Have you ever grown your own mint before? If so then you are probably aware that it can grow like crazy. It’s not uncommon for that small mint plant in the corner of your garden to grow and take up a 10 x 10 space in only a couple of years. And the mint that I planted in a pot earlier this year is no exception to that rule, it’s grown to a massive size! So in order to make use of our bountiful harvest, today we are going incorporate it into a classic cocktail, the mint julep.
What is a mint julep?
While today most people would associate mint juleps with the Kentucky Derby, the drink actually has a much longer history. You see the term “julep” was originally used to describe a sweetened alcoholic beverage that was prescribed as medicine. In fact, one of the earliest references to the drink was from a 1784 book titled Medical Communications in which a woman is advised to have a mint julep in order to help with stomach cramps.
Boy how times have changed!
However, these early versions of juleps differed from the modern drink. They used different amounts of sugar, some used rum while others used gin, and a lot of them didn’t even use mint. But by the time that the mint julep became the official drink of the Kentucky Derby it had formed into a codified recipe.
So what is it exactly?
Well, basically it’s just bourbon, simple syrup, mint, and a copious amount of crushed ice. This makes it a simple and refreshing drink that’s guaranteed to get you pretty wasted rather quickly! So if you’re ready to have some fun then let’s get to making our mint juleps.
Tips, Tricks & Suggestions
- When it comes to incorporating sugar into your mint julep you have to options. The first is to simply muddle some granulated sugar with the mint. And while this requires no prep work it won’t fully incorporate the sugar into the drink. The other option is to make a simple syrup, which as the name suggests is fairly simple to make. Simple syrup will fully incorporate the sugar into the drink so if you have the time I highly recommend you do it.
- Don’t have an ice maker that can crush the ice? Then don’t worry as you can easily crush your own ice right at home. First, you will need a bag to hold the ice in, you can use either a gallon plastic bag or if you want to be more professional a lewis bag. And secondly, you will need something to crush the ice with like a mallet, meat tenderizer, or even a rolling pin. Once you have both items simply place the ice in the bag and crush it until it is a coarse consistency.
- Looking for other cocktails that incorporate mint? Then check out our recipe for mango mojitos.
Mint Julep Recipe
Total time: 2 minutes
Servings: 1
Ingredients
6 to 8 mint leaves
2 oz. Bourbon
½ Teaspoon of granulated sugar, or ¼ oz. of simple syrup
Crushed ice
Garnish:
A sprig or two of mint
Instructions
- (Optional) make a simple syrup: In order to make simple syrup you will need one part granulated sugar and one part water. So feel free to make as big or as small a batch as you want, today I am using ½ cup of each. Pour both ingredients into a small pot and place over medium heat.
Stir these two ingredients until the sugar has dissolved into the water, this should take only a couple of minutes to do. Finally, pour the simple syrup into a jar or bottle and let it cool off in your fridge for an hour before using.
- Muddle the mint: Get out the glass that you plan on making the mint julep in and toss in the mint leaves along with the granulated sugar if you aren’t using a simple syrup. Then use a muddler to press down on the leaves so that its oils are released.
- Add simple syrup and Bourbon to the glass and stir it together with a small spoon.
- Add the ice: Crush your ice and add enough of it to the glass so that it comes just to the top of the rim. Shake the glass a little so that the liquid comes up to the top of the ice.
Then add a handful of ice over the top of this so that it forms a small dome. This last step is totally optional but is the traditional way of making the drink.
- Garnish the drink with a sprig of mint and enjoy immediately!
Mint Julep Recipe
Equipment
- muddler
Ingredients
- 6 to 8 mint leaves
- 2 oz. Bourbon
- ½ Teaspoon of granulated sugar or ¼ oz. of simple syrup
- Crushed ice
Garnish:
- A sprig or two of mint
Instructions
- (Optional) make a simple syrup: In order to make simple syrup you will need one part granulated sugar and one part water. So feel free to make as big or as small a batch as you want, today I am using ½ cup of each. Then pour both ingredients into a small pot and place over medium heat. Stir these two ingredients until the sugar has dissolved into the water, this should take only a couple of minutes to do. Finally, pour the simple syrup into a jar or bottle and let it cool off in your fridge for an hour before using.
- Muddle the mint: Get out the glass that you plan on making the mint julep in and toss in the mint leaves along with the granulated sugar if you aren’t using a simple syrup. Then use a muddler to press down on the leaves so that its oils are released.
- Add simple syrup and Bourbon to the glass and stir it together with a small spoon.
- Add the ice: Crush your ice and add enough of it to the glass so that it comes just to the top of the rim. Shake the glass a little so that the liquid comes up to the top of the ice. Then add a handful of ice over the top of this so that it forms a small dome. This last step is totally optional but is the traditional way of making the drink.
- Garnish the drink with a sprig of mint and enjoy immediately!
