Mint Julep cocktail with mint and crushed ice

Mint Julep

Alessandro Scire Calabrisotto

The Mint Julep is the American South in a silver cup: bourbon, fresh mint and a mountain of crushed ice, served so cold the cup frosts in your hand. Elegant, aromatic and steeped in tradition, it is the drink of the Kentucky Derby and a benchmark of American cocktail history.

History of the Mint Julep

The word julep descends from the Persian gulab, a rosewater drink that travelled through the Mediterranean as a medicinal cordial. By the eighteenth century, Americans were taking a morning julep of spirit, sugar and mint — originally with brandy or rum before Kentucky bourbon became the spirit of choice. The drink grew into a symbol of Southern hospitality, famously championed in Washington by Senator Henry Clay at the Willard Hotel. Since 1938, it has been the official drink of the Kentucky Derby.

Recipe: How to Make a Classic Mint Julep

Ingredients:

  • 60 ml (2 oz) bourbon
  • 4–6 fresh mint leaves, plus a sprig to garnish
  • 1 tsp sugar (or 10 ml sugar syrup)
  • Crushed ice, plenty

Instructions:

  1. In a julep cup, gently press the mint with the sugar to release its oils.
  2. Add the bourbon and a little crushed ice, then churn with a spoon.
  3. Mound more crushed ice into a dome above the rim.
  4. Crown with a generous bouquet of mint and serve with a short straw.

Tips for Perfection:

  • Use a frosted silver or pewter cup for the authentic chill.
  • Don’t shred the mint — a gentle press keeps it fragrant, not bitter.
  • Pack the ice tightly and high; the dome is part of the ritual.

Additional Recommendations

Variations:

  • Prescription Julep: a blend of cognac and rye for extra depth.
  • Peach Julep: muddled fresh peach for a summer twist.
  • Champagne Julep: topped with sparkling wine.

Pairings:

  • Barbecue and pulled pork: bourbon loves smoke.
  • Pecan pie: a Southern classic pairing.
  • Fried chicken: the mint cuts the richness.

Presentation:

  • Serve in a julep cup, frosted, with a dramatic mint crown.
  • Dust the mint with a little powdered sugar for theatre.

Curiosity: A Fun Fact About the Mint Julep

Each year, around 120,000 Mint Juleps are served across the two days of the Kentucky Derby — calling for tonnes of ice and a small forest of fresh mint.

Sources

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