Mint Julep Cocktail | Kentucky Derby Style
Best known as Kentucky’s most iconic cocktail, the mint julep is way too delicious to reserve for Derby Day. This mint julep recipe is made with bourbon, simple syrup, and fresh mint for a surprisingly refreshing whiskey cocktail you’ll love.
I had my first mint julep drink many years back. We were at our cousins house and it was Derby day. They asked me if I wanted to try one, and since I’m usually a creature of habit and have been feeling ‘stuck’ in my tastes, I said, “Sure, why not?”
I branched out and tried this bourbon cocktail because – unlike when it comes to food, where I’m adventurous and will try and like different and sometimes unpopular delicacies like kidney stew – when it comes to the drinks I make for myself, I tend to rehash the same ol’ repertoire.
Once I took a sip of this delicious drink, the melding of the flavors delighted my tastebuds. So from that day forward, I enjoyed the taste of the many drinks that have since crossed my path.
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Helpful tips
- Buy the freshest mint leaves you can find. I find that it mint lasts for a little over a week in the refrigerator.
- Muddling herbs or fruit in a cocktail is fun and easy. Here’s how to muddle the mint for this julep: place the mint and simple syrup in the glass. Next, take a muddler or if you don’t own one, the back of a wooden spoon and crush the mint with the syrup until you bruise the leaves and can smell the mint without sticking your nose in the glass. Now you’re ready for the next step.
- Since this cocktail only has 3 ingredients, use the best bourbon you can afford.
- Want to learn more about bourbon and all things whiskey? Here’s my comprehensive guide you might enjoy.
- Make your own simple syrup. It is easy and economical. Here’s how – Place 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water in a saucepan and heat on medium. Once it comes to a boil, lower to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Allow the simple syrup to completely cool before adding to your cocktails.
- You will be building this cocktail in the glass and although you see two cocktails in the photos below, I am writing the recipe for one cocktail.
- The mint julep recipe is usually served in a metal cup like I use. The reason is because it keeps the cocktail cold and allows the ice to melt slowly. But if you don’t have one, you can use a double old fashioned glass, high ball glass or rocks glass.
How to make a mint julep
Pre-step
Get the glassware, measuring glass and muddler.
After measuring out the ingredients, add them to the metal cup.
Step one
Gather the ingredients – Bourbon, simple syrup and mint.
Step two
Measure out 1/2 ounce of simple syrup.
Step three
Place the mint in the bottom of the glass, pour the simple syrup on top and muddle away until you can smell the aroma of mint without sticking your nose in the cup.
This shows the leaves muddled to perfection. Notice the bruising of the mint.
Step four
Measure out 2.5 ounces of bourbon.
Step five
Add crushed ice to the glass and pour the bourbon over it. This will cause some of the ice to melt so add more if you like.
Add at least one fresh mint sprig to the cocktail, but I love lots of fresh mint leaves to garnish the cocktail.
See how much the ice melts?
It didn’t help that I photographed this recipe during a heatwave.
And the vertical view.
Look at that frosty cup! I’m so excited to drink this.
I hope you enjoyed this mint julep cocktail recipe!
Other popular bourbon recipes
And as always, may all your dishes/drinks be delish!
If you’ve tried this recipe, I’d love to know what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
Mint Julep Cocktail
Ingredients
- 10 leaves of mint (hold a few aside for garnish)
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- 2 1/2 ounces bourbon
Instructions
- In your stainless steel cup, place the mint and syrup.10 leaves of mint, 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- Muddle the mint with a muddler or the back of a wooden spoon until the mint is bruised and fragrant. You should be able to smell the mint without sticking your nose in the cup.
- Fill the cup 3/4 full with crushed ice.
- Pour bourbon on ice.2 1/2 ounces bourbon
- Add more ice, add some mint on top, stick your straw in and stir
- Get on your Kentucky Derby hat
- Sip
- Smile
- Enjoy
Equipment
See all my favorite tools and gift ideas at my Amazon Store page!Check out Elaine’s Amazon Store!Notes
- Buy the freshest mint you can find. I find that it mint lasts for a little over a week in the refrigerator.
- Muddling herbs or fruit in a cocktail is fun and easy. Here’s how to muddle the mint for this julep: place the mint and simple syrup in the glass. Next, take a muddler or if you don’t own one, the back of a wooden spoon and crush the mint with the syrup until you bruise the leaves and can smell the mint without sticking your nose in the glass. Now you’re ready for the next step.
- Since this cocktail only has 3 ingredients, use the best bourbon you can afford.
- Make your own simple syrup. It is easy and economical. Here’s how – Place 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water in a saucepan and heat on medium. Once it comes to a boil, lower to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Allow the simple syrup to completely cool before adding to your cocktails.
- You will be building this cocktail in the glass and although you see two cocktails in the photos below, I am writing the recipe for one cocktail.
Nutrition
Originally published April of 2016.
From lighting up stages with her BA in theater to crafting delightful dishes and cocktails, Elaine Benoit's journey is a testament to passion's transformative power. As the CEO of Dishes Delish, she offers a blend of healthy, comforting recipes and exquisitely crafted cocktails. Beyond the kitchen, Elaine voiced her culinary adventures on her podcast, "Dishing," and co-owns Food Blogger Help, extending her expertise to guide budding food bloggers to success. Whether it's for a heartwarming dish or insights into food blogging, Elaine's diverse experiences make her a beacon in the culinary digital landscape.
Love…love…love mint juleps..simple, fun, and very tasty!
Vince,
Me too! I’ve really developed a taste for bourbon! Who woulda thunk.
Elaine
We still have some summer weather left…even though Fall is offically here tomorrow. I would love this on the patio…in the afternoon sun….and a nice fall day.
Hehe! Yes, Gloria. And I’m one of the few who doesn’t follow seasonal cocktails. 🙂 I have everything year round. Thank you for your comment!
This mint julep is such a classic cocktail. I love that I can use my homegrown mint for this too.
I definitely have to plant some mint for the future. Thanks Sharon!
Oh how fun and refreshing! I know a few friends who would love this drink. Plus we have some mint in our garden!
Yay. I get so envious of people with herb gardens. I think I’m going to have to get an aerogarden so I can have one too! 🙂 Thanks Sam!
This mint julep cocktail looks absoloutly perfect and amazing! i love mint and will never stop loving it. I can put my homegrown mint into this as well, which i am very excited for! thank you for sharing this recipe.
I love that you have homegrown mint. I really need to start a garden. Thanks Ramona. I’m a mint lover as well.
This is a perfect mint julep! So refreshing, and the blend of ingredients is spot on!
Thanks Denise! I appreciate it.
We live right next door to Louisville in Indiana and the Derby is super big. We’ve had our parties plus the mint julep cocktail. I’ve had several and I’ve wanted to have my own recipe — I can’t wait to make this. If I find some fresh mint I may start practicing making this cocktail early. 😉
Hehe. How fun that you live near the Derby. I’d love to go one day. If you like bourbon, you’ll love this cocktail. Cheers Marisa and thank you.
This is such a classic summertime drink for me! So refreshing on warmer days…this sounds and looks lovely! I have so much fresh mint still in my garden so I’m going to treat myself to one before the season ends!
I agree Tammy, it’s such a refreshing cocktail! Fresh mint is a must in the garden. I’m hoping to plant one next year. Thanks for your comment.
Yum! This looks so refreshing and tasty- can’t wait to try making this one!
Thanks Moop! It definitely is both of those things! Cheers!
I’m game for anything mint. Mint julep is freshness overload. I wish I could grab a glass. Much needed for the hour!
Me to Jo. I adore mint! Thanks so much!
Sounds so refreshing with all the fresh mint inside. And it’s so simple…. Now I must make this. I know my husband will enjoy this.
Thanks Natalie! I hope he does enjoy it. It’s such a nice refreshing sipping cocktail!