Mint Julep Recipe
Bourbon, mint and sugar over crushed ice.
The Mint Julep is bourbon, fresh mint and sugar served over a mound of crushed ice, traditionally in a frosted silver or pewter cup. It is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby and one of the oldest American cocktails.
Ingredients
- 60 ml Bourbon
- 10 ml Sugar syrup
- 10 leaves Fresh mint
- 1 sprig Mint For the garnish
Garnish: Mint sprig
How to Make a Mint Julep
- Put the mint leaves and sugar syrup in a julep cup or rocks glass.
- Press the mint gently with a muddler or spoon five or six times.
- Add the bourbon and fill the cup halfway with crushed ice.
- Stir until the outside of the cup frosts.
- Pack more crushed ice on top to form a dome.
- Garnish with a large mint sprig and serve with a short straw.
Best Bottles for a Mint Julep in India
Soft and sweet, a classic julep bourbon
Holds up as the crushed ice melts
Good value for a crowd
Tennessee whiskey, slightly sweeter
Prices are the lowest listed India price and vary by state. Check each spirit page for the full state-wise table.
Tips for a Better Mint Julep
- Press the mint, do not shred it. Torn leaves turn the drink bitter.
- Slap the mint sprig against your hand before garnishing and place it next to the straw, so that you smell mint with every sip.
- Hold a metal cup by the rim or base so that your hand does not melt the frost.
About the Mint Julep
The word julep comes from the Persian gulab, meaning rosewater, and reached English through Arabic and French as a term for a sweet medicinal drink. In the American South in the late 1700s it came to mean spirit, sugar and mint, taken in the morning. The first print reference dates to 1803, when the English traveller John Davis described it in Virginia.
Early juleps were made with brandy, rum or rye. Bourbon became the standard as Kentucky's whiskey industry grew, and Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky is credited with introducing the drink to Washington, D.C., at the Round Robin Bar in the Willard Hotel.
Churchill Downs made the Mint Julep the official drink of the Kentucky Derby in 1938, and close to 120,000 are served there over Derby weekend each May. Outside the United States it is best known through that race, but it is a good hot-weather drink anywhere fresh mint grows.
Mint Julep Variations
Frequently Asked Questions
What is in a Mint Julep?
How strong is a Mint Julep?
What is the best bourbon for a Mint Julep?
What is the difference between a Mint Julep and a Mojito?
Why is a Mint Julep served in a metal cup?
When is the Mint Julep traditionally served?
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