(Note: this post was originally published on April 23, 2020. It has since been updated with some new variations.)
If there's one cocktail to master this spring and summer, it's the bourbon mint julep. This classic bourbon cocktail is boozy, a touch sweet, loaded with fresh mint, and so elegant.
Mint juleps (and mint julep variations) are fabulous, versatile, seasonal sips. They go great with anything on the grill, so they're a perfect summer bourbon cocktail to serve at an outdoor get-together. The mint also helps them work nicely with dishes that have fresh herbs, like summer salads (including this Mint Julep Quinoa Salad!). Mint juleps are easy to make yet impressive, and can be adjusted to incorporate other seasonal flavors.
This post is an ode to the iconic Kentucky Derby cocktail. First, I cover some basics about how to make a classic bourbon mint julep. After that, I share five additional mint julep recipes incorporating everything from strawberries to peaches to honey. I hope this post inspires you to try a few of these elegant and unique mint julep variations, ideally sitting outside on a warm evening, as you enjoy the best season of the year.
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This historical summer bourbon cocktail uses just a few simple ingredients. Typically, granulated sugar (often Demarara sugar, which is less processed and very flavorful) is muddled in a serving glass with abundant fresh mint. Muddling the sugar and mint together helps release the fragrant oils from the leaves. That delightful-smelling combination gets topped off with a healthy dose of bourbon and lots of ice, then garnished with a sprig of mint. It's easy and takes just a minute to make, yet the end result feels special and celebratory.
Bourbon is the key ingredient in this classic cocktail, so you'll want to work with a high-quality product. This isn't the place for bottom-shelf bourbon, since there are no juices, bitters, or liqueurs to soften it. Although likewise, this isn't necessarily the place for a high-end sipping bourbon either. My usual preference is a solid middle shelf bourbon like Knob Creek, Bulleit, or Buffalo Trace. And while bourbon is the classic approach, mint julep variations can also work nicely with rye.
The issue of ice size/shape in a mint julep can be controversial. A julep is sometimes served over a few large cubes and sometimes over crushed ice (or pebble ice). We do both an home, depending on our mood, so you'll see a number of different types of ice in these photos. Crushed ice is traditional at the Kentucky Derby; it makes the cocktail feel more refreshing and the end result is both more hydrating and more mellow. If you're a big bourbon fan, a few rocks might be preferable; if you're a bourbon newbie (or if it's a hot day), crushed ice will give you a more approachable drink.
Let's start at the beginning: the traditional mint julep recipe (pictured below). It's easy to make, classic, elegant, and is a perfect way to transition bourbon to the warmer months. You can vary the amount of bourbon as well as the sweetness, so you have a lot of control to cater to different tastes.
This is how we make them most frequently at home. In this mint julep variation (pictured below), I use maple syrup in place of granulated sugar. Using maple syrup provides lovely additional flavor, and I'm always excited to use a local product rather than one from afar. Bonus points for garnishing with a maple sugar candy. If you're feeling like a high-roller, use Whistlepig (which is actually a rye, but it's one of Vermont's most well-known distilled products).
This seductive julep riff (pictured below) incorporates Luxardo cherry liqueur, which is delightfully earthy and complex. This may be my favorite mint julep recipe of all since I'm enamored with the combination of whiskey and Luxardo (see also my Tom and Cherry for a play on this combination). It works great through late summer and even into early fall since the Luxardo makes it feel cozier. Reduce the sweetener a bit because the Luxardo has some sweetness to it.
This summer bourbon cocktail version (pictured below) is fun, fruity, and super seasonal. You'll just muddle some strawberries into the cocktail and garnish with a couple fresh strawberries. This is a great way to make a julep feel a little bit lighter (and perhaps more accessible to bourbon newbies). As written, I suggest making the drink in a cocktail stirring glass and straining it so that you can remove the strawberry pulp, but feel free to make this right in the serving glass if you don't mind the pulp.
Another fruity variation, this peach-infused bourbon mint julep (pictured below) is perfect for late summer and has such southern vibes. You'll omit (or reduce) the sweetener, and instead use half an ounce of peach schnapps. Similar to the recipe above, I suggest making the drink in a cocktail stirring glass and straining it so that you can remove the peach pulp, but feel free to make this right in the serving glass if you don't mind the pulp. Or, take the lazy way out and don't worry about muddling in fresh peaches; just use peach schnapps for an easier version of this mint julep variation.
I adore the combination of honey and mint, it's just so summery. For this version (pictured below), I use local honey in place of the sugar. Start with less than you think you need, since honey is actually sweeter than maple syrup. Garnish with a piece of honeycomb for extra flair and for a delightful, drippy treat. Although decidedly non-traditional, I sometimes make this version with a honey-based distilled product, which is why the cocktail in the photo below is lighter in color than bourbon.
What do you think? Which of these special, elegant summer bourbon cocktails will you try first? We have such fun experimenting with different bourbon mint juleps, rye mint juleps, and fruity mint juleps. They're wonderful, versatile, and elegant cocktails for summer entertaining and we hope you'll have as much fun with these different variations as we have.
One final thought. If you have mint growing in your yard, you know that it can easily get out of control and take over everything. Drinking mint juleps is our preferred way to keep our mint in check; it's much more peaceful than trying to pull it out by the roots or attacking it with the weed whacker. So cheers to summer, and cheers to doing your duty to protect the yard from mint.
It makes me so happy to hear from you and see your creations! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this recipe. If you post a photo on Instagram, hashtag #TheRogueBrusselSprout and tag me (@TheRogueBrusselSprout) in the post text so that I'm sure to see it.
As with all my cocktail recipes, please enjoy responsibly!
Watermelon, Snap Pea, and Mint Salad
Boozy Nicecream Guide (see the Kentucky Mule flavor in particular!)
An iconic summer bourbon cocktail, the mint julep is a favorite in our house. Check out all these unique mint julep recipe variations to keep this classic cocktail fresh and exciting all season long.
Did you make this recipe? Did you make substitutions? How did you serve it? Any helpful tips? Please share your thoughts, since these insights are really useful to both me and to other readers.
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