Looking for a refreshing and easy-to-make cocktail? Well, look no further than our beloved Kentucky Mint Julep recipe. My family’s version of this classic cocktail has the perfect balance of bourbon, sweetness and minty freshness – making it a favorite among both experienced cocktail enthusiasts and those new to the world of mixology. With our tried-and-true recipe, you’ll be able to easily whip up a crowd-pleasing batch of delicious Mint Juleps.

(Photo by Laurie Smith)
Table of Contents
  1. What is a Mint Julep?
  2. Why you’ll love this Genuine Mint Julep Kentucky Derby Drink
  3. Mint Julep Ingredients
  4. How to make a Mint Julep
  5. How to serve this Kentucky Derby Drink
  6. Mint Julep Drink Storage
  7. FAQs for How to Make a Mint Julep
  8. More recipes for Race Day
  9. Kentucky Derby Mint Julep Recipe

What is a Mint Julep?

A Mint Julep is a cocktail that traditionally consists of bourbon whiskey, simple syrup (a mixture of sugar and water), fresh mint leaves and ice (often crushed), served in a silver or pewter cup. It’s a popular drink in the Southern United States, particularly in Kentucky, and is associated with the annual Kentucky Derby horse race.

Why you’ll love this Genuine Mint Julep Kentucky Derby Drink

There are many reasons why you’ll love my family’s Mint Julep Kentucky Derby recipe:

  • It’s a classic cocktail that’s been enjoyed for years and has become a staple of the Kentucky Derby, an annual horse race held every May in my mother’s home town of Louisville, Kentucky.
  • It’s easy to make with just a few ingredients and some basic barware. Whether you’re an experienced cocktail enthusiast or new to mixology, you’ll find our recipe is both approachable and versatile.
  • What sets our Kentucky Mint Julep recipe apart is that, in addition to mixing crushed fresh mint into the cocktail, we add in more mint flavor by infusing it directly into the simple syrup (sugar and water) – resulting in layers of cool, vibrant minty deliciousness. Our recipe has been carefully crafted to strike just the right balance, with a subtle minty sweetness that matches but doesn’t overpower the bold bourbon flavor.

Mint Julep Ingredients

You only need 4 ingredients to make this cocktail:

  • good quality bourbon,
  • fresh mint,
  • granulated sugar, and
  • water.

Which brand of bourbon you use is personal preference. Woodford Reserve is the official bourbon served at the Kentucky Derby and included in their mint juleps (until 2027), so that’s a good option. On the other hand, my mom preferred Jack Daniels (which actually is technically a bourbon, but markets itself as whiskey).

Mint julep cup holding a single serving with a white napkin underneath
(Photo by Laurie Smith)

How to make a Mint Julep

Here’s an overview of how to make this refreshing cocktail (details in recipe card below):

  1. Make a simple syrup.
    Bring water to a boil; reduce heat to simmer and stir in sugar. Continue cooking, until until sugar dissolves and water is no longer cloudy (doesn’t take very long).
  2. Add mint; let steep.
    Stir in mint, crushing mint leaves with your stirring spoon. Remove from heat, cover, let cool and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight (the longer the better) to allow the mint flavor to steep into the syrup.
  3. Assemble cocktails.
    Place a few mint leaves in the bottom of each mint julep cup and crush with a muddler (or back of a spoon). Fill each cup with lots of ice (to the top). Add bourbon and mint simple syrup; stir to combine.
  4. Garnish and serve.
    Add a sprig of fresh mint to each glass and serve.

How to serve this Kentucky Derby Drink

According to my mom and her brothers, Mint Julep cocktails should always be served in mint julep cups – silver or pewter cups that keep the drink cold. In fact, Mint Julep cups were a popular gift among Southerners for years – my Uncle Dan gave us a monogrammed set as a wedding present (that’s one in these photos).

Mint Julep Drink Storage

To store the minted simple syrup, after 48 hours of steeping in the refrigerator, strain out mint leaves and discard. Place the syrup back in a covered container and refrigerate. It will last for around 1 month.

Mint julep cup holding a single serving with a white napkin underneath
(Photo by Laurie Smith)

FAQs for How to Make a Mint Julep

What is the best mint for a mint julep?

Spearmint works well in this cocktail – and that’s the standard mint sold in grocery stores. I would avoid using peppermint. According to legendary New Orleans barman Chris McMillian, “the man who would put peppermint into a mint julep would put scorpions into a baby’s bed.”

What bourbon is used in a mint julep?

Which brand of bourbon you use is personal preference. Woodford Reserve is the official bourbon served at the Kentucky Derby and included in their mint juleps (until 2027), so that’s a good option. My mom preferred Jack Daniels (which is technically a bourbon, but markets itself as whiskey).

What is the difference between a mojito and mint julep?

While both drinks contain mint and sugar, the rest of the ingredients are different:

– A mint julep calls for bourbon, whereas as mojito is made with rum.
– A mint julep is made with simple syrup, while a traditional mojito is made with granulated sugar and club soda.
– A mojito is made with lime juice, and a mint julep has no citrus added.
– A mint julep is garnished with mint, a mojito with a slice of lime.

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Kentucky Derby Mint Julep Recipe

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Looking for a refreshing and easy-to-make cocktail? Look no further than our beloved Kentucky Mint Julep recipe. My family’s version of this classic cocktail has the perfect balance of bourbon, sweetness and minty freshness – making it a favorite among both experienced cocktail enthusiasts and those new to the world of mixology. With our tried-and-true recipe, you’ll be able to easily whip up a crowd-pleasing batch of delicious Mint Juleps.

  • Prep Time: 2 mins
  • Chilling time:: 120 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 mins
  • Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
  • Yield: 12 or more servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup + 1/4 cup packed fresh mint leaves, divided use (plus sprigs for garnish)
  • 1 bottle good bourbon (Mom preferred Jack Daniels)
  • Ice

Instructions

  1. Make a simple syrup: bring water to a boil; reduce heat to simmer and stir in sugar. Continue cooking, until until sugar dissolves and water is no longer cloudy (doesn’t take very long). Stir in mint, crushing mint leaves with your stirring spoon. Remove from heat, cover, let cool and refrigerate for several hours or overnight (the longer the better) to allow the mint flavor to steep into the syrup.
  2. Place a few mint leaves in the bottom of each mint julep cup, and crush with a muddler (or back of a spoon). Fill each cup with lots of ice (to the top). Add 3 ounces (1/3 cup) of bourbon, 3 to 4 tablespoons of the mint simple syrup (or more to taste).
  3. Add a sprig of fresh mint to each glass and serve.

Notes

Make ahead: Minted simple syrup can be made up to 1 month ahead. To store, after 48 hours of steeping in the refrigerator, strain out the mint leaves and discard. Place syrup back in a covered container and refrigerate. It will last for around 1 month.

  • Author: From “A Well-Seasoned Kitchen®” by Sally Clayton and Lee Clayton Roper
  • Category: cocktails, make ahead
  • Cuisine: Southern
Mint julep cup holding a single serving with a white napkin underneath

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About the author

Hi, I'm Lee.

I am inspired by my mother, Sally’s, love of cooking and entertaining to gather friends and family together over great meals and conversation. In fact, I held my first dinner party at the age of 16. Throughout the years, I’ve provided recipes, menu advice and cooking tips to friends seeking uncomplicated and delicious ideas for home entertaining.


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