Classic Mint Julep Recipe (Easy Kentucky Derby Drink)

There are approximately 120,000 mint juleps served at Churchill Downs every Kentucky Derby weekend, and after one sip of this recipe you’ll completely understand why.

Fresh mint, smooth bourbon, a touch of simple syrup, and a mountain of crushed ice served in a frosty silver julep cup. Iit’s one of those cocktails that’s both perfectly simple and completely iconic.

The mint julep has been the official drink of the Kentucky Derby since 1938, and the recipe hasn’t changed much since then for good reason. It doesn’t need to. A good bourbon, fresh mint, and the right technique is all it takes to make one of the most refreshing cocktails you’ll ever drink.

Whether you’re hosting a Derby party or just need a reason to break out the good bourbon on a Saturday afternoon, this is your recipe.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE:

• Ready in 5 minutes — shaken and poured before the first race even starts
• Only 4 ingredients — simple syrup, fresh mint, bourbon, and crushed ice
• Endlessly scalable — make one or make a pitcher for a crowd
• The official Kentucky Derby cocktail — classic, iconic, and never goes out of style
• Completely refreshing — cold, minty, and just sweet enough

SHOP THIS RECIPE:

• Silver julep cups —  the traditional vessel that keeps your drink ice cold and looks absolutely stunning on a Derby party table
• Cocktail muddler — essential for properly bruising the mint leaves and releasing their oils without shredding them
• Cocktail shaker — for combining everything properly before pouring
• Lewis bag and mallet — the classic way to make crushed ice at home; a blender works too in a pinch
• Good bourbon — this is a 4-ingredient cocktail so the bourbon matters; Woodford Reserve is the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby and worth every penny, Jim Beam is a budget friendly option.

Greta

Classic Mint Julep (The Official Drink of the Kentucky Derby)

The classic Mint Julep recipe. Fresh mint, bourbon, and simple syrup over crushed ice. The iconic Kentucky Derby cocktail ready in minutes.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Servings: 1

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• ½ oz. simple syrup
• 8 fresh mint leaves stems removed, plus more for garnish
• 2 oz. bourbon
• Crushed ice

Method

 

1. Add the simple syrup and mint leaves to a cocktail shaker.
2. Muddle the mint leaves until fragrant — press and twist gently to bruise the leaves and release their oils. Don’t shred them.
3. Add ice cubes to the shaker.
4. Pour in the bourbon.
5. Shake well.
6. Fill a silver julep cup or rocks glass generously with crushed ice.
7. Strain and pour the julep over the crushed ice.
8. Garnish with a generous sprig of fresh mint. Cheers!

TIPS & VARIATIONS:

• Muddle gently — you want to bruise the mint to release its oils, not shred it. Over-muddling releases bitter compounds and makes the drink taste grassy
• Crushed ice is non-negotiable — it’s not just aesthetic. Crushed ice chills faster, dilutes slowly, and creates that signature frosty exterior on a silver julep cup
• Use a silver julep cup — beyond the tradition, silver conducts cold beautifully and keeps your drink icy longer than a regular glass
• Choose your bourbon wisely — this is a simple cocktail so the bourbon is the star. Woodford Reserve is the official Derby bourbon and a classic choice. Maker’s Mark and Buffalo Trace are excellent alternatives
• Make simple syrup in minutes — combine equal parts sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stir until the sugar dissolves, and cool completely before using
• Make it a pitcher — multiply the recipe by the number of guests, combine everything in a pitcher, and serve over crushed ice for easy entertaining
• Flavored variations — swap regular simple syrup for peach, lavender, or strawberry simple syrup for a fun twist

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

• Serve in a silver julep cup packed with crushed ice for the full Derby experience
• Garnish generously with fresh mint — the aroma is half the experience
• Pair with classic Derby party fare like benedictine finger sandwiches, pimento cheese, and bourbon pecan pie
• Set up a julep bar for guests with different bourbon options and flavored simple syrups for a fun interactive party element
• Serve alongside our Bourbon Lemonade and Grapefruit Whiskey Smash for a full bourbon cocktail spread

Frequently Asked Questions

What bourbon is best for a mint julep? Woodford Reserve is the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby and a classic choice. Maker’s Mark, Buffalo Trace, and Bulleit are all excellent options. Use a bourbon you enjoy drinking on its own. If it’s good neat, it’ll be great in a julep.

Do I have to use a silver julep cup? Technically no, but it really does make a difference. Silver conducts cold beautifully and keeps your drink icy longer. Plus it looks incredible. A rocks glass works fine if that’s what you have.

What’s the best way to make crushed ice at home? A Lewis bag and wooden mallet is the traditional method. Put ice cubes in the bag and whack them. A blender with the ice crush setting works too. Or just buy a bag of crushed ice from the store. No judgment.

Can I make mint juleps ahead for a party? Yes. Pre-muddle the mint with simple syrup up to an hour ahead and store covered in the refrigerator. Add bourbon and crushed ice right before serving for the best result.

How strong is a mint julep? A classic mint julep is 2 oz. of bourbon per drink, roughly equivalent to a standard cocktail. The crushed ice dilutes it slightly as it melts, making it very easy to drink. Pace yourself accordingly.

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:

• Muddling in the shaker — releases the mint oils directly into the simple syrup, coating every molecule of liquid with fresh mint flavor before the bourbon ever touches it
• Shaking over ice — chills and dilutes the cocktail to exactly the right balance before it hits the crushed ice
• Crushed ice — massive surface area means maximum chill, minimal dilution speed, and that gorgeous frosty exterior on the cup
• Simple syrup over granulated sugar — dissolves completely and evenly, no gritty undissolved sugar at the bottom of the glass
• Generous mint garnish — your nose hits the mint before your lips hit the drink, which is exactly the experience a mint julep is supposed to deliver

More Derby Day Drinks You’ll Love

• Kentucky Bourbon Arnold Palmer — Love bourbon? Our Kentucky Bourbon Arnold Palmer is the refreshing twist you need in your Derby Day rotation.
• Fizzy Bourbon Lemonade — For another easy bourbon sipper, our Fizzy Bourbon Lemonade is bright, bubbly, and totally crushable.
• Grapefruit Whiskey Smash — If you like your cocktails on the citrusy side, our Grapefruit Whiskey Smash is your next obsession.
• Berry Brandy Sangria  — Not a bourbon drinker? Our Berry Brandy Sangria is fruity, gorgeous, and perfect for Derby parties too.