However, you can also use a rocks glass or other glass as a mint julep cup. The metal-plated cups keep the drink ice cold, not unlike the copper mugs that are used for Moscow Mules. You can find them online in stainless steel or silver-plated, sometimes there are even brass or pewter cups. Mint juleps are often served in a silver cup. If you find yourself in Louisville, Kentucky, head to the Silver Dollar and order their mint julep - it’s the best julep I’ve ever had that I didn’t make myself. The mint julep we know and love became the official drink of the Kentucky Derby in 1938 and is served in bars around the world. Kentucky Senator Henry Clay then brought the recipe with him to Washington, D.C. The recipe then traveled to Kentucky where bourbon whiskey replaced the need to import booze from the Caribbean. However, it dates back to before the Civil War and has roots in Virginia where it was made with rum and brandy and was enjoyed for medicinal purposes. The mint julep is one of the oldest cocktails and has lots of Great Gatsby vibes. I much prefer my way so you can choose your own bourbon! History of the mint julep I’ll go into more detail on my favorite bourbons for mint juleps below, but I will note that their comment above points out that they use the mint-infused bourbon by Old Forester. “That’s a feat that requires more than 10,000 bottles of Old Forester Mint Julep Ready-to-Serve Cocktail, 1,000 pounds of freshly harvested mint and 60,000 pounds of ice.”
The official drink of the Kentucky DerbyĪccording to the Kentucky Derby website, as many as 120,000 mint juleps are served over the two-day period of Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby weekend at the Churchill Downs Racetrack. (Ideally alongside a slice of Kentucky Derby Pie.)īecause they are often served in a silver julep cup, these cocktails become ice cold, so they are extra delicious on a hot day. Though these strong cocktails are traditionally served at the Kentucky Derby, they can be enjoyed any time of year. Mint juleps are a simple yet classic cocktail made of sweetened bourbon poured over ice with aromatic mint. When your herb garden is overflowing with mint, it means two things: 1) you have mastered herb gardening and 2) it’s time to make a mint julep. Tip: A slightly higher-proof bourbon will keep the crushed ice from diluting the cocktail too quickly.Famous for its starring role at the Kentucky Derby, the mint julep is a classic bourbon cocktail filled with fresh flavor and is perfect for afternoon sipping. Made from a mash of at least 51% corn grain, and aged for two years in charred oak barrels, this kind of bourbon is smooth, sweet, and a popular ingredient for Mint Julep cocktails. If you want to go really traditional and play into the Kentucky Derby legacy of the cocktail, we’d recommend choosing a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. As such, you want to go for a bourbon that you would be happy to sip neat. Since the spirit is the only liquid that goes into the drink, it plays a big role in the ultimate flavor profile. What is the best bourbon for a Mint Julep?Ī good rule of thumb is to use the best bourbon you can find.
EASY MINT JULEP RECIPE FULL
Originally used by banks to transport coins, clever 19th-century bartenders started using it to make crushed ice, taking full advantage of the canvas sack’s durability and ability to absorb excess water.
Tip: If you want to make crushed ice at home, we recommend investing in something called a Lewis Bag. This will ensure that the aromatic oils from the mint is released without adding any lingering bitter notes to your drink. When you muddle your mint leaves and simple syrup together, go slowly and gently to ensure that the leaves are not roughly torn in the process. The tools you’ll need to muddle mint for a Mint Julep include your glass of choice (either a Julep cup or a rocks glass), and a wooden cocktail muddler, or an unfinished wooden spoon. Muddling mint leaves is not hard at all, but it does call for a light touch. While you can happily serve it in a rocks glass without raising any eyebrows, a classic Mint Julep is traditionally served in a silver or pewter Julep cup that is held by the handle or rim so the cup maintains optimum frost. It’s also worth noting (and an interesting fact to share with friends over drinks) that the julep itself is actually a category of drinks that refers to cocktails featuring a spirit served over crushed ice. In the real world, it’s perhaps best known as the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, where the cooling cocktail is sipped along the racetrack as thoroughbreds compete for the winning title. One of the Mint Julep’s major claims to fame is its starring role in The Great Gatsby in the hand of the novel’s hapless heroine Daisy, who named it her summertime cocktail of choice.
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