Kentucky Derby Mint Julep (Print Page)

A refreshing Southern drink with mint syrup, lemon juice, and sparkling water for a cool treat.

# What You Need:

→ Mint Syrup

01 - 1/4 cup water
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/3 cup fresh mint leaves, plus extra for garnish

→ Mocktail

04 - 1 cup crushed ice
05 - 1 cup cold sparkling water or club soda
06 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
07 - 2 tablespoons mint syrup
08 - Fresh mint sprigs for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Combine water and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, add mint leaves, and steep for 5 minutes. Strain and allow to cool completely.
02 - Fill two julep cups or glasses with 1 cup crushed ice total, dividing evenly between glasses.
03 - Pour 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1 tablespoon mint syrup over the ice in each glass.
04 - Top each glass with 1/2 cup sparkling water or club soda. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
05 - Garnish generously with fresh mint sprigs. Serve immediately with a straw.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like summer in a glass without any alcohol to slow you down on a hot day.
  • The mint syrup is so simple to make that you'll find yourself brewing it for everything from iced tea to desserts.
  • You can pronounce every ingredient, and your kids can help you make it from start to finish.
02 -
  • Never skip the cooling step on your mint syrup—pouring warm syrup over ice creates a temperature shock that can actually dull the mint flavor instead of brightening it.
  • The difference between muddy-tasting mint and vibrant mint comes down to using the top leaves of the plant and never letting them steep longer than five minutes, no matter how tempting it is.
03 -
  • If you're serving a crowd, make a larger batch of mint syrup and set up a self-serve station where people can build their own drink—it keeps everything cold and gives them control over the flavor profile.
  • The sound of fresh mint being slapped before it goes into the glass isn't just for show; it actually releases the aromatic oils that make this drink smell as good as it tastes.
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