Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Gently muddle mint and syrup in a chilled julep cup
Add bourbon and fill the cup completely with crushed ice
Stir until the exterior frosts, then mound more ice on top
Insert a generous mint bouquet and serve with a short straw
Glassware
Traditionally served in a frosty silver or pewter cup
Garnish
Slap to release oils
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Use pebble or crushed ice for proper dilution and frosty appearance
Only bruise the mint; over-muddling releases bitterness
Hold the cup by the base to preserve the frost on the outside
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Mint Julep.
Georgia Mint Julep
A historically significant variation of the classic Mint Julep, distinguished by the inclusion of peach, a nod to Georgia's identity as the 'Peach State'.
Champagne Julep
An elegant sparkling variation of the classic mint julep, combining bourbon with champagne for a refined, celebratory cocktail.
Other Variations
Brown Sugar Julep
Demerara syrup lends a deeper caramel note.
Changes
Smacked Mint
Mints are gently slapped rather than muddled for a cleaner flavor.
Changes
History & Heritage
“References to the julep appear as early as the 18th century in Virginia, where it was sipped as a morning tonic of spirits, sugar, and mint. By the mid‑19th century the bourbon-based Mint Julep had become a symbol of Southern hospitality and, starting in 1938, the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, where thousands are served each year in frosty silver cups.”
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Champagne Julep
An elegant sparkling variation of the classic mint julep, combining bourbon with champagne for a refined, celebratory cocktail.
Whiskey Smash
A quintessential American cocktail that marks a pivotal point in mixed drink evolution. This vibrant and refreshing libation bridges the Mint Julep and Whiskey Sour, embodying 19th-century innovation with its masterful balance of sweet, sour, and strong, elevated by the aromatic lift of fresh mint.
Old Fashioned
The primordial cocktail—whiskey, sugar, bitters, and water—showcasing the base spirit in its purest, most aromatic form.