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Cocktail recipe

Mint Julep Recipe: The Kentucky Derby Classic

Classic Southern bourbon, fresh mint, and crushed ice combine for a cool, crowd-pleasing Mint Julep—perfect for the Kentucky Derby or sunny backyard sipping.

5 minEasyJulep cup or rocks glass1 cocktail
Mint Julep Recipe cocktail in glass with garnish
Total time
5 min
Difficulty
Easy
Glass
Julep cup or rocks glass
Makes
1 cocktail

Build the drink

Method

  1. 1

    Chill a julep cup or rocks glass in the freezer for a few minutes and lightly slap the mint leaves between your palms to wake the oils.

  2. 2

    Place the slapped mint leaves in the chilled cup with the simple syrup and gently muddle just to bruise the leaves, avoiding shredding them.

  3. 3

    Add the bourbon and fill the cup about two-thirds with crushed ice, then stir briskly for 8–10 seconds to chill and achieve proper dilution.

  4. 4

    Pack more crushed ice into a domed crown above the rim to insulate the drink and present the classic julep profile.

  5. 5

    Give the garnish mint a quick slap to release aromatics, nestle a generous bouquet into the ice, insert a short straw at the back, and serve immediately.

The Mint Julep is a bourbon, mint, and crushed-ice classic associated with the Kentucky Derby.

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Ingredients

  • 2½ oz bourbon
  • ½ oz simple syrup
  • Fresh mint
  • Crushed ice

Method

  1. Gently press mint with syrup in a chilled cup.
  2. Add bourbon and crushed ice.
  3. Stir, mound more ice on top, and garnish with mint.

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