Discover ways to make a mint julep with this straightforward recipe! The standard drink of the Kentucky Derby, this bourbon cocktail is fragrant and refreshing.
Have you ever ever tried a mint julep? In the event you like recent mint (like me) or bourbon (like Jack), then you definitely completely ought to.
A mint julep is made with 4 easy elements: bourbon, easy syrup, crushed ice, and recent mint.
It’s the normal drink of the Kentucky Derby, and it could be 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 must be Derby Day so that you can get pleasure from a mint julep. This ice chilly cocktail is refreshing anytime, and it’s straightforward to make at dwelling. Find out how with this basic mint julep recipe!
Mint Julep Substances
Right here’s what you’ll have to make this mint julep recipe:
- Recent 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 personal at dwelling utilizing simply sugar and water! Find out how with this straightforward easy syrup recipe.
- Bourbon – One thing you need to learn about a mint julep: you may actually style the bourbon. There aren’t many different elements right here to masks its taste! Select one that you simply’d prefer 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 basic frosty look. It additionally balances the cocktail because it melts, diluting the whiskey. As a result of greater cubes will soften extra slowly, they received’t have fairly the identical impact right here.
Discover the entire recipe with measurements beneath.
Easy methods to Make a Mint Julep
Mint juleps are historically served in silver julep cups, however if you happen to don’t have one, that’s okay! In a pinch, a rocks glass works too.
- Begin by muddling the mint with just a little easy syrup on the backside of the cup. You solely have to muddle it evenly to launch its aromatic oils. In the event you bruise or grind the mint leaves an excessive amount of, their taste can turn into bitter.
- High with the bourbon, and fill the cup with crushed ice. Stir the drink till the glass turns into frosted on the skin.
- Style and modify. My #1 tip for making cocktails at dwelling! In the event you 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. In the event you discover the drink too robust, remember that 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: Flippantly slap the mint earlier than you stick it within the drink. This can launch its refreshing scent.
Get pleasure from!
Discover the entire recipe with measurements beneath.
Extra Favourite Cocktail Recipes
In the event you love this recipe, strive one in all these straightforward 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 certain to be successful! This basic 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 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 skin. 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.
