Whip up our go-to mint julep recipe for a deliciously easy take on this classic cocktail. All you need is 3 ingredients, and ice to serve over. Cheers!
Mint Julep Season!
Tis the season, friends! Spring has sprung here in Minneapolis, and the Kentucky Derby is right around corner, which has us craving a mint julep cocktail. Our take on a mint julep is made with a simple syrup, bourbon and muddled mint — and it’s oh so easy to make. We’ll walk you through it!
What is a Mint Julep?
A mint julep is a cocktail made primarily of bourbon, with sugar and mint, served over ice. It’s commonly associated with the Kentucky Derby, and is often served at the event as well as viewing parties around the world.
What You Need
- Fresh mint leaves
- Simple syrup
- Bourbon
- Ice
Easy Swaps
Honey simple syrup –> granulated sugar simple syrup: we LOVE our honey simple syrup recipe, but if you prefer to make a traditional granulated simple sugar for this mint julep, go right ahead!
Bourbon –> rye whiskey: a traditional mint julep calls for bourbon, which has a sweeter flavor profile than rye whiskey. If you use rye whiskey instead, know that the cocktail will have a more earthy flavor, making it less sweet. You may need to increase the simple sugar used to compensate for this.
How to Make a Mint Julep
This mint julep recipe is as easy as 1-2-3. Especially if you already. have a simple syrup on hand (Don’t have simple syrup? Learn how to make one below!). We’ll walk you through it:
- Add mint leaves and simple syrup to a lowball glass and muddle until the mint is fragrant and broken up a bit. If you don’t have a muddler, the back of a wooden spoon works as well. This will help to not only sweeten your mint julep, but to infuse the entire cocktail with flavorful mint.
- Add bourbon.
- Finally, fill the glass with crushed ice and stir to combine. Feel free to garnish with a mint leaf or two when serving.
How to Make a Simple Syrup
Simple syrup is such an easy thing to make at home. It sounds intimidating, but let me tell you, it’s not! We’ll walk you through it:
- Place water and sugar in a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil and then turn to low and let simmer for 10 minutes to dissolve the sugar.
- Turn heat off and let cool for 10 minutes. Once cool, transfer to an airtight container and chill.
Storage: Store simple syrup in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 10 days.
Try it!
Honey Simple Syrup
Our go-to honey simple syrup recipe is an excellent all-natural simple syrup and so easy to make. It’s delicious in cocktails, lemonade, and even in some baking recipes!
Best Bourbon for Mint Juleps
- Maker’s Mark
- Basil Hayden’s
- Woodford Reserve
- A rye whiskey would also work, but will give these mint juleps a more earthy flavor that is less sweet
Can I batch make this cocktail?
To turn this single-serve cocktail into a pitcher, simply use our ingredient multiplier in the recipe card. Follow the recipe as is and then garnish each mint julep cocktail with a mint leaf or two.
Mint Julep Recipe
Whip up our go-to mint julep recipe for a deliciously easy take on this classic cocktail. All you need is 3 ingredients, and ice to serve over. Cheers!
Prep: 10 minutesCook: 0 minutesTotal: 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 large mint leaves
- ½ ounce simple syrup, or more to taste
- 2-oz. bourbon
Instructions
- Add mint leaves and simple syrup to a lowball glass and muddle until the mint is fragrant and broken up a bit. If you don’t have a muddler, the back of a wooden spoon works as well.
- Add bourbon.
- Finally, fill the glass with crushed ice and stir to combine.
Tips & Notes
- We recommend Maker’s Mark or Basil Hayden’s in mint juleps, but you could also use a Rye if you wanted a more earthy / less sweet cocktail.
- To make simple syrup, combine ½ cup of water and ½ cup of sugar in a small saucepan. Bring it to a boil and cook until the sugar has dissolved. Allow it to cool and then keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to ten days.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1
Calories: 193
Sugar: 12
Sodium: 3
Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 13
Fiber: 0
Protein: 0
Cholesterol: 0
Keywords: mint julep