Mint Julep

Fresh mint muddled with smoky bourbon and a hint of sweetness served icy cold to celebrate happy hour Kentucky Derby style!

The history of the Mint Julep

Churchill Downs, the world’s most legendary racetrack, has conducted thoroughbred racing and presented “America’s greatest race” on the first Saturday of May since 1875.

It is said that the founder of the Derby planted mint for cocktails when he founded the track in 1875. The Mint Julep was declared the “official” Derby drink in 1938. The rest, as they say, is history

This year for the first time since the Derby started, it will be postponed due to our current worldwide crisis. Just because the Derby is rescheduled doesn’t mean that we can’t celebrate happy hour with this iconic cocktail

There are variations of this cocktail, but my favorite uses a mint simple syrup instead of white or powdered sugar

You’ll need to make the mint syrup ahead of time so it can be icy cold when it comes time to mix up some drinks

Combine equal amounts of water and sugar to a small saucepan. Add in a handful of fresh mint leaves. Bring to a simmer and remove from the heat. Let steep for about 10 minutes, pour in to a jar and chill in the fridge

Here’s what we need: some fresh mint, your favorite bourbon, the mint simple syrup that we’ve made and lots of crushed ice. The crushed ice is a necessity because it tames the bourbon a bit and makes this cocktail icy cold

It’s muddle time

What does it mean to muddle you ask??

To muddle means to press the ingredients against the side of the glass with a muddler Muddling helps to release the flavors of the fresh ingredients so that they bind with the alcohol better

Add some crushed ice into a cocktail shaker and a bunch of fresh mint. Mash (muddle) the mint into the ice until broken apart.

Smells SO good!

Add in 2 ounces of bourbon and 1/2 to 1 ounce of the mint simple syrup, depending upon your desired level of sweetness to the shaker and top with more crushed ice

Shake for about 30 seconds and pour into a glass filled with, you’ve guessed it, more crushed ice!

Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint, grab your fancy Kentucky Derby bonnet and enjoy!

Cheers!

Simply Sundays ~ Mint Julep

Servings: 1
Time: 5 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
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Ingredients

For the mint simple syrup:

1 cup water

1 cup white sugar

Fresh mint leaves

For the cocktail:

Fresh mint

2 ounces of bourbon

1/2 – 1 ounce mint simple syrup depending upon your sweetness preference

Crushed ice

Directions

Add some crushed ice into a cocktail shaker and a bunch of fresh mint. Mash (muddle) the mint into the ice until broken apart

Add in 2 ounces of bourbon and 1/2 to 1 ounce of the mint simple syrup, depending upon your desired level of sweetness to the shaker and top with more crushed ice

Shake for about 30 seconds and pour into a glass filled with more crushed ice

Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint

Tools used to make this recipe

Stainless Steel Cocktail Shaker

Winco Jiggers Steel 1 Ounce x 2 Ounce