The HerKentucky Guide to Mint Juleps
Gear up for Kentucky Derby 141 with a fresh batch of mint juleps!
Happy Derby Week, y'all! Kentucky Derby 141 is almost here, and HerKentucky has a series of tips that will help you do Derby like a local. Today, we're talking about the Kentucky Derby's signature cocktail, the mint julep!
Mad Men's Betty Draper serves mint juleps.
Mint juleps are one of the most iconic things about the Kentucky Derby. Oddly, they're among the most divisive, too. Some folks find the signature blend of Kentucky bourbon whiskey, simple syrup, and muddled mint to be a refreshing spring cocktail, while others consider it a waste of good bourbon. I love a julep around Derby Day, while my beau cites legendary Louisville newspaperman Henry Watterson's recipe: "Pluck the mint gently from its bed, just as the dew of the evening is about to form upon it ... Prepare the simple syrup and measure out a half-tumbler of whiskey." "Pour the whiskey into a well-frosted silver cup, throw the other ingredients away and drink the whiskey."
Whether you love or hate the drink, it's pretty much a rule that you have to know how to make a mint julep if you're entertaining folks around Derby time.
The first thing you need to do is decide on a julep cup. A silver julep cup is, of course, the traditional way to go. I recently had a chance to talk to Matt Burnett of Wakefield-Scearce Galleries. For Matt, the julep cup is, quite literally, the family business. His grandfather, Mark Scearce, was a jeweler turned silversmith who was originally drawn to julep cup design while buying up coin silver during the World War II silver shortage. Over the years, Mr. Scearce developed a unique design that incorporates an English-style watermark and a seal denoting the current U.S. President. Silver julep cups are stunning, of course, but I asked Matt whether it was a lot of work to constantly polish a set. "Not if you use them often!" was his quick response. "Frequent use keeps them shiny!"
Antique coin-silver julep cups at Wakefield-Scearce.
Stoneware julep cups from Louisville Stoneware are another fantastic option. These gorgeous cups are a colorful and unique way to keep your julep cold, yet staying comfortable to the touch.
When it comes to bourbon, I always advise people to stick to what they personally like to drink. After all, a mint julep is just like any other cocktail, and comes down to personally preference. Of course, you should keep that within reason; it's a travesty to mix 23-year Pappy Van Winkle with anything. Woodford Reserve or Maker's Mark are always good. Old Forester makes for a delicious cocktail. (That's what the track is using this year!)
Another consideration is your mint -- most recipes call for Kentucky Colonel. This year, I picked up a Chocolate Mint varietal as well; can't wait to see how the flavors vary!
Of course, you can get as fancy or as simple with your sugar for the simple syrup as you like. I use demerara sugar for a little more complex flavor.
Classic Mint Julep Recipe
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups water
- Sprigs of fresh mint
- Crushed ice
- Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey (your favorite brand is the best!)
Make a simple syrup by boiling sugar and water together for five minutes. Cool and place in a covered container with six or eight sprigs of fresh mint, then refrigerate overnight. Make one julep at a time by filling a julep cup with crushed ice, adding one tablespoon mint syrup and two ounces of Kentucky bourbon. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the outside of the cup. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.
Have a great Derby Week! Cheers, y'all!
HerKentucky's Favorite Bourbon Cocktail Recipes
Celebrate Bourbon Heritage Month with a Kentucky Bourbon Cocktail!
September is Bourbon Heritage Month. This month at HerKentucky, we've shown you some sweet treats made with bourbon, a delicious savory bourbon sauce, a fabulous historic tour, and even a great way to support bourbon sustainability efforts. But you know what we haven't discussed yet? Cocktails.
Everyone knows that the best way to enjoy Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey is neat, with a couple of ice cubes to evenly dilute the flavor. But, sometimes you need to mix it up. Here is a list of some of the HerKentucky team's favorite bourbon cocktail recipes.
Liz's Skinny Manhattan
Liz came up with a way to enjoy her very favorite bourbon drink without packing in the extra calories. You can check out the recipe here.
The HerKentucky Pumpkin Spiced Manhattan
Liz has another take on her beloved Manhattan here. This time, she added the tastes of autumn!
Belle's Berry Cobbler Mint Julep
Glenda had this drink at Belle's Cocktail House in Lexington, and loved it so much that she asked for the recipe!
Maker's Mark Hot Toddy
This is my go-to recipe when I'm fighting off a cold, or when there's a chill in the air. We first ran the recipe for National Hot Toddy Day. But, this time of year, should they all be hot toddy days?
What's your favorite bourbon cocktail?
Ale-8 Minty Julep Slush
Sometimes it's just too hot outside for a cocktail.
Well, that may be a little bit of a stretch, but sometimes you want a cool, refreshing drink that isn't boozy. Or something frozen, fun and unexpected for your younger guests or for those who don't imbibe.
This summer, it seems I can't get enough
. Something about the smoothness, the velvety texture, and the gingery finish just works. And, I'm always looking for ways to utilize the bumper crop of mint in my garden. Put the two together, and you have the Minty Julep.
Recently, I was thinking about
all the reasons I love a mint julep
(not just on Derby!), and realized that my summertime obsessions could be put to good use. My spearmint is strong enough to stand up to the bright ginger of the Ale-8, and slushy ice is always a good thing. These are great all summer long, and would be a fantastic alternative to a bourbon drink for your Derby party next spring.
Ale-8 "Minty Julep" Slush
2- 12 oz. bottles Ale-8-One or Diet Ale-8
1 to 2 cups ice
Several sprigs of mint
Pour one bottle of Ale-8 in a saucepan and add two or three sprigs of mint. Bring to a boil until reduced by about half. Strain and let cool completely.
Add a cup or so of ice to a food processor (or one of those fancy margarita machines, if you have one) and blend until slushy.
For a mint julep-style mocktail
: Serve immediately, fill 8oz glasses with ice, pour cooled simple syrup over ice, and garnish with remaining mint sprigs. (You may want to add a little additional Ale-8, to taste.)
For a slushier drink:
Pour syrup and a cup or so of the crushed ice into a freezer bag. Let freeze several hours or overnight.
Of course, if you want to add a little kick, that would be good, too...
I love those purse-sized bottles!