🥃 Mint Julep
Classic bourbon cocktail with mint, sugar and crushed ice; the IBA recipe uses 60 ml (2 oz) of bourbon; the name comes from a Persian word, and it has been the Kentucky Derby drink since 1938.
Mint Julep is the classic American bourbon cocktail of mint, sugar and crushed ice, tied to the southern United States and to the Kentucky Derby races. The IBA recipe mixes 60 ml of bourbon with four mint sprigs, one teaspoon of powdered sugar and two teaspoons of water.
Origin of the name. According to Difford's Guide, the word “julep” comes from a Persian word for a sweet syrup scented with rosewater. Similar drinks travelled through Europe to America and changed their base along the way. The earliest written mention is sought in a 1634 masque by John Milton, and the first verified one is in a 1803 book by John Davis.
From rum to whiskey. Early juleps were made with rum, brandy or whiskey. By 1900 the base was usually whiskey, and later bourbon. According to the same source, in 1938 the julep became the official drink of the Kentucky Derby and began to be served in tall glasses instead of paper cups. The classic form, with spirit, sugar and mint over hand-cracked ice, took shape by the 1830s.
Preparation. In a metal julep cup, the mint is gently pressed with sugar and water, crushed ice is added, bourbon is poured in, and the drink is stirred until the cup frosts over. A mint sprig is placed on top.
Why this matters to you. Icy mint masks the strength: the bourbon in the cup is almost pure spirit. Crushed ice melts quickly, so the taste changes. The WHO reminds: there is no safe level of alcohol.
Facts
| Year founded | USA; name from a Persian word; written mentions from 1634 (disputed, per Difford's Guide) and 1803 |
|---|---|
| Raw material | bourbon (60 ml per IBA), mint, powdered sugar, water, crushed ice |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Mint Julep → affects → 🍷 Alcohol and health ← affects ← 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Made from
- 🥃 Bourbon whiskey
- What it contains
- 🍬 Sugar
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 Americans
- Part of
- 🥃 Bourbon whiskey
- Related to
- 🥃 Kentucky Bourbon
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Monkey Gland, 🥃 Monkey Gland
Frequently asked questions
What is in a Mint Julep according to the IBA?
60 ml (2 oz) of bourbon, four mint sprigs, one teaspoon of powdered sugar and two teaspoons of water, over crushed ice.
Is the Mint Julep the official drink of the Kentucky Derby?
Yes. According to Difford's Guide, it became the official drink of the races in 1938, when it began to be served in tall glasses instead of paper cups.
Where does the word “julep” come from?
According to Difford's Guide, from a Persian word for a sweet syrup scented with rosewater.
Why is a julep served in a metal cup?
Metal quickly frosts over from the ice, which keeps the drink cold; the IBA method stirs it until the cup frosts.
Was a Mint Julep always made with bourbon?
No. Early juleps used rum, brandy or whiskey; by 1900 the base was usually whiskey, and later bourbon.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🧑🤝🧑 Americans — The people of the United States in North America, descendants of settlers and Native peoples; their home-grown cheese is California's Monterey Jack.
- 🥃 Kentucky Bourbon — Bourbon distilled in the US state of Kentucky: TTB rules allow the state name on the label; according to the distillers’ association, about 95% of the world’s bourbon is made there, though independent publications question the figure.
- 🥃 Monkey Gland — Classic gin cocktail with orange juice, grenadine and a spoon of absinthe; credited to Harry MacElhone of Harry's New York Bar in Paris and listed by the IBA among The Unforgettables.
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
Similar
🥃 Old Fashioned · 🥃 Paper Plane · 🥃 Boulevardier · 🥃 Eggnog · 🥃 Mai Tai · 🥃 Last Word
Sources
- IBA — International Bartenders Association: Mint Julep (Contemporary Classics; 60 ml bourbon, 4 mint sprigs, 1 tsp powdered sugar, 2 tsp water; julep cup, cracked ice, stir until the cup frosts)
- Difford's Guide: Mint Julep cocktail recipe and history — name from a Persian word for rosewater-scented syrup, Milton's 1634 masque as a first mention, 1803 reference by John Davis, whiskey the usual base by 1900, Kentucky Derby drink in 1938
- Difford's Guide: On this day, 30 May — Mint Julep Day
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)