Mint Julep Recipe

If you've ever done a shot of whiskey while chewing a piece of spearmint gum, then you've got an idea of what a mint julep tastes like. It's basically bourbon mixed with fresh mint and simple syrup (liquefied sugar). So yes, it's sort of like a mojito, but instead of having rum and being consumed in Miami or Havana, it has bourbon and it is best consumed while fanning oneself with a straw hat on a front porch in the sweltering Southern heat. Or at Churchill Downs, during the Kentucky Derby, where horse racing fans suck down an estimated 100,000-plus mint juleps on Derby Day (that's tomorrow, in case you hadn't noticed).

The mint julep is actually a nice cocktail anytime, though, so try it tomorrow, then mix it into your cocktail repertoire and bust it out at a barbecue or a picnic this summer.

Mint Julep Recipe
No Ratings
Servings
8
cocktails
Ingredients
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 1/2 cup mint leaves
  • 32 ounces Kentucky bourbon
  • 8 sprigs mint
Directions
  1. Rinse mint prior to chopping. Reserve 8 sprigs for garnishing, roughly chop the rest.
  2. In a small sauce pan, combine water, sugar, and chopped mint. Bring to a moderate boil and reduce by a third. Allow syrup to cool.
  3. Pour syrup through a strainer to remove mint leaves. This can be made several days ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator. 
  4. Fill eight frozen, silver julep cups* with shaved ice and pour 4 ounces of bourbon and approximately 1/4 cup mint syrup depending one’s desired sweetness.
  5. Cut a straw so it reaches about one inch over the rim of the cup. This allows imbibers to take in the minty aromas. Garnish with a mint sprig. Serve immediately.
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