This is the perfect mint julep recipe. Muddled mint, bourbon, and mint infused simple syrup are served over crushed ice creating a well-balanced co*cktail.
One of the first events J and I went to together was a Kentucky Derby event. Naturally, I was pleased as punch to put on a pretty dress and sip on bourbon co*cktails all day. This perfect mint julep recipe always takes me back to our sweet beginnings.
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If there’s one thing to know about us is that we LOVE a good bourbon drink. An old fashioned or a Manhattan is J’s go-to, but we can both agree on how refreshing a mint julep is on a hot day.
Coming up with this recipe was actually a little harder than it seems. Because there are so few ingredients, it’s important to let them all shine. I also wanted to make sure the drink wasn’t too bourbon forward. Or too sweet!
But alas, my friends…I have prevailed! And I give you the most perfect mint julep recipe!
What’s in a mint julep?
A mint julep is just bourbon, mint and simple syrup muddled together and served over crushed ice.
What’s the secret to making it perfect?
There are a few secrets to making the best mint julep. Here’s what I found out:
Making a mint simple syrup is the key to making the mint come through. All you have to do is add mint leaves to sugar and water on the stove and let it infuse.
You have to use a lot of fresh mint when muddling. I found that at least 8 large mint leaves for each co*cktail was perfect. If you’ve got mint growing like crazy – this is the recipe for you!
Crushed ice. Serving this over crushed ice is not only texturally pleasing, but it cuts the bourbon and sweetness of the sugar making the perfect consistency and flavor. If you don’t have crushed ice, add ice cubes to a bag and smash with a rolling pin or meat cleaver.
What do you need to make it right?
Mint julep glasses sure are fun! They aren’t entirely necessary, but there’s something about the pretty little goblets. You’ll want to use a muddler or the back of a spoon to release the oils in the mint. I also like to mix the mint, bourbon, and syrup together in a glass co*cktail pitcher before pouring into the glasses. Here’s the one we have and love – this makes a great gift.
Lastly, make sure you have some good bourbon on hand. We like Woodford Reserve, Bullit, Angels Envy, or Maker’s Mark!
Love bourbon co*cktails? You HAVE to try my Old Fashioned co*cktail or my Irish Mule. They’re delish!
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Perfect Mint Julep Recipe
This is the perfect mint julep recipe. Muddled mint, bourbon, and mint infused simple syrup are served over crushed ice creating a well-balanced co*cktail.
For the mint syrup (makes about 8oz or enough for about 16 (8oz) co*cktails)*
2/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup water
10 fresh mint leaves
For the mint julep
8 fresh mint leaves
2 oz bourbon
.5 oz mint simple syrup (or 1 Tbsp.)
crushed ice
mint for garnish – optional
Instructions
To make the syrup, combine the sugar, water, and fresh mint in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.
Let the mixture come to an almost boil and cook until the sugar has dissolved. Just before it boils, remove from the heat and let it cool in the saucepan for 5 minutes.
Transfer the syrup to a glass jar with a lid and let it cool in the refrigerator for a few hours until totally cool or cold. I like to leave the mint leaves in the syrup.
To make the co*cktail, muddle the mint leaves well in the bottom of a glass co*cktail pitcher or large glass. Add the bourbon and mint syrup and muddle again.
Add a handful of ice cubes to the pitcher and stir for 20-30 seconds*.
Immediately pour the drink, straining out the muddled mint, into a julep glass or an 8oz. glass filled to the brim with crushed ice.
Notes
The syrup should last in the fridge for a week or two
If you don’t have crushed ice, add ice cubes to a bag and pound with a rolling pin or meat cleaver
I love this post for learning the proper co*cktail stirring technique
Nutrition
Serving Size:8oz.
Calories:215
Sugar:15 g
Sodium:2 mg
Fat:0 g
Saturated Fat:0 g
Unsaturated Fat:0 g
Trans Fat:0 g
Carbohydrates:18 g
Fiber:0 g
Protein:0 g
Cholesterol:0 mg
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The best bourbon for a Mint Julep is Woodford Reserve. Woodford Reserve is the official bourbon for the Mint Juleps at the Kentucky Derby because of its bold, oaky, and fruity flavors that pair well with the mint.
Place it in the bottom of a co*cktail shaker and use a co*cktail muddler to press it until it becomes aromatic. When you're muddling the mint, your goal isn't to pulverize it or crush it. Instead, just bruise it slightly to help it release its fragrant oils.
These early settlers combined rum or brandy with sweetened water and mint to create a more pleasant drink. This high-society drink was usually consumed in silver stemware and always served with ice (a luxury only the wealthy could afford at the time).
Woodford Reserve has been the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby since 1999, and over the years, its partnership has continued to grow. Last year, the Woodford Reserve Paddock Plaza opened and this year for Derby 150, the Woodford Reserve Paddock Club, a VIP hospitality, luxury space, opened.
To get the most flavor from fresh mint, bruise the leaves. Place the sprigs in a plastic bag and smash them with a meat mallet. This releases their oils—perfect for lemonade and iced or hot tea.
The go-to for co*cktails, spearmint adds a light, bright sweetness to spirits, balancing and enhancing their flavours. Mojito Mint and Kentucky Colonel are noteworthy cultivars with specific co*cktail applications.
According to co*cktail producer Darren Rovell, racegoers at the Kentucky Derby are forced to pay $22 for a Mint Julep at this year's event, which is $7 more than it cost back in 2016.
Voisey says regular spearmint is fine for a julep, but do look for "smooth, bright green leaves, as these will be the most aromatic." Use peppermint at your own risk, however: According to McMillian, "the man who would put peppermint into a mint julep would put scorpions into a baby's bed." His method is to add a ...
Turmeric, related to ginger, gives an earthy flair to this julep. The rose adds sugar and perfume, while the basil makes an excellent alternative to the typical mint garnish.
The price tag is thanks to the silver vehicle in which the co*cktail is served. (You can raise the stakes by purchasing the gold-plated $2,500 “Commonwealth” cup as well).
Because the crushed ice has more surface area than cubes of ice, it melts a bit more into the co*cktail over time, making the drink especially delicious. "That's one of the things that make mint juleps so refreshing, because otherwise it's just a straight spirits co*cktail," says Wachtel.
The Mint Julep is a bourbon co*cktail best known for being the signature drink of the Kentucky Derby. But this refresher composed of bourbon, sugar, mint and crushed ice shouldn't be reserved for only one day a year.
Woodford Reserve has been the “Official Bourbon of the Kentucky Derby” since 1999 and the presenting sponsor for the past four years. The renewed partnership between Woodford and Churchill Downs will continue through 2027.
Some other great choices for this whiskey mule recipe are Woodford Reserve, Maker's Mark, Buffalo Trace and Four Roses. All of these are distilled in Kentucky, and are also delicious in a apple cider bourbon co*cktail.
Both Freddie Johnson and Fred Minnick pointed out that Weller and Pappy Van Winkle share the same recipe. "Everything is the same. It's just where we age it in the warehouse and how long we leave it there," said Freddie Johnson.
For example, Woodford Reserve is the official bourbon served at the Kentucky Derby and included in their mint juleps (until 2027), so that's a good option. On the other hand, my mom always used Jack Daniels (which is technically a bourbon, but markets itself as whiskey).
Introduction: My name is Stevie Stamm, I am a colorful, sparkling, splendid, vast, open, hilarious, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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