Classic Bourbon Mint Julep
This post contains affiliate links (paid links). Advertisements displayed on this website do not reflect endorsements or recommendations made by Mitten Girl LLC. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Skip to Recipe
The classic mint julep is a Southern tradition steeped in history, but it’s not a cocktail we see much here in Michigan unless it’s Kentucky Derby time. However this delicious drink is easy to make and definitely one to try at home! Perfect for hot days, the combination of muddled mint, sugar, and bourbon served over crushed ice is surprisingly refreshing to cool you down.
Originating in the American South, mint juleps are synonymous with the Kentucky Derby, where it has been served for over a century. Here in Michigan you only see it on menus for one weekend a year – when the Run for the Roses happens in May. While most have heard of a mint julep, it’s not uncommon to meet people in the Midwest who’ve never had one.
The mint julep is an ideal bourbon cocktail for warm afternoons and summer gatherings, making it a must-try for any cocktail lover. With its bold flavors of fresh mint and smooth bourbon, combined with its snowcone amount of ice, there’s zero reason not to be sipping it on a hot July day – wherever you live.
Ingredients
- Bourbon – Choose your favorite Kentucky bourbon (it MUST be from Kentucky for a julep!) for this recipe. Woodford Reserve is the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby. I love Four Roses or Buffalo Trace for my juleps.
- Simple Syrup – Make this sweetener at home with white sugar and water. You can get my recipe plus all my tips and tricks over on my simple syrup recipe page. Traditional juleps are pretty sweet, but feel free to adjust it to taste in this recipe. (It’s your drink afterall.)
- Mint Leaves – A mint julep relies heavily on fresh mint leaves, so nothing else will do here. The fresher your mint the better. (See my tip below on reviving mint fresh.)
- Club Soda (optional) – A splash of club soda or sparkling water is an optional addition to the top of your drink.
- Crushed Ice – While ice is always an ingredient in a cocktail, it plays an especially important role in the mint julep so I’m including it in the ingredient list. You want crushed ice (think snow cone consistency) for this drink. (See my note below on this.)
How to Make a Classic Mint Julep
Place the mint and simple syrup in a julep cup or rocks glass.
Muddle gently to release the oils in the mint.
Add the bourbon. Fill your glass half full with crushed ice and give everything a gentle stir.
Finish filling your glass with ice. (Really pack it in the glass. This is key!) Top with a splash of club soda or sparkling water.
Mint Julep Bourbon Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 oz Bourbon
- 0.75 oz Simple syrup
- 10-12 leaves Fresh mint
- 1 oz Club soda, or sparkling water (optional)
- Crushed ice
Instructions
- Place the mint and simple syrup in a julep cup or rocks glass.10-12 leaves Fresh mint , 0.75 oz Simple syrup
- Muddle gently to release the oils in the mint.
- Add the bourbon.2 oz Bourbon
- Fill your glass half full with crushed ice.Crushed ice
- Give everything a gentle stir.
- Finish filling your glass with ice. (Really pack it in the glass. This is key!)
- Top with a splash of club soda or sparkling water. (Enough to fill the glass.)1 oz Club soda
- Garnish with a large sprig of mint.
- Sip and enjoy!
Equipment
A Tip on Ice for Juleps
All mint juleps should be made with LOTS of ice. Preferably ice that’s been crushed completely and into a snow cone like consistency. You can do this at home one of two ways. (1) Fill a zip top bag with ice cubes, wrap it in a cloth kitchen towel and use a wooden mallet or other blunt heavy object to pound the into the right consistency. (2) If you want to feel like a bartending pro at home, pick up a cloth bag (known as a Lewis Ice Bag) and wooden mallet to use for crushing ice.
Looking for more Mint Julep Recipes?
I love to create twists on a classic! Try my Blackberry Mint Julep or this Blueberry Citrus Julep.
Make Your Own Simple Syrup
Simple syrup is made from 2 ingredients – white sugar and water. I make mine in the microwave! You can too! Get my recipe, instructions, and all the tips and tricks over on my simple syrup recipe page.
PRO TIP
Mint is hardy, but it can be a dramatic little plant when left in the heat. If you leave your sprigs of mint out too long and they get wilted, try this trick:
Fill a large bowl with cold water and a handful of ice cubes. Add your mint. Fully submerge it and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Then take the mint out of the bowl, give it a shake over the sink and gently dry it a bit with a kitchen towel or some paper towel. Your mint should be looking fresh and crisp!
About Julep Cups
The quintessential julep cup is made from stainless steel which helps to keep the cocktail super cold in the hot sun during the Kentucky Derby. Their shape comes from the souvenir julep cups that can be purchased each year at the Kentucky Derby.
The cups first debuted at the Derby in 1937. The souvenir cups you can get at the Derby now are MUCH fancier than the silver cups you see in these photos. Julep cups vary in price, so you can choose how simple or not you want them to be by how much you want to spend. You can also use copper cups instead, if that’s something you prefer or have on hand for Moscow Mules.
Shop These Julep Cups
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → Looking for More Refreshing Bourbon Cocktails?
Bourbon it’s just for Old Fashioned cocktails and cozy winter nightcaps. When combined with fresh ingredients and shaken with ice, it can transform into something very refreshing. Try a Spiked Arnold Palmer, Kentucky Mule, Bourbon Smash with Citrus, or my Strawberry Bourbon Cocktail.
