Learn to make a mint julep with this simple recipe! The normal drink of the Kentucky Derby, this bourbon cocktail is fragrant and refreshing.
Have you ever ever tried a mint julep? If you happen to like recent mint (like me) or bourbon (like Jack), you then completely ought to.
A mint julep is made with 4 easy substances: bourbon, easy syrup, crushed ice, and recent mint.
It’s the standard drink of the Kentucky Derby, and it is perhaps as vital a practice because the horse race itself. The Kentucky Derby’s web site claims that followers eat 125,000 mint juleps on the Churchill Downs racetrack over the race weekend every year!
That mentioned, it doesn’t need to be Derby Day so that you can get pleasure from a mint julep. This ice chilly cocktail is refreshing anytime, and it’s simple to make at house. Find out how with this traditional mint julep recipe!
Mint Julep Elements
Right here’s what you’ll have to make this mint julep recipe:
- Contemporary mint, in fact! You’ll muddle some leaves on the backside of the cocktail and add extra recent mint sprigs for garnish.
- Easy syrup – For sweetness. It’s easy (get it?) to make your individual at house utilizing simply sugar and water! Find out how with this simple easy syrup recipe.
- Bourbon – One thing you need to find out about a mint julep: you may actually style the bourbon. There aren’t many different substances right here to masks its taste! Select one that you just’d wish to sip by itself. Our favorites are Bulleit and Woodford Reserve.
- Crushed ice – Shaved ice works too, however I don’t advocate utilizing bigger ice cubes. The finer crushed or shaved ice totally chills the drink and offers it its traditional frosty look. It additionally balances the cocktail because it melts, diluting the whiskey. As a result of larger cubes will soften extra slowly, they gained’t have fairly the identical impact right here.
Discover the whole recipe with measurements under.
Easy methods to Make a Mint Julep
Mint juleps are historically served in silver julep cups, however in case you don’t have one, that’s okay! In a pinch, a rocks glass works too.
- Begin by muddling the mint with somewhat easy syrup on the backside of the cup. You solely have to muddle it frivolously to launch its aromatic oils. If you happen to bruise or grind the mint leaves an excessive amount of, their taste can turn out to be bitter.
- High with the bourbon, and fill the cup with crushed ice. Stir the drink till the glass turns into frosted on the surface.
- Style and regulate. My #1 tip for making cocktails at house! If you happen to don’t love your first sip of a drink, don’t hesitate to regulate the stability of flavors. Once I make this mint julep recipe, for instance, I usually add an additional splash of straightforward syrup to make it a bit sweeter. If you happen to discover the drink too sturdy, needless to say the ice will dilute it because it melts.
- Garnish and serve. High your mint julep with extra crushed ice to create a dome, and garnish with a sprig of mint. A tip from bartender Chris McMillian: Frivolously slap the mint earlier than you stick it within the drink. This can launch its refreshing scent.
Take pleasure in!
Discover the whole recipe with measurements under.
Extra Favourite Cocktail Recipes
If you happen to love this recipe, attempt one in all these simple cocktails subsequent:
Mint Julep
Serves 1
Whether or not you make this mint julep recipe for a Kentucky Derby celebration or one other event, it is sure to be a success! This traditional bourbon cocktail is fragrant and refreshing.
- 8 recent mint leaves, plus extra for garnish
- ¼ to ½ ounce Easy Syrup
- 2 ounces bourbon
- Crushed ice
Forestall your display screen from going darkish
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In a julep cup, muddle the mint leaves in ¼ ounce easy syrup. Add the bourbon and fill the cup with crushed ice.
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Stir till the cup turns into frosted on the surface. Style, including extra easy syrup for a sweeter drink.
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High with extra crushed ice to create a dome and garnish with extra mint.
