Kentucky Derby Mint Julep Recipe
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.
Servings: 12 or more servings
Calories: 131kcal
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup fresh mint leaves + 1/4 cup to muddle divided use (plus sprigs for garnish)
- 1 bourbon Mom preferred Jack Daniels,bottle good
- Ice
Instructions
- 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.
- 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).
- 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 an airtight container and refrigerate. It will last for around 1 month.
Nutrition
Calories: 131kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.001g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 18mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 127IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.2mg