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Learn to make a mint julep with this straightforward recipe! The normal 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), 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 likely to be as vital a convention because the horse race itself. The Kentucky Derby’s web site claims that followers devour 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 take pleasure in a mint julep. This ice chilly cocktail is refreshing anytime, and it’s straightforward to make at dwelling. Learn the way with this traditional mint julep recipe!
Mint Julep Components
Right here’s what you’ll have to make this mint julep recipe:
- Contemporary mint, after all! 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! Learn the way with this straightforward easy syrup recipe.
- Bourbon – One thing you need to find out about a mint julep: you possibly can actually style the bourbon. There aren’t many different substances right here to masks its taste! Select one that you just’d prefer to sip by itself. Our favorites are Bulleit and Woodford Reserve.
- Crushed ice – Shaved ice works too, however I don’t suggest utilizing bigger ice cubes. The finer crushed or shaved ice totally chills the drink and provides it its traditional frosty look. It additionally balances the cocktail because it melts, diluting the whiskey. As a result of greater cubes will soften extra slowly, they gained’t have fairly the identical impact right here.
Discover the whole recipe with measurements under.
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 calmly to launch its aromatic oils. In the event you bruise or grind the mint leaves an excessive amount of, their taste can turn out to be bitter.
- Prime with the bourbon, and fill the cup with crushed ice. Stir the drink till the glass turns into frosted on the surface.
- 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 steadiness of flavors. Once I make this mint julep recipe, for instance, I typically add an additional splash of easy syrup to make it a bit sweeter. In the event you discover the drink too sturdy, take into account that the ice will dilute it because it melts.
- Garnish and serve. Prime your mint julep with extra crushed ice to create a dome, and garnish with a sprig of mint. A tip from bartender Chris McMillian: Evenly 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
In the event you love this recipe, attempt considered one of these straightforward cocktails subsequent:
Mint Julep
Serves 1
Whether or not you make this mint julep recipe for a Kentucky Derby occasion 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
Stop 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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Prime with extra crushed ice to create a dome and garnish with extra mint.