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Mint Julep cocktail garnished with mint leaves and crushed ice
Classic and minty Mint Julep cocktail

Classic Mint Julep

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Drinks
The official drink of the Kentucky Derby is more than a cocktail: it's 18th-century cooling technology. The secret is the massive surface area of the crushed ice, which cools the drink to near freezing in moments, frosting the metal cup. The mint here acts as an aromatic, intended for the nose while the bourbon delights the tongue.
🕒 Prep Time 5 mins
⌛ Total Time 5 mins
🍽️ Servings 1 servings
🔥 Calories 190 kcal
🌍 Cuisine American

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Julep cup (metal) or rocks glass
  • Bar spoon
  • Muddler
  • Straw

Instructions

1 ✓

Place the 10 mint leaves at the bottom of the cup and pour the simple syrup over them.

Tip: Use a chilled cup so the ice doesn't melt immediately upon contact.
2 ✓

Using a muddler, gently press the leaves 3-4 times. Do not mash them; we only want to release the essential oils.

Tip: If you crush too hard, you'll damage the veins and release bitter chlorophyll, ruining the drink.
3 ✓

Fill the cup loosely with crushed ice, then pour in the bourbon.

Tip: The sweetness of bourbon harmonizes beautifully with mint. Rye whiskey gives a spicier finish.
4 ✓

Stir thoroughly with a bar spoon, moving the ice up and down until the outside of the cup begins to frost.

Tip: Stirring (dilution) chills and mellows the drink. This happens quickly due to the crushed ice.
5 ✓

Pile more crushed ice on top in a cone shape. Clap the garnish mint sprig to release its scent and tuck it into the ice, right next to the straw.

Tip: Clapping releases the mint's scent glands. Placing it near the straw ensures you smell it with every sip (retronasal olfaction).

Recipe FAQ

Why serve it in a metal cup?
Metal is an excellent heat conductor, so the crushed ice immediately chills the cup walls, causing condensation (frost) to form. This visual and tactile effect is part of the experience.
I don't have crushed ice, what should I do?
Place ice cubes in a clean kitchen towel and smash them with a mallet or rolling pin. Crushed ice is essential for proper dilution and cooling.

Ingredients

  • 2 oz Bourbon Whiskey (high quality)
  • 10 leaves Fresh Mint (plus a sprig for garnish)
  • 0.5 oz Simple Syrup (or 2 tsp powdered sugar with a splash of water)
  • 1 cup Crushed Ice (generous amount)