Mint Julep Cocktail
If you aren’t making this mint julep cocktail recipe all summer long, you are missing out! The mint julep is a classic cocktail recipe that everyone should have in their back pocket. It’s the official cocktail recipe of the Kentucky Derby, but it’s so good that it’s worth drinking all spring and summer.
To make this classic mint julep recipe, you only need a handful of ingredients and no fancy equipment!
What is a Mint Julep Cocktail?
A mint julep is a classic southern cocktail made with bourbon, mint, and sugar. Mint juleps are the official drink of the Kentucky Derby and have been around since the 1700s.
How to make a Mint Julep Cocktail
This recipe for a mint julep cocktail couldn’t be easier to make! It’s perfect for all your summer backyard bbq’s and parties.
Tools Needed
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Bourbon
- Sugar
- Fresh mint
- Lemons
- Crushed Ice
The Process
- Step one: Combine 2-3 mint sprigs with the sugar and water in a small saucepan over low heat and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Remove the syrup from the heat and let it steep for 20 minutes.
- Step two: Remove the mint from the syrup and transfer to an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- Step three: In a cocktail glass, muddle 5-6 mint leaves with 1 oz of simple syrup. Add the bourbon and a squeeze of fresh lemon and fill the glass with crushed ice. Garnish with a mint sprig and dehydrated lemon wheel.
Mint Julep Cocktail Tips
Use high-quality bourbon. When you have a cocktail recipe that only has a few ingredients, make sure those are high-quality ingredients. Woodford Reserve is my go-to, but Bulleit bourbon is a great budget-option.
The type of ice matters! Mint juleps are made with crushed ice which melts more quickly, keeping the cocktail from being too boozy. I only have whole cubes, so I put the ice in a large ziplock bag and cover it with a towel and crush the ice with a rolling pin. You can also buy bags of ice from Sonic, which is arguably the best ice for cocktails.
The right garnish makes a difference. How a cocktail tastes is the most important, but I also love a cocktail that looks pretty! Making dehydrated lemon wheels is so easy and you can keep them for MONTHS.
How to make Dried Lemon Wheels
I love dried citrus for cocktail garnishes! They’re so easy to make and you can keep them forever.
Place a wire rack over a baking sheet and preheat an oven to 225 F. Thinly slice several lemons and remove any visible seeds. Place the lemon slices on the wire rack and transfer to the oven. Bake for 3-4 hours, until dry to the touch.
Cool to room temperature and then store in an airtight container at room temperature.
More Summer Cocktail Recipes to Try
Passion Fruit Whiskey Sour
Mai Tai Cocktail
Blackberry Whiskey Smash
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Mint Julep Cocktail
Ingredients
Mint Syrup
- 3-4 fresh mint sprigs
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
Mint Julep Cocktail
- 1 oz mint syrup
- 2.5 oz bourbon
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- crushed ice
- mint sprigs, for garnish
- dehydrated lemon wheel, for garnish
Instructions
Mint Syrup
- In a small saucepan, combine the water and sugar and place over medium-low heat. Stir often until the sugar is dissolved and then add the mint sprigs. Cook for another 2 minutes and then remove the syrup from the heat. Steep for 20 minutes then remove the mint. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Mint Julep Cocktail
- In a cocktail glass, muddle 5-6 mint leaves with the mint syrup. Add the bourbon and lemon juice and stir. Fill the glass with crushed ice and garnish with mint and a lemon wheel.
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