Discover ways to make a mint julep with this straightforward recipe! The standard drink of the Kentucky Derby, this bourbon cocktail is fragrant and refreshing.
Have you ever ever tried a mint julep? Should you like recent mint (like me) or bourbon (like Jack), then you definitely completely ought to.
A mint julep is made with 4 easy components: bourbon, easy syrup, crushed ice, and recent mint.
It’s the standard drink of the Kentucky Derby, and it is perhaps as essential a convention because the horse race itself. The Kentucky Derby’s web site claims that followers devour 125,000 mint juleps on the Churchill Downs racetrack over the race weekend annually!
That stated, it doesn’t must be Derby Day so that you can get pleasure from a mint julep. This ice chilly cocktail is refreshing anytime, and it’s straightforward to make at dwelling. Find out how with this traditional mint julep recipe!
Mint Julep Components
Right here’s what you’ll have to make this mint julep recipe:
- Recent mint, after all! You’ll muddle some leaves on the backside of the cocktail and add extra recent mint sprigs for garnish.
- Easy syrup – For sweetness. It’s easy (get it?) to make your individual at dwelling utilizing simply sugar and water! Find out how with this straightforward easy syrup recipe.
- Bourbon – One thing you need to learn about a mint julep: you’ll be able to actually style the bourbon. There aren’t many different components right here to masks its taste! Select one that you just’d prefer to sip by itself. Our favorites are Bulleit and Woodford Reserve.
- Crushed ice – Shaved ice works too, however I don’t advocate utilizing bigger ice cubes. The finer crushed or shaved ice completely chills the drink and offers it its traditional frosty look. It additionally balances the cocktail because it melts, diluting the whiskey. As a result of greater cubes will soften extra slowly, they received’t have fairly the identical impact right here.
Discover the entire recipe with measurements under.
How one can Make a Mint Julep
Mint juleps are historically served in silver julep cups, however when you don’t have one, that’s okay! In a pinch, a rocks glass works too.
- Begin by muddling the mint with a bit easy syrup on the backside of the cup. You solely have to muddle it frivolously to launch its aromatic oils. Should you bruise or grind the mint leaves an excessive amount of, their taste can change into bitter.
- Prime with the bourbon, and fill the cup with crushed ice. Stir the drink till the glass turns into frosted on the surface.
- Style and regulate. My #1 tip for making cocktails at dwelling! Should you don’t love your first sip of a drink, don’t hesitate to regulate the stability of flavors. Once I make this mint julep recipe, for instance, I typically add an additional splash of easy syrup to make it a bit sweeter. Should you discover the drink too sturdy, take into account that the ice will dilute it because it melts.
- Garnish and serve. Prime your mint julep with extra crushed ice to create a dome, and garnish with a sprig of mint. A tip from bartender Chris McMillian: Frivolously slap the mint earlier than you stick it within the drink. This can launch its refreshing scent.
Take pleasure in!
Discover the entire recipe with measurements under.
Extra Favourite Cocktail Recipes
Should you love this recipe, attempt one in every of these straightforward cocktails subsequent:
Mint Julep
Serves 1
Whether or not you make this mint julep recipe for a Kentucky Derby social gathering or one other event, it is certain to be successful! This traditional bourbon cocktail is fragrant and refreshing.
- 8 recent mint leaves, plus extra for garnish
- ¼ to ½ ounce Easy Syrup
- 2 ounces bourbon
- Crushed ice
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In a julep cup, muddle the mint leaves in ¼ ounce easy syrup. Add the bourbon and fill the cup with crushed ice.
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Stir till the cup turns into frosted on the surface. Style, including extra easy syrup for a sweeter drink.
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Prime with extra crushed ice to create a dome and garnish with extra mint.
