(Note: this post was originally published on April 23, 2020. It has since been updated with some new variations.)
Looking to add a mint julep recipe to your repertoire for Kentucky Derby season? This classic bourbon cocktail is fresh, minty, elegant, and easy to make at home. Whether you're throwing a Kentucky Derby party, hosting a summer dinner gathering, or just looking for an easy warm-weather cocktail, you're going to love these mint julep variations.
This guide will give you everything you need to make mint juleps all season long. First, I cover some basics about what a mint julep is and 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 easy mint julep variations.
Excited to dive in? Keep scrolling down for:
A mint julep is a classic bourbon cocktail made with fresh mint, sugar, ice, and bourbon. It’s best known as the official drink of the Kentucky Derby and is typically served ice-cold in a silver julep glass.
The mint julep is a historical cocktail that dates back to the late 1700's, although it didn't become the signature drink of the Kentucky Derby until 1938. Although the modern version typically uses bourbon, older versions featured other spirits. Check out this Wikipedia article if you want to learn more about the history of this summer bourbon cocktail.
This historical mint and bourbon cocktail uses just a few simple ingredients. Typically, these ingredients are:
The mint julep is an easy cocktail to make since it uses just a few ingredients and is usually mixed right in the serving glass. A classic mint julep involves muddling the sugar and the mint together, which helps the mint to release its flavorful oils, then adding bourbon and ice. Because this summer bourbon cocktail is fast to make, it's a great option for a party; all you need is a muddler and some glasses.
Bourbon is the key ingredient in this Derby Day cocktail, so you'll want to choose a high-quality product. This isn't the place for bottom-shelf bourbon, since there are no juices, bitters, or liqueurs to soften it. My personal 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 other types of whiskey such as rye.
The issue of ice size/shape in a bourbon mint julep can be controversial. A julep is sometimes served over a few large ice cubes and sometimes over crushed ice (or pebble ice). You'll see several 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 bourbon fan and enjoy a stronger drink, a few rocks might be preferable.
Mint juleps (and mint julep variations) are fabulous, versatile, seasonal sips. They're best enjoyed on a warm late-spring or summer evening, ideally outdoors. Just make sure the cocktail is properly chilled, since mint juleps tend to be quite strong.
In terms of presentation, this Kentucky Derby cocktail is usually simple and elegant. Although there are specific silver mint julep glasses that are considered classic, any rocks glass or old fashioned glass will work. And of course don't forget a sprig of fresh mint for garnish!
Thanks to the combination of vibrant mint and cozy bourbon, mint juleps go well with a wide variety of flavors. They pair especially nicely with grilled fare and summer favorites, so they're a perfect cocktail to serve at an outdoor get-together.
The mint also helps this Derby Day cocktail to work well with dishes that have fresh herbs, like summer salads. If you're looking for some specific recipes, you'll love sipping a mint julep alongside this Mint Julep Quinoa Salad, this Vegan Watermelon Mint Salad, and this Grilled Corn, Snap Pea, and Blueberry Salad, all of which feature fresh mint. For appetizers, try this Green Goddess Hummus or this Green Goddess Tofu Dip, which have a variety of fresh herbs.
Now is the fun part! Here are six different mint julep recipes for you to try. I suggest starting with a classic mint julep first, then trying some of the other flavored variations (or creating your own) after.
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 can cater to different tastes.
In this naturally-sweetened mint julep variation (pictured below), you'll use maple syrup in place of granulated sugar. Using maple syrup provides additional flavor and some warming notes. 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 mint julep riff (pictured below) incorporates Luxardo cherry liqueur, which is earthy and complex. It works great through late summer and even into early fall since the Luxardo makes the drink feel cozier. Reduce the sweetener slightly because the Luxardo has some sweetness to it.
This fruit mint julep (pictured below) is fun, whimsical, and seasonal. You'll just muddle some strawberries into the cocktail and garnish with a couple fresh strawberries. 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 mint julep with fruit, this peach-infused version (pictured below) is perfect for late summer. 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.
The combination of honey and mint feels so summery! For this naturally-sweetened mint julep variation (pictured below), you'll use local honey in place of the sugar. Adding a little splash of water to the honey will help it to dissolve, so don't skip this step. Garnish with a piece of honeycomb for extra flair. 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.
If you’re planning a Kentucky Derby party or simply looking for fresh, seasonal drinks to serve all summer long, here are a few more easy cocktail recipes to try. These are light, refreshing, and perfect for warm-weather gatherings.
If you love the fruit-forward twists on a mint julep, these cocktails bring that same iconic seasonal flavor and eye-catching color:
Looking for something crisp and cooling on a warm evening? These cocktails are easy to sip and perfect for outdoor entertaining:
If you enjoy the fresh mint flavor in a mint julep, these herb-forward drinks are a natural next step:
What do you think? Which of these special, elegant, summer bourbon cocktails will you try first? Whether you're new to home mixology or mix up drinks regularly, I hope you have fun with these mint julep variations. And remember, this is just the beginning; there are an infinite number of ways to vary this iconic Kentucky Derby cocktail.
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!
Fresh Herb Green Goddess Hummus
Watermelon, Snap Pea, and Mint Salad
Boozy Nicecream Guide (see the Kentucky Mule flavor in particular!)
Looking for the best mint julep recipe? In this guide, you'll learn how to make a classic Kentucky Derby bourbon mint julep plus five more easy variations with strawberry, peach, cherry, maple, and honey.
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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