Mint Julep
A Kentucky Derby staple of bourbon, sugar, and mint over crushed ice — all-spirit core with no perishable citrus, making it ideal for large-batch service.
Set servings & plan this recipe →
How to make it
Built in the glass · Easy · about 3 minutes
- 1
Gently muddle the mint leaves in the bottom of a julep cup to release the oils and aromatics — press, don't pulverize.
- 2
Add the bourbon whiskey and simple syrup to the julep cup and fill with crushed ice.
- 3
Stir gently to combine.
- 4
Garnish with mint sprig bouquet and dusting of powdered sugar.
Tools you'll need
Making a batch for a party?
This example makes 12 servings with added water at 0% of the full recipe volume before dilution. This is a planning assumption; water from ice at service is not predicted. Edit this recipe and create a purchase sheet → See the pre-calculated 30-serve batch →
| Ingredient | × 12 | mL |
|---|---|---|
| Bourbon whiskey | 30.0 oz | 887 |
| Simple syrup | 6.0 oz | 177 |
BatchPour tools produce estimates for planning purposes only. Actual dilution, ABV, and ingredient yields vary by technique, ice temperature, and produce. Always taste and adjust. Drink responsibly.
If you like the Mint Julep, try…
Old Fashioned
whiskeyWhiskey, sugar, bitters — the original cocktail, built in the glass.
Whiskey Sour
whiskeyBourbon, lemon, and sweetener — the essential American sour.
Manhattan
whiskeyRye, sweet vermouth, bitters — the stately stirred classic.
Penicillin
whiskeyScotch, lemon, honey-ginger, peaty float — a modern classic.
Mint Julep FAQ
What's in a Mint Julep?
A classic Mint Julep is made with bourbon whiskey, simple syrup. It's built in the glass and served in a julep cup glass.
What is the ABV of a Mint Julep?
The listed ingredients calculate to approximately 37.5% ABV before added water or ice melt, with approximately 1.88 US standard drinks per serving. Water lowers the concentration but does not change the alcohol quantity.
Should I shake or stir a Mint Julep?
Neither — the Mint Julep is built right in the glass, so no shaker or mixing glass is needed.
How do I batch Mint Juleps for a party?
Scale each ingredient by your number of servings. Open this recipe in the batch planner to choose added water, package sizes and ingredients to hold for service. Preset water percentages are planning assumptions applied to all recipe liquid before dilution, not predictions of ice melt.