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Mint Julep

August 22, 2024

Why mess with perfection? Our easy Mint Julep recipe is made with the classic trio of simple syrup, bourbon and lots of fresh mint. Add crushed ice, and get sipping.

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homemade mint julep in a glass made with fresh mint, bourbon and simple syrup served over crushed ice with fresh mint leaves
Photography by Gayle McLeod

A Classic Mint Julep Recipe

For a fresh, refreshing drink to sip from the Kentucky Derby in May right on through summer’s dog days, look no further than the most famous bourbon cocktail of all: The classic Mint Julep. Much like our other beloved minty cocktails — looking at you Mojitos and Moscow Mules — this drink is all about the simple beauty of crushed ice + boozy heat + cooling fresh mint. Simple syrup sweetens things up just enough to make it all go down like a dream.

crushed ice, bourbon, fresh int leaves, sugar and water in prep bowls to make mint juleps

Mint Julep Ingredients

  • Fresh mint.
  • Bourbon whiskey.
  • Simple syrup. Simple syrup is a classic cocktail ingredient, but don’t stress about having to buy anything special — it’s just sugar + water, and we’ll show you how to make it.
water, sugar and fresh mint leaves in a saucepan to make mint simple syrup
mint leaves being strained out of homemade mint simple syrup

How To Make A Mint Julep

  1. Make mint simple syrup. It’s your Kentucky Derby party (or backyard BBQ, or summer hang out) and you want to mingle, not muddle! It’s a lot easier to make a lot of juleps in one go if you make syrup so there’s no need to muddle the mint and sugar for every drink! It’ll only take a few minutes to mix up an easy mint-infused simple syrup that you add straight to the bourbon and crushed ice. You can even make it up to a week ahead of time.
  2. Grab some crushed ice! You can use a ziplock bag and a rolling pin or get fancy with legit, julep-making, real deal ice crusher!
  3. Fill your julep cup until it’s mounded with crushed ice. You can use whatever cup you have on hand, but sterling silver julep cups are pretty fun to have around.
  4. Add the bourbon, and then a drizzle of your homemade mint syrup. Start with just a little simple syrup, and let guests add more as they desire—remember, you can always make it sweeter, but you can’t unsweeten.
  5. Garnish with fresh mint. Sip!
bourbon being poured into a glass with crushed ice
mint simple syrup being poured into a glass with crushed ice and bourbon

Tips For Making Mint Juleps

  • Yes! You can make your minty simple syrup ahead of time! Make the syrup, let it cool and store it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week.
  • Use good bourbon. Any high-quality bourbon that you like to drink on its own will work well. Some of our go-to brands that are widely available include Makers Mark, Bulliett and Buffalo Trace. If you’re not sure what to buy, ask the folks at the liquor store what they love that’s in your budget.
  • Again with the fresh mint. When a cocktail has so few ingredients, you really want to be sure they’re all delicious. The mint julep is a celebration of fresh summer mint — use the best you can find.
homemade julep in a glass made with fresh mint, bourbon and simple syrup served over crushed ice with fresh mint leaves
homemade juleps in glasses made with fresh mint, bourbon and simple syrup served over crushed ice with fresh mint leaves

Cheers To Julep Season!

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Mint Julep

  • Serves:  4
  • Yields:  4 cocktails
  • Prep Time:  15 min
  • Cook Time:  5 min

Ingredients

  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ cup fresh mint leaves, plus more for garnish
  • 16 ounces Kentucky Bourbon

Method

  1. Make the mint simple syrup. In a small saucepan set over high heat, combine the sugar, water and mint leaves. Bring to a boil, then cook, stirring until the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool, about 10 minutes. Discard mint leaves.

    water, sugar and fresh mint leaves in a saucepan to make mint simple syrup
  2. Fill four 10-ounce cups with crushed ice. Pour 4 ounces of bourbon and 1½ ounces of the mint syrup into each cup. Gently stir. Garnish with additional mint.

    homemade juleps in glasses made with fresh mint, bourbon and simple syrup served over crushed ice with fresh mint leaves

Notes

Since the early 1950s, Churchill Downs has traditionally served mint juleps in a sterling silver cup. While we love the idea of serving this drink in a cute ‘mint julep’ cup, any 10-ounce glass will do.

Nutrition Info

  • Per Serving
  • Amount
  • Calories 334
  • Protein 0 g
  • Carbohydrates 19 g
  • Total Fat 0 g
  • Dietary Fiber 0 g
  • Cholesterol 0 mg
  • sodium 2 mg
  • Total Sugars 19 g

Mint Julep

Questions & Reviews

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  • Beth

    Love the mint julep recipe. However, I need to make it for a crowd (13). Seems pretty easy to just scale up. I just want to make sure there isn't something I should be aware of.

    Should be fine to scale up, Beth! Hope you all enjoy!

  • Jenn

    This was so refreshing! I"ll be drinking this on repeat all summer!

    Thank Jenn, glad you liked it!