(Note: this post was originally published on April 23, 2020. It has since been updated with some new variations.)
As we move deeper into spring, it's undoubtedly becoming the season of the mint julep. This classic bourbon cocktail is boozy, a touch sweet, loaded with fresh mint, and so elegant. If there's one cocktail to master this spring and summer, it's the bourbon mint julep.
I find that 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. Many people have mint growing in their yards or gardens, so it's a great opportunity to use your own homegrown herbs. 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 what ingredients are typically in a classic bourbon mint julep. After that, I share a bunch of different 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.
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 then gets topped off with a healthy dose of bourbon and lots of ice (often crushed ice) and garnished with a sprig of mint. Easy, fast to make, yet impressive and oh so special!
Bourbon is the key ingredient here, 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 your rare 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.
What type of ice should you serve your bourbon mint julep on? It's a controversial question! A julep is sometimes served over a few rocks, and sometimes over crushed ice. The former is my preference since the bourbon doesn't become diluted as quickly, but the latter is the more traditional Kentucky Derby approach. I say do what works for you for all the mint julep recipes I share here. If you're a big bourbon fan, a few rocks might be preferable; if you're a bourbon newbie, crushed ice will give you a more approachable drink.
Let's start at the beginning: the classic mint julep recipe. It's easy to make, so fresh, 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, 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 and delightful distilled products).
This summer bourbon cocktail version 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 bourbon mint julep 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.
This seductive julep riff 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 Cherry Chai Manhattan!). 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.
I adore the combination of honey and mint, it's just so summery. For this version, 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, such as the aged honey spirit shown below. Thank you busy bees!
What do you think? Which of these special, elegant summer bourbon cocktails will you try first? We've had such fun over many years 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.
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!
Because this post is all about mint julep variations, there's no single "recipe". Please refer to all the examples above, then create your own recipe!
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.
Leave a Comment