Mint Julep

The Mint Julep is the iconic drink of the American South: bourbon poured over a mound of crushed ice in a frosted metal cup, sweetened lightly and perfumed with muddled fresh mint. A genericized classic with 18th-century medicinal roots, it had no single inventor — the earliest published specs ran on brandy and cognac (and gin-based versions were common through the 1800s) before bourbon became ascendant in the 20th century. Long tied to Kentucky and, since 1938, the Derby at Churchill Downs.

RefreshingClassicSpirit-ForwardFoundational

Ingredients

  • 2 ozBourbon
  • 4 pieceFresh Mint(muddled)
  • 1 tspSugar(powdered)

Garnish: Mint Sprig

Preparation

built · Julep Cup · Crushed

  1. 1.

    muddle

    In a julep cup, gently muddle the fresh mint sprigs with the powdered sugar and a small splash of water to release the mint oils without shredding the leaves.

  2. 2.

    build

    Pack the cup with cracked or crushed ice and pour the bourbon over the top.

  3. 3.

    stir

    Stir until the metal cup frosts on the outside, adding more crushed ice to mound it above the rim.

  4. 4.

    garnish

    Garnish with a fresh mint sprig, slapped to express its aroma; serve with a short straw.

Flavor Profile

spiced
31%
sweet
30%
body
29%
heat
21%
dilution
20%
herbal
17%
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