The Best Mint Julep Recipe for Derby Day, Summer Parties & Bourbon Lovers
In 1938, the Mint Julep was declared the official drink of the Kentucky Derby — which is a very fancy way of saying people have been finding socially acceptable reasons to drink bourbon over crushed ice for nearly a century.
Whether you’re hosting a Kentucky Derby party, lounging by the pool, or simply trying to survive summer with grace and a cocktail in hand, the Mint Julep is a classic bourbon cocktail that never goes out of style. It’s refreshing, minty, lightly sweet, and dangerously easy to sip.
The secret to making the best Mint Julep is using a bourbon with enough character to hold its own against the mint, sugar, and ice. That’s where Two Bitch™ Bourbon comes in. Our Small Batch With Bite™ and Eureka Gold™ Straight Bourbon Whiskey are bold, smooth, high-proof bourbons that stand up beautifully in cocktails without getting lost in the glass.
Translation: this is not a weak little porch drink. This is a proper Mint Julep.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Two Bitch™ Bourbon
- ½ oz to 1 oz simple syrup, depending on how sweet you like it
- 4 fresh mint leaves
- Crushed or shaved ice
- Fresh mint sprig for garnish
Simple Syrup
To make simple syrup, combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and allow to cool before using.
Yes, you can buy simple syrup. But this takes about five minutes, and pretending you’re a cocktail wizard is half the fun.
How to Make the Best Mint Julep
Place approximately 4 fresh mint leaves in the bottom of a stainless steel Mint Julep cup or rocks glass.
Gently muddle the mint to release its essential oils. Do not pulverize it like it owes you money. Over-muddling can make the mint bitter, and nobody invited bitterness to Derby Day.
Fill the cup with good crushed or shaved ice.
Pour in 2 oz of Two Bitch™ Bourbon and ½ oz to 1 oz of simple syrup.
Stir until the outside of the cup becomes frosty and gorgeous.
Top with a fresh sprig of mint, take a moment to admire your work, and enjoy those sweet minty bourbon aromas.
Then sip like you have excellent taste — because clearly, you do.
Best Bourbon for a Mint Julep
A Mint Julep needs a bourbon that can handle the chill, sweetness, and bright fresh mint. Lower-proof bourbons can disappear under all that crushed ice, but Small Batch With Bite™ and Eureka Gold™ bring the warmth, structure, and smooth bourbon flavor this cocktail deserves.
For a richer, bolder Mint Julep, use Small Batch With Bite™.
For a golden, smooth, crowd-pleasing version, use Eureka Gold™.
Either way, your Derby party just got considerably more interesting.
Perfect For
Kentucky Derby parties, summer pool days, backyard barbecues, porch sipping, Mother’s Day brunch, Father’s Day cocktails, or any occasion where “just water” feels like a terrible decision.
And the best part? You don’t have to go hunting through crowded liquor store aisles like a desperate Derby horse looking for the finish line. Two Bitch™ Bourbon can be delivered right to your door, so you can stock up on Small Batch With Bite™, Eureka Gold™, and everything you need to make your next Mint Julep dangerously delicious.
Order online, chill the ice, and let the bourbon come to you.
