What makes a mint julep so delicious? Just 5 simple ingredients. Well on paper it’s bourbon, water, ice, mint, and sugar. But there’s more to it that makes this legendary libation what it is. You also add a heaping tablespoon of American South swagger, 3 ounces of Kentucky Derby history, and last but not least, a silver cup to serve it in.
The mint julep is one of those drinks that’s rooted in tradition. (Over 300 years of it.) But today, we’re giving ‘tradition’ a nice good shove out the window. Why? In the name of fun! We present you with 4 outstanding mint julep variations to wet your whistle with.
Blueberry Mint Julep
Ingredients
- 2½ oz Bourbon
- 1 oz Mint simple syrup
- 1 oz Mint blueberry puree
- Crushed ice
- Fresh mint leaves
Mint simple syrup
- ⅓ cup Granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup Water
- 1 bunch Mint leaves
Blueberry mint puree - ⅔ cup Fresh blueberries
- 2 tablespoons Mint simple syrup
- To make: In a mini food processor or blender, combine blueberries and mint simple syrup until pureed.
Instructions
- Combine bourbon, mint simple syrup and mint blueberry puree together and shake or stir well.
- Pour over crushed iced and serve with extra mint leaves.
Blood Orange Mint Julep
makes 2 drinks
Ingredients
- ½ cup Granulated sugar
- ½ cup Water
- zest of Blood orange
- 8 oz Bourbon
- Blood orange bitters
- Handful fresh mint
- 1 Blood orange cut into slices
Ice
Instructions
- In a saucepan, add sugar, water, and orange zest to create simple syrup.
- Bring to a slight simmer, consistently stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and let it cool.
- Muddle mint and orange slices in the bottom of two glasses.
- Add ice, bourbon, bitters, and simple syrup. Stir to combine and serve.
Chocolate Mint Julep
Ingredients
- 10 Mint leaves
- Sprig of mint for garnish
- 1½ tablespoons Crème de Cacao
- 2 oz Bourbon or Rye Whiskey
- Crushed or shaved ice
Instructions
- In a julep cup or large rocks glass, gently muddle mint leaves until lightly bruised, then swab the glass’s sides with the mint’s aromatic oils.
- Add crème de cacao and bourbon or rye and stir well. Half-fill the glass with crushed ice and stir to combine.
- Fill glass completely with crushed ice and stir until outside of glass frosts.
- Add more crushed ice, heaping generously, then garnish with sprigs of fresh mint.
Mint Julep Lemonade
Ingredients
- 1½ oz Cotton Hollow Bourbon
- 1½ oz Simple syrup
- 1½ oz Lemonade
- 1½ oz Water
- Mint leaves, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Rub mint leaves around the inside of a Collins glass and discard.
- Add the bourbon, simple syrup, lemon juice, and water to a shaker tin with ice, and then shake vigorously.
- Strain into the Collins glass and garnish with slapped mint.
