Discover ways to make a mint julep with this straightforward recipe! The normal drink of the Kentucky Derby, this bourbon cocktail is fragrant and refreshing.
Have you ever ever tried a mint julep? In case you like recent mint (like me) or bourbon (like Jack), then you definately completely ought to.
A mint julep is made with 4 easy components: bourbon, easy syrup, crushed ice, and recent mint.
It’s the normal drink of the Kentucky Derby, and it is likely to be as necessary a practice because the horse race itself. The Kentucky Derby’s web site claims that followers devour 125,000 mint juleps on the Churchill Downs racetrack over the race weekend every year!
That stated, it doesn’t need to be Derby Day so that you can get pleasure from a mint julep. This ice chilly cocktail is refreshing anytime, and it’s straightforward to make at dwelling. Learn the way with this traditional mint julep recipe!
Mint Julep Components
Right here’s what you’ll must make this mint julep recipe:
- Recent mint, after all! You’ll muddle some leaves on the backside of the cocktail and add extra recent mint sprigs for garnish.
- Easy syrup – For sweetness. It’s easy (get it?) to make your personal at dwelling utilizing simply sugar and water! Learn the way with this straightforward easy syrup recipe.
- Bourbon – One thing it is best to find out about a mint julep: you may actually style the bourbon. There aren’t many different components right here to masks its taste! Select one that you just’d wish to sip by itself. Our favorites are Bulleit and Woodford Reserve.
- Crushed ice – Shaved ice works too, however I don’t suggest utilizing bigger ice cubes. The finer crushed or shaved ice totally chills the drink and offers it its traditional frosty look. It additionally balances the cocktail because it melts, diluting the whiskey. As a result of larger cubes will soften extra slowly, they gained’t have fairly the identical impact right here.
Discover the whole recipe with measurements under.
Make a Mint Julep
Mint juleps are historically served in silver julep cups, however in the event you don’t have one, that’s okay! In a pinch, a rocks glass works too.
- Begin by muddling the mint with somewhat easy syrup on the backside of the cup. You solely must muddle it calmly to launch its aromatic oils. In case you bruise or grind the mint leaves an excessive amount of, their taste can change into bitter.
- Prime with the bourbon, and fill the cup with crushed ice. Stir the drink till the glass turns into frosted on the surface.
- Style and modify. My #1 tip for making cocktails at dwelling! In case you don’t love your first sip of a drink, don’t hesitate to regulate the stability of flavors. Once I make this mint julep recipe, for instance, I typically add an additional splash of easy syrup to make it a bit sweeter. In case you discover the drink too sturdy, understand that the ice will dilute it because it melts.
- Garnish and serve. Prime your mint julep with extra crushed ice to create a dome, and garnish with a sprig of mint. A tip from bartender Chris McMillian: Calmly slap the mint earlier than you stick it within the drink. It will launch its refreshing scent.
Get pleasure from!
Discover the whole recipe with measurements under.
Extra Favourite Cocktail Recipes
In case you love this recipe, strive one in all these straightforward cocktails subsequent:
Mint Julep
Serves 1
Whether or not you make this mint julep recipe for a Kentucky Derby get together or one other event, it is sure to be successful! This traditional bourbon cocktail is fragrant and refreshing.
- 8 recent mint leaves, plus extra for garnish
- ¼ to ½ ounce Easy Syrup
- 2 ounces bourbon
- Crushed ice
Forestall your display from going darkish
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In a julep cup, muddle the mint leaves in ¼ ounce easy syrup. Add the bourbon and fill the cup with crushed ice.
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Stir till the cup turns into frosted on the surface. Style, including extra easy syrup for a sweeter drink.
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Prime with extra crushed ice to create a dome and garnish with extra mint.
