Cocktail Atlas

Mint Julep

Bourbon, mint, sugar and water over cracked ice, stirred until the cup frosts. Kentucky’s signature drink in its classic spec.

Cocktail Atlas · Updated

Spirit
Bourbon
Glass
Julep cup
Method
Built
Difficulty
Beginner

The riffs: Mint Julep Variations

Spec source: IBA official cocktail list

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Mint Julep

Ingredients

Ingredients for Mint Julep. Tick each one as you add it.
AddedMeasureIngredient
2 oz
4
1 tsp
2 tsp

Steps

  1. In a julep cup, gently muddle the mint with the sugar and water.
  2. Fill the cup with cracked ice and add the bourbon.
  3. Stir well until the cup frosts, then garnish with a mint sprig.

Garnish Mint sprig

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Batch it For a party of 4–20

Makes 8 drinks, about 20 oz · 600 ml before ice.

Mint Julep batch
AmountIngredient
16 oz · 480 mlBourbon
32Fresh mint sprigs
1⅓ oz · 40 mlPowdered sugar
2⅔ oz · 80 mlWater

No added water: this drink takes its dilution from the ice in the glass. Chill the batch and build each glass over ice.

Fits one 750 ml bottle; a funnel helps.

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Why it works

A Mint Julep is bourbon served very cold. Muddling the mint gently with sugar and a little water makes a quick mint syrup in the cup. Cracked ice packed to the top chills the bourbon fast and melts slowly, softening the alcohol as it’s sipped, and stirring until the cup frosts gives the drink its icy texture. The mint sprig garnish puts aroma right at the nose.

Substitutions

  • No powdered sugar? Use ½ oz simple syrup and skip the water.
  • Mint syrup made ahead speeds up a round for a crowd.
  • A higher-proof bourbon holds up better to all that ice.

Variations

Questions

Does a Mint Julep need a julep cup?
No, but a metal cup frosts over and keeps the drink colder. A rocks glass works.
Crushed or cracked ice?
Either, as long as it is small. Small ice chills fast and gives the julep its frosty texture.
How should the mint be muddled?
Gently, just to release the oils. Torn leaves make the drink bitter.

Making it: Mint Julep

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