Mint Julep Recipe & More For the Ultimate Kentucky Derby Party (2024)

It’s Derby day! Time to put on a fancy hat, cut a slice of Kentucky Derby pie and mix up this mint julep recipe.

A mint julep was one of those co*cktails I’d always heard about, but I was in my 40s the first time I tried one. One sip, and I understood why it’s such a southern favorite.

Mint juleps are sweet and strong, like a lot of southern women! And they taste amazing. You have to serve mint juleps while watching the Run for the Roses and definitely if you’re hosting a Kentucky Derby party.

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I love a cool, refreshing co*cktail with a kick, especially one steeped in such tradition.

Close to 120,000 mint juleps will be served during two days of races during the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. That’s a lot of bourbon and mint!

As fancy as they might seem, mint juleps are really easy to make.

Start with a homemade simple syrup, a silver julep cup, lots of crushed iced, some fresh mint and your favorite Kentucky bourbon. If you really want to be fancy, add a silver or stainless steel straw or a swizzle stick.

Mint Julep Ingredients & Supplies

You’ll need the follow ingredients and barware supplies for this classic mint julep recipe.

• mint leaves
• Kentucky bourbon
• homemade simple syrup
• crushed ice
• silver julep cup
• wooden muddler
• co*cktail stirrer
• swizzle stick
• silver straw

How to Make a Classic Mint Julep

You’ll need to make a simple syrup to use to sweeten the mint julep. I recommend making this syrup ahead of time and storing it in the refrigerator until co*cktail hour.

To prepare the simple syrup, combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a pan. Bring to a boil and stir until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Refrigerate until ready to use.

One of the keys to a great mint julep is that distinctive mint flavor. Don’t just throw the mint leaves in your cup. You want to release the oils to release the flavor. Begin by clapping a couple of leaves several times in the palm of your hand. Rub these leaves all along the inside of a julep cup.

Place 8 to 10 mint leaves in the bottom of the cup, along with 1 ounce of simple syrup. Use the back of a spoon or a wooden muddler to gently bruise the leaves.
Fill the julep cup halfway with ice and add bourbon.

Stir until the cup is frosty, then fill with ice and stir gently once more.

Garnish with mint sprigs.

I ended up planting a container of mint on our back porch so I could make mint juleps without running to the grocery store. Mint is one of the easiest plants to grow, and in our zone, it even came back after winter. (Just make sure to plant mint separate from other plants because it can quicky take over a garden. I recommend planting it in a container.

Kentucky Derby Essentials

Pin This! Classic Mint Julep Recipe

Be sure to check out my recipe for Kentucky Derby Pie, a trifecta of deliciousness made with pecans, chocolate and bourbon.

Plan the ultimate Kentucky Derby party with this collection of traditional southern recipes, including appetizers, desserts and more co*cktails.

And if you loveequestrian style, don’t miss this decorating and fashion post.