The Best Mint Julep Recipe

The Mint Julep is a fresh and minty bourbon cocktail, perfect for celebrating the Kentucky Derby! This recipe uses a delicious and not too sweet homemade mint simple syrup, fresh mint sprigs, your favorite bourbon, and a whole lot of crushed ice.

This is the perfect sweet and refreshing drink for any spring or summer day!

Why you will love this recipe:

The mint julep is the official cocktail of the Kentucky Derby, and it is perfect for any Derby party or sunny day. The fresh mint and crushed ice are the perfect reprieve when it's hot out! 

It's one of my favorite bourbon-based cocktails; it's right up there with the old-fashioned!

Key ingredients for this cocktail:

• Bourbon: this is a bourbon-based cocktail, and the bourbon flavor comes through, so using a top-shelf, and high-quality bourbon is key to a delicious tasting drink.
• Fresh Mint: this recipe calls for A LOT of mint. Some mint leaves are chopped up and added to the simple syrup, and then several springs of the whole mint are added to the glass for more flavor and as a garnish. 
• Fresh Mint Simple Syrup: mint simple syrup is super easy to make. Simply mix the water, sugar, and chopped mint in a small saucepan and heat until all the sugar has dissolved. This syrup is a little watered down because I don't like my drinks too sweet, and a Mint Julep is meant to be refreshing, and this recipe is really refreshing and delicious. 
• Crushed Ice: You can technically use any type of ice you want, but you use crushed ice if you want a traditional Kentucky Derby-style cocktail.

How to make this recipe:

This is so easy to make! 

Start by making the simple syrup:

• Mix the water with the sugar and fresh mint in a small pot. Simmer until the sugar has dissolved and the mint has wilted. Let the mixture cool to room temperature, then add to the cocktail. Store the remaining syrup in a tight air jar in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Then mix the cocktail:

• Mix 2 ounces of bourbon and 1 ounce of the mint simple syrup into a glass. Stir, add a mint sprig, and fill with crushed ice.

Tips and tricks for making this recipe:

• Try and make your simple syrup ahead of time, so it has time to thoroughly cool. You can make it a week ahead of time and store it in the fridge.
• Mix your drink first and add the ice last. This drink is traditionally made by mixing everything together in a glass, adding the mint springs, and then topping it all off with ice.

Here's a video showing how to make this cocktail:

FAQ's:

LOOKING FOR MORE DERBY RECIPES?! CHECK THESE OUT!

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