Kentucky Derby Mint Julep (Print Version)

A cool blend of mint syrup, lemon juice, and sparkling water for a refreshing Southern-style drink.

# What You’ll 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

# How to Make It:

01 - In a small saucepan, combine water and sugar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat, add fresh mint leaves, and steep for 5 minutes. Strain through fine mesh and allow to cool to room temperature.
02 - Fill two julep cups or drinking glasses with 1/2 cup crushed ice each, packing firmly to ensure proper chilling.
03 - Pour 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice and 1 tablespoon cooled mint syrup directly over the crushed ice in each glass.
04 - Add 1/2 cup cold sparkling water or club soda to each glass. Stir gently with a bar spoon using a rolling motion to combine all ingredients without breaking the ice.
05 - Top each drink generously with fresh mint sprigs, ensuring sprigs are visible above the glass rim. Serve immediately with a drinking straw.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • The homemade mint syrup is where the magic happens—it tastes nothing like those bottled syrups gathering dust in your pantry.
  • This mocktail feels fancy enough for a Derby party but simple enough that you won't stress when guests ask for seconds.
  • Fresh mint transforms from a garnish into the whole personality of the drink, turning something refreshing into something memorable.
02 -
  • If you steep the mint longer than five minutes, it can turn bitter, which I learned the hard way when I got distracted and made a whole pitcher that tasted like grass clippings.
  • Making the syrup ahead of time is a game-changer—cool it completely before assembling drinks, otherwise your ice melts in seconds and you're left with something watery and sad.
03 -
  • The difference between good crushed ice and bad crushed ice is the difference between a drink that stays cold for ten minutes and one that stays cold for twenty, so invest in an ice crusher if you're making these regularly.
  • Chill your glasses in the freezer for five minutes before pouring—it sounds fussy, but it keeps the drink cold longer and shows you actually care about the experience.
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