This mint julep cocktail recipe is the perfect sipping cocktail. Not only is it consumed during the Kentucky Derby but people enjoy it while fresh mint can be found. Because having this cocktail only on that one day would be a crying shame.
I had my first mint julep just a handful of 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 something new 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 my drinks, I tend to rehash the same ol’ repertoire.
Once I took a sip of this delicious drink, I realized that I am adventurous and decided from there on in, I’d be expanding my cocktail horizons.
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Helpful tips
- 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.
How to make a mint julep
Pre-step
Get the glassware, measuring glass and muddler.
Step one
Gather the ingredients – Bourbon, simple syrup and mint.
Step two
Measure out ½ 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 a few leaves of fresh mint 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 the 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)
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- 2 ½ ounces bourbon
Instructions
- In your stainless steel cup, place the mint and 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 ¾ full with crushed ice
- Pour bourbon on ice
- Add more ice, plop 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.
Vince
Love…love…love mint juleps..simple, fun, and very tasty!
Elaine
Vince,
Me too! I’ve really developed a taste for bourbon! Who woulda thunk.
Elaine
Gloria
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.
Elaine
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!
Sharon
This mint julep is such a classic cocktail. I love that I can use my homegrown mint for this too.
Elaine
I definitely have to plant some mint for the future. Thanks Sharon!
Sam
Oh how fun and refreshing! I know a few friends who would love this drink. Plus we have some mint in our garden!
Elaine
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!
Ramona
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.
Elaine
I love that you have homegrown mint. I really need to start a garden. Thanks Ramona. I’m a mint lover as well.
Denise
This is a perfect mint julep! So refreshing, and the blend of ingredients is spot on!
Elaine
Thanks Denise! I appreciate it.
Marisa F. Stewart
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. 😉
Elaine
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.
Tammy
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!
Elaine
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.
Moop Brown
Yum! This looks so refreshing and tasty- can’t wait to try making this one!
Elaine
Thanks Moop! It definitely is both of those things! Cheers!
Jo
I’m game for anything mint. Mint julep is freshness overload. I wish I could grab a glass. Much needed for the hour!
Elaine
Me to Jo. I adore mint! Thanks so much!
Natalie
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.
Elaine
Thanks Natalie! I hope he does enjoy it. It’s such a nice refreshing sipping cocktail!