Mint Julep

Mint Julep

Crushed ice and bruised mint turn bourbon silky and cool in minutes.

Total 5 min Makes 1 serving Calories 165/serving

Dietary

Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Wheat free, Dairy free, Nut free, Kosher

This classic Southern cocktail layers fresh mint, sugar syrup, and bourbon over crushed ice until the julep cup frosts over. It's the traditional pour for Kentucky Derby day, but the technique of muddling mint and chilling the cup rewards any warm evening.

Ingredients

  • 10 fresh mint leaves, plus 1 sprig for garnish
  • 1/4 ounce simple syrup
  • 2 1/2 ounces bourbon
  • 1 cup crushed ice, divided

Method

  1. Chill a julep cup or rocks glass in the freezer for at least 10 minutes.

  2. Place the mint leaves and simple syrup in the bottom of the chilled cup. Gently press the mint with a muddler or wooden spoon just until fragrant, 5 to 10 seconds; do not shred the leaves.

  3. Pack the cup half full with crushed ice.

  4. Pour the bourbon over the ice.

  5. Top with the remaining crushed ice, mounding it above the rim of the cup.

  6. Stir gently with a bar spoon until the outside of the cup starts to frost, about 20 seconds.

  7. Garnish with the mint sprig, placing it so the mint sits near the drinker's nose, and serve with a short straw.

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Mint Julep

This classic Southern cocktail layers fresh mint, sugar syrup, and bourbon over crushed ice until the julep cup frosts over. It's the traditional pour for Kentucky Derby day, but the technique of muddling mint and chilling the cup rewards any warm evening.

5 min 1 serving 165 cal

Ingredients

  • 10 fresh mint leaves, plus 1 sprig for garnish
  • 1/4 ounce simple syrup
  • 2 1/2 ounces bourbon
  • 1 cup crushed ice, divided

Method

  1. 1

    Chill a julep cup or rocks glass in the freezer for at least 10 minutes.

  2. 2

    Place the mint leaves and simple syrup in the bottom of the chilled cup. Gently press the mint with a muddler or wooden spoon just until fragrant, 5 to 10 seconds; do not shred the leaves.

  3. 3

    Pack the cup half full with crushed ice.

  4. 4

    Pour the bourbon over the ice.

  5. 5

    Top with the remaining crushed ice, mounding it above the rim of the cup.

  6. 6

    Stir gently with a bar spoon until the outside of the cup starts to frost, about 20 seconds.

  7. 7

    Garnish with the mint sprig, placing it so the mint sits near the drinker's nose, and serve with a short straw.