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The Mint Julep is arguably the cocktail embodiment of Southern Hospitality from the bygone era.
The cocktail calls for a mix of Bourbon, Mint, and sugar syrup to create a timeless classic, with definite winter vibes.
Let’s get into what’s in the drink, what we need to make it, and all that fun stuff.
But if you like, you can just jump directly to the recipe!
What’s in a Mint Julep?
A Mint Julep is a pretty simple drink to make: it’s just Bourbon, Simple Syrup, and Mint Leaves.
Bourbon
Bourbon is a type of Whiskey. It was created in America and is a barrel-aged distilled liquor that’s made primarily from corn.
The name Bourbon originates from the French Bourbon Dynasty, but how this type of American whiskey got that name is up for debate.
Major contenders include:
- Bourbon Street in New Orleans
- Bourbon County in Kentucky
…with the latter the reason why Bourbon is so closely connected to Kentucky.
Interestingly, by law, Bourbon sold in the US must be produced in the US, be made from at least 51% corn, and stored in a container of charred oak.
For Bourbon, we recommend:
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Simple Syrup
Simple Syrup is a common ingredient in cocktails and is used simply to sweeten a drink.
You can buy the syrup off the shelf, but it’s also pretty easy to make yourself. It’s made by combining sugar and water in equal parts – simple, right?
If you do want to buy it off the shelf, we recommend:
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How do you Garnish a Mint Julep?
A Mint Julep is traditionally garnished with sprigs of mint or mint leaves.
Additionally, a slice of lemon can also give the drink a new dimension should you want to experiment.
Can You Make Mint Juleps Ahead of Time?
One of the main features of the drink is the frosted glass, which obviously needs to be done at the point of serving.
You could make the simple syrup and do the mix before the party but I don’t think you’d get the optimal flavour of the drink.
These bad boys only have three ingredients anyway, so might as well make them to serve.
What Do You Need to Make a Mint Julep?
To make a Mint Julep, you’ll need a jigger to measure the ingredients, a cocktail shaker to shake the mix, a Hawthorne Strainer to strain it, and a bar spoon to stir.
Jigger
It’s important to get the mix of any cocktail right. The measurements are set for a reason – to specify a tried, tested, and tasty drink.
A jigger is going to help you get those perfect measurements – after all, it is what the pro’s use.
For a jigger, we recommend:
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Cocktail Shaker
Cocktail shakers improve the taste of cocktails. It’s a fact.
There’s a reason that famed British spy James Bonds says “shaken, not stirred”. And that reason is: because it tastes better.
If you don’t already have a cocktail shaker set, you might want to check out our detailed Cocktail Shaker comparison article.
But to cut a long story short, here’s the cocktail shaker we recommend:
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Hawthorne Strainer
If you (or perhaps the person your buying for) don’t have a Hawthorne strainer as part of a cocktail shaker set, it’s a great, and incredibly useful, cocktail gift you need in your cocktail toolbox.
The strainer is typically used to remove the ice (or any other unwanted solid ingredients) from your cocktail as it’s poured from the cocktail shaker into your glass.
For a Hawthorne Strainer, we recommend:
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Bar Spoon
Bar Spoons are great for cocktails you’re suppose to stir, rather than shake in a cocktail shaker.
Sure, you can probably use any spoon to stir your drink but these bar spoons are the real deal. It’s the proper equipment to get the job right.
- They’re long enough to get to the bottom of any cocktail to allow you to properly stir.
- They have a twist spiral design that allows for a better grip.
- They’re made out of stainless steel, so they’re durable, corrosion resistant, and easy to clean.
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What Glass is a Mint Julep served in?
It isn’t. Not a glass, but a Julep Cup.
What is a Julep Cup?
A Julep Cup is the traditional cup Mint Juleps were served in.
They were usually silver or pewter and always held at the bottom. Why? Because the Julep Cups were always frosted as part of the recipe.
For Julep Cups, we recommend:
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What can I use instead of a Julep Cup?
Today, fewer people tend to use Julep Cups and opt more for Highball Glasses.
Highball Glasses are the most common glasses in the cocktail world. You can put most cocktails in there from The Long Island Iced Tea to a Bay Breeze.
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History of the Mint Julep
The term julep traditionally means a sweet drink, particularly in reference to medicine.
And we must not forget, that the older cocktails were used as medicine, most notably as a morning pick-me-up (you can read more about that in our Old Fashioned article). The mint julep went further down the medicine road and was reported to be a prescription drink – and there’s historical evidence to prove it!
In the 1784 Medical Communications book it’s said:
“sickness at the stomach, with frequent retching, and, at times, difficulty of swallowing. I then prescribed her an emetic, some opening powders, and a mint julep.”
The mint julep originated in the south of the USA in the 18th century and has firmly kept its roots there.
The Kentucky Derby
The Mint Julep has been pretty consistent since its creation and the Kentucky Derby is a big reason for that.
in 1938 the Min Julep was promoted by Churchill Downs in association with the derby and its thought that more than 120,000 mint juleps are sold at the race each year.
Mint Julep Recipe
Mint Julep
Tweet this Recipe
Share on FacebookIngredients
- Bourbon 60ml / 2oz
- Simple Syrup 10ml / .25oz
- 8-10 Mint Leaves
- Sprig of Mint to Garnish
Recipe
- Add ice, Mint Leaves Simple/Sugar Syrup, and Bourbon to your cocktail shaker and shake well.
- Strain into a Julep Cup with crushed ice.
- Chrun gently with a bar spoon and top with more crushed ice so the Julep Cup forms frost on the outside.
- Garnish with a sprig of Mint.
