In honor of the Kentucky Derby, I present you with this delicious, refreshing, icy cold…Mint Julep Cocktail! Fresh mint, wee bit of sugar, a dose of bourbon and a generous splash of club soda! Stimulating and refreshing!
![](https://www.thefreshcooky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Mint-Julep-WM-3.jpg)
Mint Juleps are a longtime tradition for Derby goers, read this fun article on how the Mint Julep came to be the drink of the Kentucky Derby.
How to Make a Mint Julep
If desired, place your cocktail glasses in freezer (or your traditional silver cup) 20-30 minutes before serving so they are icy cold.
How Do you Muddle Mint for a Mint Julep
Assemble your drink by adding your mint leaves and your sugar to the cold glass.
![Mint Julep | www.thefreshcooky.com #mintjulep #bourbon #mint #derbydrink](https://www.thefreshcooky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/mint-julep-8.jpg)
Muddle your mint and your all natural sugar together.
What is muddling you ask? Different from meddling, you actually want someone to muddle for you! 🙂 It’s gently crushing the mint along with sugar using a muddler (or even the end of a rolling pin or thick wooden spoon should work). Just don’t maul it, this article is quite comical about what can happen if you over-muddle your mint.
![muddling mint for a cocktail | thefreshcooky](https://www.thefreshcooky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/mint-julep-6.jpg)
Next pour in a dribble of bourbon, mixing with the minty sugar for a minute, allowing the sugar to dissolve. Pour in a scoop of crushed ice and then pour in the balance of your bourbon.
BAR TIP | No crushed ice? No problem, place ice cubes in a sturdy freezer baggie, I just used the bottom of a cast iron pan and crushed the heck out of it. Or you can place in your blender on the “chop” or “crush” function.
![Pouring Bourbon for Cocktail | Mint Julep The Fresh Cooky](https://www.thefreshcooky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/mint-julep-5.jpg)
Fill the glass with crushed ice and top it off with club soda.
![Pouring club soda for mint julep | thefreshcooky.com](https://www.thefreshcooky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Mint-Julep-WM-2.jpg)
Garnish with a few mint leaves and serve with a small stirring stick or or cocktail straw.
![](https://www.thefreshcooky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Mint-Julep-WM-1.jpg)
If you don’t like a strong julep, simply make it in a taller glass, adding more club soda. It is quite strong in a small glass, though not bad! If you want to be traditional, serve it in a chilled silver cup.
Or perhaps you’d like to try an Irish Mule, my take on an Irish Whiskey?
*This post is for adults 21 and older only, please drink responsibly.
![Mint Julep | www.thefreshcooky.com](https://www.thefreshcooky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Mint-Julep-_-A-Southern-Cocktail-1-655x982.png)
Bourbon Inspired Recipes
- Kentucky Butter Cake
- Bourbon Vanilla Extract
- Blackberry Bourbon Moscow Mule
- Honey Bourbon Chicken
- Chocolate Bread Pudding
![](https://www.thefreshcooky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Classic-Mint-Julep.jpg)
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Mint Julep | A Southern Cocktail
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Ingredients
- 10 mint leaves
- 1 ½ teaspoons superfine sugar such as Castor sugar
- 1.5 – 2.5 oz Bourbon Whiskey
- Club Soda
- Mint sprigs for garnish
- Crushed Ice
Instructions
- If desired, freeze glass(es) for 20-30 minutes prior to serving.
- Tear off 10 mint leaves and place in bottom of glass, add sugar and muddle gently.
- Just a few presses and twists should release the minty fragrance and oils, don’t overdo it.
- Pour in a tablespoon or so of the bourbon and mix gently to dissolve the sugar.
- Add a scoop of crushed ice, then the balance of bourbon.
- Top glass off with crushed ice and top with club soda.
- Garnish with sprig of mint and cocktail straw.
- Enjoy responsibly.
Notes
Nutrition
![](https://www.thefreshcooky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Mint-Julep-Long-Pin.jpg)
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