This Espresso Mint Julep is a minty espresso twist on the classic cocktail. It combines a shot of freshly brewed espresso, simple syrup, fresh mint, lots of crushed ice, and a dash of bitters. It's the perfect summer treat for espresso cocktail lovers!
Mint Juleps are for more than Kentucky Derby parties and are a classic spring and summer cocktail that should be more popular than they are. This version with espresso is the perfect refreshing summer treat. Just check out this frozen pineapple mint julep.
Espresso and bourbon are such a natural and delicious flavor combination, this bourbon espresso old fashioned is another great option if you love these flavors!
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Key Ingredients:
Bourbon: Mint juleps are almost always made with bourbon. But you could substitute for rye or even brandy!
🥃 WHAT BOURBON WORKS BEST FOR THIS COCKTAIL?
A good classic, even bourbon, is my preference for this cocktail. Since we are blending it with quite a bit of fresh fruit, I'm not using my really high-end bourbon; something solid like Woodford Reserve or Old Forester is great for this cocktail!
Espresso: a freshly brewed shot of espresso is key to the deliciousness of this cocktail, so don't substitute it for cold brew or regular coffee.
Simple Syrup: a classic simple syrup of 1 part sugar to 1 part water sweetens this cocktail and makes it sweet and refreshing.
Fresh mint: This recipe requires a lot of mint. Some mint leaves are blended with the pineapple, and several sprigs of whole mint are added to the glass for more flavor and garnish.
Ice: it wouldn't be a mint julep without a heavy helping of ice, and ½ cup is added to the mixture to help create the frozen texture.
Angostura bitters: These are optional but I think they add a nice complexity to the cocktail and complement the bourbon and espresso.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make this recipe:
Step 1: Add 1 oz simple syrup and the mint leaves from 1 mint sprig to a glass and muddle.
Step 2: Add some crushed ice and stir to chill.
Step 3: Top with 2 oz bourbon and 1 shot espresso, stir to combine.
Step 4: Top with enough crushed ice to fill the glass. Top with 1-2 dashes bitters and garnish with more fresh mint.
Expert Tips:
Make your own syrup: making your own simple is so easy and cost-effective. Just cook 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar until all the sugar has melted, then let cool.
To get perfect crushed ice at home blend ice in a food processor. A blender makes ice too fine and more like shaved ice, but it comes out perfect in the processor!
To get the iconic mint julep ice dome, fill the glass with crushed ice then use your hand to squeeze the ice into that shape
To really bring out the flavor in the mint, give it a quick slap with your hands before muddling and garnishing.
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
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Espresso Mint Julep
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
- Category: cocktail
- Method: stirred
- Cuisine: american
Description
This Espresso Mint Julep is a minty espresso twist on the classic cocktail. It combines a shot of freshly brewed espresso, simple syrup, fresh mint, lots of crushed ice, and a dash of bitters. It's the perfect summer treat for espresso cocktail lovers!
Ingredients
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 2 mint sprigs
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1 shot of freshly brewed espresso (about 1.5 ounces)
- 1-2 dashes Angostura bitters (optional)
Instructions
- Add 1 oz simple syrup and the mint leaves from 1 mint sprig to a medium-sized glass and muddle.
- Add some crushed ice and stir to chill.
- Top with 2 oz bourbon and 1 shot espresso, stir to combine.
- Fill the glass with crushed ice. Add 1-2 dashes of bitters and garnish with the additional sprig of fresh mint.
Notes
Make your own syrup: making your own simple is so easy and cost-effective. Just cook 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar until all the sugar has melted, then let cool and strain.
To get perfect crushed ice at home blend ice in a food processor. A blender makes ice too fine and more like shaved ice, but it comes out perfect in the processor!
Elizabeth says
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