The classic Mint Julep is the perfect summer sipper on a hot summer day! This recipe combines an easy mint simple syrup, Bourbon, and a little soda water. Pour it all over crushed ice, garnish with mint, and you’re off to the races!
Happy National Mint Julep Day!
While most people associate Mint Juleps with the Kentucky Derby, the “official” day in which this refreshing cocktail is honored is May 30th.
And what timing – it’s Memorial Day!
We need to talk….about MINT.
Do yourself a favor:
- Pick up a plant next time you’re at the Farmer’s Market. Or in the parking lot of most home improvement or grocery stores (you know what I’m talking about….).
- Pick up a cute little pot and plant that mint right in it.
- Water it, nourish it, love it, talk it. Yes. Talk to it. Plats are living things, too!
- Enjoy the abundance of your little mint buddy all summer long.
Oh, and make this mint simple syrup!
Equal parts sugar + water + whatever flavor you’d like. I used mint here (a whole bundle of it), but other awesome ideas could include:
- Any citrus rind (Grapefruit! Lemon! Blood Orange!)
- Other Herbs (Rosemary! Thyme! Cilantro!)
- Berries (Strawberries! Raspberries! Snozberries!)
Any catch that last one? NOW you’re paying attention….
There really isn’t much to this cocktail recipe beyond making the simple syrup!
- Add simple syrup to ice-filled cocktail shaker
- Add Bourbon – and lots of it
- Shake Shake Shake
- Pour in to cup filled with crushed ice
- Top with soda
I’m telling you. For a drink that is essentially all booze, you can hardly tell.
Which is a little intimidating in and of itself, so you know: proceed with caution.
Cheers to cool cocktails and good times this Memorial Day Weekend!
Tried these Mint Juleps and loved them? Use the hashtag #sohappyyoulikedit and tag @sohappyyoulikedit on social media so I can see your creations!
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Mint Julep
Ingredients
- 3 oz bourbon
- 1 oz mint simple syrup (recipe below)
- Soda water
For the mint simple syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 20-30 fresh mint leaves
Instructions
For the mint simple syrup:
- Add water and sugar to sauce pan, heat over medium heat.
- Carefully swirl pan to combine sugar and water, but be careful not to splash liquid.
- Once sugar is dissolved, remove from heat, and add mint leaves. Let simple syrup sit until cool enough to handle. Transfer to a glass jar to cool further in fridge.
For Mint Julep:
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add bourbon and mint simple syrup. Shake, shake, shake!
- Pour in to a mint julep cup filled with ice. Top with soda water, and garnish with mint sprig.