• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Champagne Tastes®
  • About
  • Travel
    • Food Travel
    • Outdoor Adventure
  • Recipes
    • Garden To Table
    • Seafood
    • Camping Recipes
    • Ferment
    • Backyard Foraging + Wild Game
    • Cooking Basics
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Garden To Table
  • Seafood
  • Ferment
  • Foraging + Wild Game
  • Cooking Basics
  • Camping Recipes
  • Outdoor Adventure
  • Food Travel
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Seasons » Summer

    How to Make a Mint Julep

    Published: Mar 2, 2019 · Modified: Mar 15, 2021 · 12 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Love bourbon? Learn how to make a mint julep from scratch! This recipe for the classic Kentucky cocktail is perfect for hot summer days and Derby day!
    Love bourbon? Learn how to make a mint julep from scratch! This recipe for the classic Kentucky cocktail is perfect for hot summer days and Derby day!
    Love bourbon? Learn how to make a mint julep from scratch! This recipe for the classic Kentucky cocktail is perfect for hot summer days and Derby day!
    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Love bourbon?  Learn how to make a mint julep from scratch!  This classic Kentucky cocktail is perfect for hot summer days and Derby day!

    How to Make a Mint Julep- Finished Julep

    Each spring, I start collecting mint plants.

    Sweet mint, peppermint, chocolate mint, pineapple mint– any mint is fair game!

    Is that normal? 

    I think it’s normal.

    And each spring, my mom collects mint by accident, because the invasive and hardy plants that I buried in her garden years and years ago are still popping up to say “hello!” to the world.

    You could say it’s my legacy. 

    As soon as the mint pops up above the ground, I start cooking with it. I make fresh mint tea, mint simple syrup, chocolate mint ice cream, and mint-infused water.

    And of course, as any self-respecting bourbon lover knows– mint and bourbon were born to be together. 

    They’re a classic combination– like peas and carrots, you might say.

    This recipe tutorial will walk you through how to make a mint julep– the classic Kentucky cocktail that mixes mint and bourbon into a refreshing glass of awesomeness.

    Do I Need A Cocktail Mix?

    No!  In fact, those neon green bottles of mint julep mix should stay far, far away from your liquor cabinet.

    How to Make a Mint Julep from Scratch

    If you want to learn how to make a mint julep– you’ve come to the right place.  And you don’t need anything fancy to get started.

    To make a mint julep, you need three ingredients– and you might want a fourth.

    First, you need mint.  Are you growing mint in your garden?  This is a perfect time to use unusual varieties of mint.  (My favorite mint for this is chocolate mint.)

    Next, you need bourbon.  Not sure what kind to buy?  Check out this How to Taste Bourbon guide.  (Or buy my favorite– classic Maker’s Mark.)

    Finally, you need sugar.  You’ll be turning the sugar into a quick and easy simple syrup along with a little water.

    What’s the optional fourth ingredient?  I like to add sparkling water, tonic water, or club soda to my mint julep.  It adds a little sparkle and fizz, and makes the cocktail even more refreshing.

    How to Make a Mint Julep with mint, simple syrup, and bourbon
    Mint Julep Ingredients

    Do I Need Any Special Bar Equipment?

    Not really.  You need to muddle the mint leaves into the simple syrup by pressing them around in the syrup.  This will release some flavor from the mint into the syrup.

    So, you might want a cocktail muddler.

    Don’t have one?

    You can also use a pestle or the handle of a wooden spoon.

    Muddling mint into simple syrup
    Muddling Mint

    Do I Need Special Julep Glasses?

    No.

    Traditionally, juleps are served in metal julep cups (like the ones in the photos).

    These glasses are nice because they keep this icy drink extra cold.

    If you’ve ever experienced a hot, muggy summer in Kentucky– you’ll understand why this is a very good thing.

    That said, it’s perfectly acceptable to serve a mint julep in whatever glass you do have.

    If you’re skipping the sparkling water, an old fashioned glass would be perfect.  If you’re adding sparkling water (or club soda, or tonic water), a highball glass would also work well.

    How to Make a Mint Julep

    Once you’ve gathered all your ingredients, simply chill your glasses, muddle the mint with a little simple syrup, add the ice, add the bourbon, and stir it all up!

    Pour a little sparkling water on top (if you want), and top it all off with a little more mint!

    Enjoy this cold, refreshing drink, and then let me know what you think!

    How to Make a Mint Julep- Finished Julep

    Want to LEARN MORE ABOUT BOURBON?  Read these:

    • How to Drink Bourbon: A Beginner’s Guide
    • A Kentucky Bourbon Trail Tour

    Want more BOURBON COCKTAILS?  Try these:

    • Kentucky Bourbon Coffee
    • Bourbon Sour with Lavender
    • Mint Julep Recipe with Blackberries and Lemon from Striped Spatula
    How to Make a Mint Julep- Finished Julep
    Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    5 from 9 votes

    How to Make a Mint Julep

    Love bourbon?  Learn how to make a mint julep from scratch!  This classic Kentucky cocktail is perfect for hot summer days and Derby day!
    Author: Sarah Trenalone
    Prep Time10 mins
    Total Time10 mins
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Servings: 1 person
    Calories: 149kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    Simple Syrup:

    • 1 cup sugar

    Mint Julep:

    • 5 mint leaves, plus more for garnish
    • 1 teaspoon simple syrup, or more if desired
    • 2 ounces bourbon
    • crushed ice
    • Optional: sparkling water, club soda, or tonic water

    Instructions

    • Make simple syrup: In a small saucepan, heat 1 cup water with 1 cup sugar until sugar dissolves. Set aside to cool. Use 1 tsp per mint julep cocktail.
      Store leftover syrup in a sealed container in the fridge.  Use in more mint juleps, iced tea, or other drinks.  Use within a year.
    • Chill an old fashioned cocktail glass (or mint julep cup). Muddle mint leaves and simple syrup until mint leaves look softened and smell very fragrant. 
    • Fill glass with crushed ice, then pour bourbon over ice. Stir once or twice, and fill glass with sparkling water, club soda, or tonic water if desired.
    • Garnish with more mint.  Serve immediately.

    Notes

    Yields 1 cocktail

    Nutrition

    Calories: 149kcal (7%) | Carbohydrates: 5g (2%) | Sodium: 4mg | Sugar: 5g (6%) | Iron: 0.3mg (2%)
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!
    « Bourbon Recipes
    Oven-Roasted Asparagus with Charred Lemon »

    About Sarah Trenalone

    Sarah is the primary creator at Champagne Tastes. She's a photographer, food writer and traveler, and is certified in Backcountry Kitchen and Backcountry Navigation from the Colorado Outward Bound School and Identifying Wild Plants from Backpacker.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Megan @ Meg is Well

      May 05, 2016 at 11:39 am

      5 stars
      I can’t believe I didn’t know about chocolate mint leaves! My mind is blown right now. I’ve always wanted to have an excuse to wear a ridiculous hat, which is pretty much the only reason I would ever want to go to the Kentucky Derby. Of course drinks like this would also be an incentive.

      Reply
      • champagne-tastes

        May 05, 2016 at 11:59 am

        I know right! A friend always has them in her garden, and this year I had to have my own. They’re AMAZING. And yes I don’t really care as much about the horses racing as I do the big hats haha

        Reply
    2. Mackenzie

      May 05, 2016 at 12:08 pm

      5 stars
      I love Chocolate mint! I discovered it back in Junior High when I first started experimenting with the culinary world – but like you said – it quickly devours everything around it, and I learned that lesson the hard way! It is so brilliant to use it in this drink – all the flavor, none of the calories 😉

      Reply
      • champagne-tastes

        May 05, 2016 at 12:10 pm

        Isn’t it amazing!!! Haha yes- it adds the yummy chocolate flavor without using a syrup!

        Reply
    3. Tara

      April 28, 2018 at 10:36 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! I love collecting different types of mint plants too! So perfect for this cocktail.

      Reply
    4. Amanda

      May 03, 2018 at 10:24 pm

      5 stars
      I love a good mint julep… I adore that you went over everything to make a good cocktail. And that you use chocolate mint in yours! That is my favorite mint too!

      Reply
    5. Kathy McDaniel

      May 04, 2018 at 10:13 pm

      5 stars
      I love mint so much and I always get excited by all the varieties out there. Chocolate mint both amazes me and makes me wonder…. This mint julep sounds absolutely wonderful and refreshing!

      Reply
    6. Caroline @ Pinch Me, I'm Eating!

      May 06, 2018 at 8:01 am

      5 stars
      You collect mint like I collect basil! I grew four or five different varieties last year. I would definitely have these with some chocolate mint and club soda splashed on top! Sounds amazing!

      Reply
    7. Amy Nash

      May 09, 2018 at 8:25 am

      5 stars
      The condensation on the sides of the metal glasses that are traditionally used for mint juleps are what gets me every time! It just hollers “refreshment”!

      Reply
      • champagne-tastes

        May 09, 2018 at 10:03 am

        Isn’t it the best?!

        Reply
    8. Amanda

      May 09, 2018 at 5:24 pm

      5 stars
      First of all, I want to reach right in and get that refreshing, beautiful cocktail! Juleps are one of my favorite summer sips. I’m incredibly disappointed in myself, because I’ve never had chocolate or pineapple mint! I need to find some of this and add it to my herb garden this year. What a fun way to add a little special twist to a classic cocktail!

      Reply
    9. Monica

      May 05, 2019 at 10:54 am

      5 stars
      Whaaaat!? Chocolate mint!? I need this in my life! I seriously had no idea there was such a brilliant thing. It’s such a fun flavor and clever way to add interest to a classic drink like this!

      Reply

    Leave a Comment: Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    bio

    Hi, I'm Sarah! I'm a traveler who loves to eat.   Follow along to join me on my next adventure-- in food or on the road.

    Learn More →

    Currently Trending

    • A Canned Sardine Recipe: Mini Fish Cakes
    • Pan-Seared Rockfish
    • Pan-Seared Red Snapper
    • Crab Butter Sauce

    Footer

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Supplemental Privacy Notice For California Residents
    • Supplemental Privacy Notice For Nevada Residents

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Recipe and Photo Reuse Terms + FAQ

    Copyright ©2015-2023 Champagne Tastes
    All Rights Reserved.