How To Make A Mint Julep

The Mint Julep has been the traditional beverage of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby for nearly a century. These cocktails are crisp and cool, perfect for a springtime gathering.

• 2 cups water
• 2 cups white sugar
• 1/2 cup roughly chopped fresh mint leaves
• 32 fluid ounces Kentucky bourbon, like Jim Beam
• 8 sprigs fresh mint leaves for garnish

To make this famous cocktail, combine water, sugar and chopped mint leaves in a small saucepan. Gently boil over high heat until the sugar is completely dissolved, a minute or two.

Cool and place in refrigerator overnight to allow the leaves to infuse the syrup with their flavor. When ready to serve, pour syrup through a strainer to remove leaves.

Fill eight cups or frozen goblets with crushed ice and pour 4 ounces of bourbon and 1/4 cup mint syrup in each. Adjust syrup for sweetness. Top each cup with a mint sprig and enjoy.

Note: Rather than having to mix individual cocktails, I poured ingredients into a pitcher and kept it in my bar fridge until ready to serve then poured over ice and served in my Grandma's highball glasses.

The tray that my Grandma gave me with the glasses has a green leather top and copper sides. The Mint Juleps were absolutely beautiful in these glasses!

Find more theme party cocktails here.

Watch My Friends Try One For The First Time