Mint Julep Recipe
A frosty silver cup packed with crushed ice, fresh mint, and good bourbon: the Mint Julep is the South's most famous warm-weather drink. Build it right and every sip stays cold, minty, and just sweet enough.
Ingredients
- 2.5 ozbourbon
- 0.5 ozsimple syrup
- 8 to 10 leavesfresh mint, plus a sprig for garnish
- crushed ice
Garnish
- Fresh mint sprig, slapped against your palm to release oils
Equipment: Julep cup or rocks glass, bar spoon, jigger, muddler (optional), crushed ice
Method
- Add the mint leaves and simple syrup to the julep cup and gently press with a muddler or the back of a spoon, just enough to release the oils. Do not shred the leaves.
- Add the bourbon and stir briefly to combine.
- Fill the cup to the top with crushed ice and stir until the outside of the cup frosts over.
- Top with a small dome of crushed ice so the drink stays cold to the last sip.
- Slap the mint sprig against your palm and tuck it into the ice, then serve immediately.
About the Mint Julep
The Mint Julep has roots in the 18th century, when Americans drank spirit over ice with mint as a morning tonic. It became a Kentucky signature in the 19th century and is now the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, though a well-made julep belongs on any Long Island porch from May through September.
The technique is simple but unforgiving: use crushed ice, not cubes, and stir until the cup frosts. Go easy on the muddling so the mint stays fresh rather than bitter, and keep the syrup restrained so the bourbon leads. A high-proof bourbon holds up well against the ice, while a wheated bourbon gives a softer, sweeter sip.
- Chill the julep cup in the freezer for 10 minutes before building for a longer-lasting frost.
- Use crushed ice, never cubed, so the drink stays cold without over-diluting.
- Muddle gently: bruised mint turns bitter, so press just until you smell the oils.
- Skip the mint garnish if you like, but always slap the sprig first to wake up the aroma.
Get the bottles delivered
Order online for same-day or next-day Long Island delivery, free curbside pickup in Commack, or wine shipping where it is legal (spirits are local delivery and in-store pickup only). You must be 21 or older.
