Mint Julep

The Mint Julep has a refreshing, herbal, sweet, spirit-forward flavor profile. The Mint Julep is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, where nearly 120,000 are served each year. Its origins trace back to the American South in the late 1700s. The combination of bourbon, fresh mint, and crushed ice creates an astonishingly refreshing drink, especially served in the traditional silver or pewter cup that frosts beautifully in the hand.

A Mint Julep requires 3 ingredients: Bourbon Whiskey, Simple Syrup, Mint Sprig.

A Mint Julep takes about 5 minutes to prepare and is considered easy difficulty.

A Mint Julep is traditionally served in a Julep cup or rocks glass, garnished with Mint bouquet.

Yes, you can make a mocktail version of the Mint Julep by substituting the spirits with non-alcoholic alternatives such as seedlip, non-alcoholic distilled spirits, or flavored syrups and juices that mimic the original flavor profile.

The Mint Julep's roots stretch deep into American soil, emerging in the late 1700s in the antebellum South. Originally conceived as a morning bracer—often consumed before breakfast—the julep evolved from earlier medicinal tonics that combined spirits with mint for digestive purposes. The drink's association with the Kentucky Derby began in 1938, cementing its place in American sporting tradition. Historically, juleps were made with whatever local spirits were available, including rum, brandy, or whiskey, but bourbon eventually became the standard. The cocktail's preparation was elevated to an art form in the South, where wealthy plantation owners served them in elaborate silver cups, a tradition that continues today. The word 'julep' itself derives from the Persian 'gulab,' meaning rosewater, reflecting the drink's medicinal origins. During Prohibition, the Mint Julep nearly disappeared, but its revival post-1933 coincided with bourbon's renaissance, making it an enduring symbol of refined Southern culture.