Perfect for Derby Day or any other warm day, this cool and refreshing mint julep recipe is made with crushed ice, an easy simple syrup, Kentucky bourbon and fresh mint. This iconic Kentucky cocktail is just what you need this summer!
Looking for other Derby Day party food or drinks?ย For an alternative drink, try my Kentucky Lemonade Cocktail.ย For some amazing appetizers, try my Beer Cheese, Sausage Rotel Dip, Bourbon BBQ Smoked Chicken Wings, or Chicken Taco Pinwheels.
MINT JULEP RECIPE
Are you a sports fan? ย Most people who say yes to that love more traditional sports like football or baseball (yes to both for me please!!), but did you know that the Kentucky Derby is the longest running sporting event in the United States?
It takes place the first Saturday in May, annually, and is held in Louisville, Kentucky. ย I’ve never actually been, but I have family that lives in Louisville, so I like to think of myself as an honorary Kentuckian!
So why am I going on about the Kentucky derby?
Well because the mint julep is the official drink of the derby, with over 120,000 mint juleps served over the derby weekend each year! ย That’s a lot of bourbon!
Normally, Derby Day is the first Saturday in May, but with all the health issues the world has had so far this year, it’s be postponed until September 5.ย I don’t know about you, but I may just have to celebrate the traditional day in May with an ice cold mint julep cocktail!
I’ve never had one of the infamous cocktails at Churchill Downs (where the Derby is run), but this is my spin on the classic mint julep!
HOW TO MAKE A MINT JULEP
- Prepare simple syrup.ย This is best done ahead of time. ย It needs to be cooled when you add it to your cocktail. ย The good news is, a simple syrup can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks, so feel free to make it as early as you need to.
- Add mint and simple syrup to glass and muddle.ย Muddle is a fancy term for mashing together, so the flavors are “muddled” and not distinctive anymore.ย You can use a cocktail muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon, and just press down to sort of mash the mint into the syrup.
- Add plenty of crushed ice.ย Almost all the way up to the top of the glass.ย If it mounds over a little, that’s totally fine too.ย You want A LOT of ice.
- Pour in water and bourbon.ย Don’t worry, you’re not watering down the bourbon, it’s just a splash of water to help take some of the bite and burn out of a solid 2 oz of bourbon.
- Stir, garnish, and serve.
TRADITIONAL WAY TO SERVE A MINT JULEP
At the Kentucky Derby, mint juleps come in a beautiful silver cup. ย The idea is once you add all the ingredients, the drink is stirred rapidly and the crushed ice causes the cup to frost on the outside.
It’s a beautiful sight, but I don’t have any of those cups, so I usually serve mine in a double old-fashioned glass instead.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MINT JULEPS AND MOJITOS
They both utilize the amazingness of fresh mint, and a simple syrup… but where a mint julep is different is that it doesn’t have any citrus juice and it uses bourbon instead of rum.
ADDITIONAL PREPARATION TIPS
- Use quality bourbon –ย Bourbon is absolutely the star here, so use your favorite brand. ย Woodford Reserve is the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby, but Knob Creek and Maker’s Mark are great alternatives.
- Use plenty of ice… preferably crushed –ย It really chills the drink, and mint juleps are traditionally served with a TON of ice.
- Sipper beware – Mint juleps are a fabulous warm-weather cocktail, and amazingly refreshing to drink! ย But it’s definitely a strong drink… non-bourbon drinkers may find it a bit too strong, so feel free to add more simple syrup and water to dilute the bourbon.
VARIATIONS OF THIS RECIPE
- NON-ALCOHOLIC – There’s really no way to make a non-alcoholic mint julep taste the same as a regular one, since bourbon has a distinctive taste. ย But here’s how to make a mint julep that’s beautiful, yet alcohol-free:
- When making the simple syrup, add a splash of lemon juice
- Replace bourbon with ginger ale
- SIMPLE SYRUP ALTERNATIVE –ย If a simple syrup isn’t possible, add some granulated sugar to the mint and muddle (just as you would with the syrup). ย I definitely prefer the syrup though, since sugar can make the drink a bit grainy.
MAKING A MINT JULEP AHEAD OF TIME
This cocktail comes together SO quickly, there’s really no need for making it ahead of time – and you want it to be ice cold when you sip it, so it’s definitely best served fresh.
However, you CAN, and should, make the simple syrup ahead of time.
Simple syrup can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
STORAGE
There really isn’t any storage necessary, as this recipe is only for a single cocktail.
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT FOR THIS RECIPE
- Cocktail Muddler – a wooden spoon handle works well too, but I really love the grooves on this muddler… it works SO well!
- Double Old Fashioned Glasses – ย these glasses are perfect for so many drinks, and not just cocktails!
BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN TO CHECK OUT OTHER READERSโ COMMENTS FOR TIPS AND REVIEWS.
AND DONโT FORGET, IF YOUโVE MADE THIS RECIPE, LEAVE A COMMENT AND PLEASE GIVE IT A STAR RATING LETTING ME KNOW HOW YOU ENJOYED IT!
Recipe originally published in 2018, and has been republished in 2020 with additional information.
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @the_chunky_chef on Facebook and Instagram!
Ingredients
- 4-5 fresh mint leaves, roughly torn
- 1/2 - 1 oz simple syrup (recipe below in recipe notes) adjust per your tastes
- crushed ice
- splash of cold water
- 2 oz bourbon
- sprig of fresh mint (for garnish - optional)
Instructions
- To bottom of serving glass, add mint leaves and simple syrup. Muddle together with a muddler or handle of a wooden spoon.
- Top with plenty of crushed ice, then pour in splash of cold water, and bourbon. ย
- Stir, garnish with the sprig of mint, and serve!
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Chef Tips
Nutrition Disclaimer
The Chunky Chef is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Nonya byznas says
Bro you getting paid by the word? I donโt need your life story for 3 ingredients thanks
The Chunky Chef says
Hey bro, you seem to have missed the button that says “jump to recipe”, which will take you right to the recipe and save your poor finger all that scrolling for the FREE recipe.
Jac says
Thatโs what food blogs are! Duh
The Chunky Chef says
Common sense is unfortunately not a flower that grows in everyone’s garden ๐
Mutti says
Made my Derby watch party more authentic! They turned out great. Thanks Chunky Chef!
Gwendolyn says
Darling Chunky Chef,
You are fabulous! Love your spunky attitude and impish smile. Keep up the good work.
Hug,
your chunky fan
Brent says
Just made one and let my wife try. I went on the less sweet side at 1.5oz simple syrup with maybe 2.5oz of 90 proof bourbon. Still FAR too sweet. Will probably try another one with 1/2oz simple syrup.
Laura says
Did one part simple syrup, two parts bourbon. This was delish. Thank you!
Shane says
Straight forward recipe, but good lord there is way too much simple syrup. 1/2-3/4 oz max.
Laura says
I didn’t have simple syrup on hand, and for a last minute beverage a couple of cubes of sugar and a teaspoon of water muddled with the mint leaves works well.
The crushed ice really does ice down the drink and a lovely iced glass … yum!
I think next time I’ll use my Moscow Mule mug!
Jan says
Made this tonight & it was yummy but it was very very sweet. Iโd do less than an ounce especially since the simple syrup called for here is sweeter than the one I made which was equal parts water & sugar.
Jenna says
Just made these for the hot derby day we had yesterday but I agree with the comments about sweetness. I, too, want to taste the bourbon and so, I (lush that I apparently am) only used 1/2 oz syrup per drink and no water. I did use a lot of shaved ice though and so, some of that melted pretty quickly probably replicating the water. First time I went to the hassle of shaved ice (using my kids’ snocone maker!) but it actually made a big difference…just SO refreshing and delightful!
Gerry says
We always celebrate Derby Day with mint juleps and snacks. We write out all the horses names and put in a bowl for everyone to pick one (or more) and cheer them on to victory! This year the grandkids were old enough to participate (except with the juleps!). They were so excited and loved it! I couldnโt find my recipe for juleps so used this one! It is d3finitely a keeper!
Jill says
Love your recipe. I spent 19 years working for two weeks in Louisville. We’d drink mint juleps at Churchill Downs and at the Brown Hotel (famous for the Hot Brown). For Derby week they muddle the mint and put it in the simple syrups for several weeks in advance to have enough for customers. You should try this and see if the results are the same.
Sheila Lichtenfeld says
I made and drank this Mint Julep today for the Kentucky Derby. Used Makers Mark, my home grown mint leaves and it was delicious. Thank you for this wonderful drink.
Densey says
thanksย
Adam Behm says
This was way too sweet for my taste. Iโm a bourbon drinker, so I prefer to taste it. It recommend 3/4 oz max of the simple syrup.
Ps I love your sloppy joe recipe.ย
Cathy says
This is the perfect Julep!
Sandra says
I love how refreshing this is!! So delicious!
Catalina says
Oh my goodness! I need one of these right now!
Haley D Williams says
This loos delicious! Great way to end every week with!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
This sounds so refreshing for summer!