Mint Julep
An ice-cold bourbon classic with crushed ice, fresh mint and a touch of sweetness: Kentucky's answer to summer.
Ingredients
- Bourbon, a good Kentucky bourbon60 ml
- Mint, fresh leaves, gently pressed10 leaves
- Ice, crushed icefill the glass
- Rich simple syrup (2 parts Sugar, 1 part Water)15 ml
- Aromatic bitters (Angostura), for extra depth (optional)e.g. Angostura2 dashes
- Mint, to garnish, lightly slapped between your hands (optional)1 sprig
Method
- Chill a julep cup thoroughly, in the freezer or with iced water.
- Put the mint leaves in the bottom of the cup, add the rich simple syrup and press the mint gently to release its oils, without tearing the leaves.
- Half-fill the cup with crushed ice, pour the bourbon over and stir briefly to chill the mixture.
- Top up with more crushed ice, heaping it into a dome above the rim, and stir briefly again to frost the cup.
- Add a couple of dashes of Angostura bitters for extra depth, if you like.
- Garnish with a mint sprig, lightly slapped between your hands, and set it beside the straw.
- Serve at once, holding the cup at the top and bottom to keep the frost.
About this drink
The Mint Julep is inseparable from the Kentucky Derby and the American South, where it is traditionally served in a frosted silver or pewter cup. The drink dates from nineteenth-century Virginia and Kentucky, where mint, sugar and local whiskey were combined against the summer heat. The iconic frost on the cup appears when crushed ice meets metal, and it matters as much to the experience as the flavour itself.
Questions and answers
Why use crushed ice in a Mint Julep?
Crushed ice melts quickly and dilutes the drink steadily, while frosting the outside of the cup into a signature icy surface. It is part of the whole experience, not just a way of chilling.
Why should you not tear the mint in a Mint Julep?
Torn leaves release bitter chlorophyll compounds that spoil the fresh, sweet scent of the mint. Press gently, just enough to release the oils.
Which cup should you use for a Mint Julep?
A silver or copper julep cup is the classic choice and helps keep the drink cold by frosting on the outside. An ordinary highball or rocks glass works fine if you do not have one.
