How To Make A Mint Julep
How To Make A Mint Julep Recipe – This is a refreshing cocktail to mix, serve, and sip to celebrate the warm weather.
Mint Cocktail
Lt. Dan is popping in today to share a refreshing cocktail with you…
Mrs. Spicy has finally let me take on a blog post that is a little different from what you are used to here on A Spicy Perspective.
I will be sharing random thoughts but focused mostly on stuff for guys. Expect to see killer cocktail recipes, some of my favorite restaurants and bars, features on many of my favorite “guy items”.
Ladies, hopefully you will get some great man-gift ideas, places to send or go with your man, cocktails to enjoy with your man, and witty commentary.
Men, we want you to feel welcome here. ASP is for all of us.
Julep Drink
One of our good friends works with a company that you are familiar with as a reader of A Spicy Perspective – Barn Light Electric Company. If you recall, Barn Light is the company that we chose to replace all of the lighting in our kitchen remodel.
This friend, who knows my affection for interesting cocktail receptacles, recently introduced me to a new product being offered by Barn Light. These retro Moscow Mule Copper Cocktail Cups are super cool. Immediately after seeing them, I asked when could I have a few to start making cocktails!
After getting my set, I began trying concoctions out… Not only do they hold your favorite beverage, but they look amazing.
These cups (and bowls) are made here in the USA out of solid copper.
So, upon trying several cocktails (including Moscow Mules), I knew the right one to feature these gorgeous cups would be a classic Mint Julep recipe.
What could be better than the simple mixture of fresh mint, sugar, and quality bourbon?! Now I understand you have probably been to a Derby party and had some version of a Mint Julep recipe. I bet you have even had one with some type of green-colored mint liqueur and powdered sugar.
No offense, but these cups are better than that. Frankly, YOU’RE better than that!
A Mint Julep recipe should be all about the bourbon, with a hint of fresh mint and concentrated simple syrup (I like demerara or turbinado sugar – 2 parts sugar to 1 part water). So this recipe (courtesy of my buddy Jon) is a classic that after a few will have you wanting to throw a few Benjamin’s down on the horse in lane 6!
Mint Julep Ingredients
- Fresh Mint Leaves – Brings in a pop of fresh cool herbaceous flavor
- Concentrated Simple Syrup – Sweetens the cocktail
- High Proof Bourbon – I prefer 4 Roses or Bulleit
- Shaved Ice – To chill your drink
- Mint Leaves – for garnish
How to Make a Mint Julep
This cocktail recipe is really as easy as counting to 3:
- Muddle The Mint. Put the mint leaves in a cocktail glass and add in the simple syrup. Lightly muddle the mint leaves and syrup, making sure to not crush the leaves too much.
- Mix in Alcohol and Ice. Add the bourbon and then the ice to the glass and use a bar spoon to lightly stir in the mixture to the ice.
- Garnish. Top the delicious cocktail with some mint leaves and enjoy!
Get the Complete (Printable) How To Make A Mint Julep Recipe Below. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to muddle the mint leaves?
The word muddle comes from the action of pressing the ingredients against the side of a glass with a muddler. It releases the flavor into the beverage.
What kind of mint is used for a mint julep?
The typical garden-variety mint leaf is usually peppermint or spearmint, but you can also try other types of mint leaves if you are adventurous enough to test them out!
How do I choose the best bourbon?
This cocktail does best with a bourbon that has more of a kick to it, to balance out the mint and simple syrup. Because this is a bourbon-forward cocktail, select a bourbon you could sip on its own, not a cheaper bottle that might be used for cooking or fruity mixed drinks. Also, many people and bartenders say the best bourbons have been aged for at least 4 years.
Where Do I Find Shaved Ice?
If you do not have a shaved ice machine or an ice maker that crushes ice, you can either buy small “soda fountain” ice from a local fast-food restaurant or market or place larger ice cubes in a zip bag and crush with a hammer.
Other Great Cocktail Recipes
- Perfect Manhattan Cocktail Recipe
- Perfect Mojito Pitcher Recipe
- Holiday Champagne Punch Recipe
- How to Make Simple Syrup Recipe
- Bonita Apple Cocktail (Apple Butter Rum Recipe)
- Best Red Wine Sangria Recipe
- The Best Pina Colada Mix Recipe
- Best Margarita Recipe
- Retro Crockpot Hot Buttered Rum Recipe
- Lt. Dan’s Best Bloody Mary Mix Recipe (Homemade)
- The Best Mai Tai Recipe
- Frozen Strawberry Margarita Recipe
How To Make A Mint Julep (Recipe)
Ingredients
- 5 – 6 fresh mint leaves
- 1/4 ounce concentrated simple syrup
- 2 ounces high proof bourbon I prefer 4 Roses or Bulleit
- Shaved ice
- Mint leaf for garnish
Instructions
- Put mint leaves in bottom of copper cups and add simple syrup. Lightly muddle the simple syrup and mint. (Do not crush, just cover mint leaves with syrup and allow essence of mint to mix).
- Add bourbon, then ice. Use a bar spoon to lightly stir the mixture into ice. Garnish top with mint leaves.
Video
Nutrition
Disclosure: Barn Light Electric provided the cups for this post. All opinions are our own.
I might serve your mint julep!
I’d have to inaugurate the cups with a mint julep!
We love to make Moscow Mules in copper mugs! Looking forward to trying this Mint Julep recipe when the weather breaks! Thanks Sommer!
I have never had a Mint Julep before and I’d probably give that a try!
Mint Julep! Your recipe!
Margaritas
Mint Julep!
I <3 mint juleps.
mmmm a Mint Julep of course!!!
I plan to make Sommer’s amazing raspberry mojito in these cups for me and serve some ice cream for my kids in theirs!
Whiskey
Oh my goodness Sommer, I think I have had way to many of these at the horse races and rodeos..lol..but I would definitely still start out with ” The Mint Julep” then I would have to try the “Moscow Mule” and I love copper period especially cookware. It is just so expensive but it sure cooks great. The copper cups are beautiful!
My son, and favorite bartender, and his family just moved to New Orleans. I’d take these lovely cups along on our 1st visit this spring and have him make Lt. Dan’s fabulous mint julep in them. Then we’d sit a spell, chat, and catch up on family life. Hmmm, makes me feel happy just to think of it. Thanks for the recipe Lt. Dan, and for giving me something to look forward to during a particularly looong, cold, and snowy Wisconsin winter. :)
The set looks very chic and I would try the mint julip first!
I would christen these glasses with my first mint julep.
I would serve mojitos in them. Yum!
raspberry stoli and 7up
Something made of frozen berries and bananas and maybe ice cream… yum. I’m in a dessert mood.