The mint julep is a drink steeped in rich history. What most people don’t know is that, before the drink became a signature bourbon cocktail at the Kentucky Derby, it was actually made with rum.
Southern growers willingly traded tobacco for the spirituous libation, distilled by New England settlers. Rum soon became, in the opinion of many, all too popular. “Demon rum” became the impassioned denunciation from early American pulpits. The planter’s morning draft, the julep, was made of rum long before corn whiskey made its appearance.
Now, the mint julep has cemented its spot as one of the South’s signature cocktails, with bourbon replacing rum as the spirit of choice.
This mint julep recipe is packed full of fresh mint, giving the cocktail a light, refreshing flavor. Be sure to use good bourbon in these stiff Kentucky cocktails—this handy guide will help you select the best bourbon for your mint julep.
See more: Sweet Old Fashioned
Serve at your next Derby party, and complement the cocktail’s flavors with a decadent Kentucky Bourbon Pie for dessert!
Contents
What Ingredients Are in a Mint Julep?
For the classic mint julep, you’ll need just four ingredients: bourbon, fresh mint leaves, powderedsugar, and ice.
Not just any ice will do for a true mint julep. You want crushed ice. That size of ice is needed to rapidly cool the spirits when they’re poured over the ice and stirred. Larger cubes won’t do the job a well.
Why Are Mint Juleps Served in Pewter Cups?
Like the crushed ice, the pewter or silver julep cups are designed to make mint juleps as cold as possible—and keep them cold as long as possible. You’ll probably see folks holding the cup by the handle or rim so the warmth from their hands doesn’t melt the ice in the cup faster. Glass cups work, too.
Ingredients
- 24fresh mint leaves
- 4teaspoonspowdered sugar
- 12ouncesbourbon
- Crushed ice
- Fresh mint sprigs, to garnish
Directions
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Place glass in freezer; chill 15 minutes.
Place 6 mint leaves in a serving glass. Gently press leaves against glass with back of spoon to release flavors. Add 1 tsp. powdered sugar and 1 tsp. water, stirring gently until sugar is dissolved.
Pack glass tightly with crushed ice, filling glass two-thirds full. Pour 2 oz. bourbon over ice; stir briskly.
Add additional crushed ice to fill glass. Add 1 oz. bourbon. Repeat procedure with remaining ingredients. Garnish, if desired.