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Classic Mint Juleps

April 29, 2014 by Joy the Baker 50 Comments

classic mint juleps

Let’s throw the best Kentucky Derby Party around!  This… coming from a California girl curiously living in the Deep South.

In my mind, throwing the best Derby Party has everything to do with buying all of the mint and all of the bourbon.  With those two staples… everything else will fall into place.  This… coming from the California girl (who really likes bourbon).

A big hat is important.  A television that plays the races is pretty essential.  Red roses are a nice touch.  Fried chicken will keep the masses contented.  A Derby Pie (totally in our near future) is above and beyond, and totally major.

All of the bourbon, though.  First we’re really going to need all of the bourbon.

Classic Mint Juleps

Adorning our bourbon is also pretty important.

Silver Mint Julep cups are classic.  I have friends so serious about the Kentucky Derby, they bring their very own Julep Cups to Derby parties (ahem Ms. Whitney).

 I went with a more colorful Julep cup.  This… coming from the girl from California.  These floral enamel tumblers from MacKenzie Childs are full of charm.

Horse racing cocktail spears found here!

Classic Mint Juleps

With all the bourbon and all the mint, here we are… OFF TO THE RACES!

(I had to.)

Classic Mint Juleps

Ice becomes a major part of Mint Juleps because the cocktail has so few ingredients: mint simple syrup, bourbon, and ice.

Crushed ice all the way.  I’ll be crushing ice all summer thanks to this ice crushing dream machine.  Count on it!

Classic Mint Juleps

A bit of mint simple syrup in the bottom of each tumbler.

Classic Mint Juleps

Lots of crushed ice.

I had no idea how fast ice melts in the South.  Lightening speeds.  Seriously.

Classic Mint Juleps

Bourbon on top of the ice, on top of the mint simple syrup.

My Julep bourbons of choice:  Bulleit, Jack Daniels (which isn’t bourbon, but whiskey), Woodford Reserve, Buffalo Trace, and Knob Creek.  I also think a rye might be nice!  Select what makes you happy.

classic mint julep

More ice, forever and ever.

A paper straw.  A horse racing accessory.  A sprig of mint as giant as your hat or as dapper as your bow tie.  Even this California girl knows this much to be true.

 Additional recourses: How Sweet Eats makes a lovely twist on the classic:  Pineapple Mint Juleps Mint Juleps are serious business.  How to prepare and enjoy the complicated cocktail, from Slate.

Classic Mint Juleps

recipe from epicurious

Print this Recipe!

For the Mint Syrup:

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup water

1 big handful fresh mint leaves and stems

For the Cocktail:

1 scant ounce mint syrup

about 2 cups crushed ice

2 ounces bourbon

fresh mint sprigs for garnish

To make the mint syrup, in a medium saucepan combine sugar, water, and mint over medium heat.  Bring to a simmer, stir, and allow to simmer for 5 minutes.  Remove from heat and allow mint to steep for 15 minutes.  Remove and discard the mint leaves, place syrup in a small jar and refrigerate until chilled through.  Mint syrup can be made up to 1 week in advance.

To make a cocktail, add mint syrup to the bottom of a glass.  Top with about 1 cup of crushed ice.  Add bourbon and stir.  Top with more ice, filling the glass.  Add a mint sprig and straw and stir just before serving.  

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Filed Under: Drinks, Recipes

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  1. Josh

    July 20, 2015 at 4:52 pm

    …Correction, Jack Daniels and Tennessee Whiskeys meet all current criteria by which a bourbon is defined, they define themselves as TN whiskey because of a specific specific white oak toasted barrell and sugar maple charcoal filtration. All Bourbons are whiskey…but not all Whiskeys are bourbon…and for reasons aforementioned…all bourbons can’t be TN whiskey.

    Reply
  2. Faith

    May 6, 2014 at 11:23 am

    Awfully fond of Basil Hayden’s. Another fun variation is the Prescription Julep, which is bourbon and cognac — more flavor on the front AND back.

    Reply
  3. Casey

    May 2, 2014 at 1:55 pm

    Well, you can’t be from the South unless you make your mint juleps by “rocking the baby”…really!

    Reply
  4. Carlinne @Cook with 2 Chicks

    May 2, 2014 at 8:54 am

    I love the tumblers! Your pun? Excellent :) Happy Derby Day!

    Reply
  5. Lily (A Rhubarb Rhapsody)

    May 1, 2014 at 10:35 pm

    Those cups are seriously gorgeous! Super envious. Sounds like these mint juleps would certainly do them justice.

    Reply
  6. sundiegoeats

    May 1, 2014 at 7:55 pm

    Buffalo Trace is my favorite bourbon for any drink including a mint julep. And those glasses are lovely :)

    Reply
  7. Meredith

    May 1, 2014 at 3:35 pm

    Love those enamel cups and I am so looking forward to a mint julep this weekend!

    Reply
  8. Christina L. Frederick (Christina Leigh Events)

    May 1, 2014 at 2:27 pm

    I adore this post! I love MacKenzie Childs and I love how you styled these mint juleps! I was able to include one of your adorable images in my blog post today and hope you love it as much as I love your blog! https://blog.christinaleighevents.com/its-gonna-be-may/
    Cheers!
    Christina

    Reply
  9. Xochi Navarro

    May 1, 2014 at 1:52 pm

    Are you serious?? I had no idea a mint julep was that simple! Honey, I’m so on this!

    Reply
  10. Emily Estes Rogers

    May 1, 2014 at 1:51 pm

    my mint plant is going crazy right now and I have been trying to think of ways to use it in salads, desserts, etc.- why did I not think of the obvious?! Thanks Joy!

    Reply
  11. Cecile

    April 30, 2014 at 9:30 pm

    I’ve always wanted to know how to make this AND I simply adore those gorgeous mint julep cups!!

    Reply
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