This is a personal question because it really comes down to your favorite bourbon! (Make sure you do this before making mint syrup, too!) Best bourbon for a mint julep Also called “spanking” the mint, this helps to wake up the fragrant essential oils in the leaves. Tip: Hold the mint leaves in the palm of your hand and clap your hands together a few times. Fresh mintįor the garnish, a fresh mint sprig will make your cocktail look ultra official. You can use the crushed ice from your fridge, grind ice up in a blender or go old-school with a lewis bag and mallet. You will want to pack it into the cup like a snow cone. (See below for more tips.) Crushed iceįinely crushed ice is key to the mint julep. If you have a favorite bourbon, use it here! I love Old Forester for its sweet caramel flavor it brings to a drink at a good price, but there are many more options out there that would be equally delicious. This mint julep syrup is essentially the same thing. You can also buy mint syrup if you prefer to order ahead for a big party. However, you can also use sugar or plain simple syrup along with fresh mint if you don’t want to make a mint-infused version. (You’ll want to save some mint for the garnish, too.) You can use it to easily make a big batch of Derby cocktails. Mint simple syrup is easy to make with sugar, water and lots of fresh mint. Here’s what you need to pick up at the grocery store to make a mint julep: Mint syrup This sweet drink is incredibly simple and can be made with just a few ingredients. However, it can also be made with pure sugar instead of syrup.

My recipe calls for a quick simple syrup infused with fresh mint, bourbon and crushed ice. (While you don’t have to serve it in a fancy cup, I do recommend wearing your fanciest hat like the Derby-goers!) Easy mint julep recipe Here are a few of my favorite julep cups if you’re looking to add to your glassware collection: favorite julep cups I love perusing these vintage derby cups on Etsy. Hold the cup by the bottom or the top to keep the frosty appearance on the cup (and your hand a bit warmer).Įach year the Kentucky Derby designs a collectible glass to commemorate the occasion. However, you can also use a rocks glass or other glass as a mint julep cup. The metal-plated cups keep the drink ice cold, not unlike the copper mugs that are used for Moscow Mules. You can find them online in stainless steel or silver-plated, sometimes there are even brass or pewter cups. Mint juleps are often served in a silver cup. If you find yourself in Louisville, Kentucky, head to the Silver Dollar and order their mint julep - it’s the best julep I’ve ever had that I didn’t make myself. The mint julep we know and love became the official drink of the Kentucky Derby in 1938 and is served in bars around the world. Kentucky Senator Henry Clay then brought the recipe with him to Washington, D.C.

The recipe then traveled to Kentucky where bourbon whiskey replaced the need to import booze from the Caribbean. However, it dates back to before the Civil War and has roots in Virginia where it was made with rum and brandy and was enjoyed for medicinal purposes. The mint julep is one of the oldest cocktails and has lots of Great Gatsby vibes. I much prefer my way so you can choose your own bourbon! History of the mint julep I’ll go into more detail on my favorite bourbons for mint juleps below, but I will note that their comment above points out that they use the mint-infused bourbon by Old Forester. “That’s a feat that requires more than 10,000 bottles of Old Forester Mint Julep Ready-to-Serve Cocktail, 1,000 pounds of freshly harvested mint and 60,000 pounds of ice.” The official drink of the Kentucky DerbyĪccording to the Kentucky Derby website, as many as 120,000 mint juleps are served over the two-day period of Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby weekend at the Churchill Downs Racetrack. (Ideally alongside a slice of Kentucky Derby Pie.)īecause they are often served in a silver julep cup, these cocktails become ice cold, so they are extra delicious on a hot day. Though these strong cocktails are traditionally served at the Kentucky Derby, they can be enjoyed any time of year. Mint juleps are a simple yet classic cocktail made of sweetened bourbon poured over ice with aromatic mint. When your herb garden is overflowing with mint, it means two things: 1) you have mastered herb gardening and 2) it’s time to make a mint julep. Famous for its starring role at the Kentucky Derby, the mint julep is a classic bourbon cocktail filled with fresh flavor and is perfect for afternoon sipping.