, because the fast chilling and slight dilution are essential to the texture of a proper julep.
•If you prefer a slightly sweeter classic Derby-style drink, increase the simple syrup to 40 ml total.
•A metal julep cup is traditional, but a heavy rocks glass works well for home service.

Steps

1
Pick the leaves from 4 of the 12 sprigs of mint; reserve the remaining sprigs for garnish. Divide the mint leaves between 2 chilled julep cups or short tumblers. Add the simple syrup and powdered sugar to the cups.
12 sprigs fresh mint sprigs30 ml simple syrup10 g powdered sugar
2
Gently muddle the mint with the syrup and sugar just until the leaves are bruised and fragrant, not shredded; over-muddling can make the drink taste grassy and bitter.
12 sprigs fresh mint sprigs30 ml simple syrup10 g powdered sugar
3
Pour 60 ml bourbon into each cup. Fill each cup halfway with crushed ice and stir for 10-15 seconds until the outside of the cup turns very cold. This quick stir starts the dilution that makes a julep smooth rather than harsh.
120 ml bourbon500 g crushed ice
4
Top each cup into a rounded mound with the remaining crushed ice. Gently press in 1 garnish mint sprig per drink beside the straw position, lightly clapping the mint first to release its aroma.
500 g crushed ice2 sprigs fresh mint sprigs
5
Serve immediately. For the classic presentation, dust the ice mound very lightly with a pinch of extra powdered sugar if desired and drink while the cup is frosty.

Origin & History

The Mint Julep became closely associated with Kentucky in the 19th century and is now the signature drink of the Kentucky Derby. Though juleps were once made in many styles across the American South, the bourbon-and-mint version became the enduring classic.

american cocktail bourbon mint vegan kentucky-derby no-cook

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Steps

Pick the leaves from 4 of the 12 sprigs of mint; reserve the remaining sprigs for garnish. Divide the mint leaves between 2 chilled julep cups or short tumblers. Add the simple syrup and powdered sugar to the cups.

12 sprigs fresh mint sprigs30 ml simple syrup10 g powdered sugar

Gently muddle the mint with the syrup and sugar just until the leaves are bruised and fragrant, not shredded; over-muddling can make the drink taste grassy and bitter.

12 sprigs fresh mint sprigs30 ml simple syrup10 g powdered sugar

Pour 60 ml bourbon into each cup. Fill each cup halfway with crushed ice and stir for 10-15 seconds until the outside of the cup turns very cold. This quick stir starts the dilution that makes a julep smooth rather than harsh.

120 ml bourbon500 g crushed ice

Top each cup into a rounded mound with the remaining crushed ice. Gently press in 1 garnish mint sprig per drink beside the straw position, lightly clapping the mint first to release its aroma.

500 g crushed ice2 sprigs fresh mint sprigs

Serve immediately. For the classic presentation, dust the ice mound very lightly with a pinch of extra powdered sugar if desired and drink while the cup is frosty.