Kentucky Derby Mint Julep (Printer-Friendly)

A refreshing Southern-style mint and lemon beverage, ideal for hot days and celebrations.

# What You 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 Cook:

01 - In a small saucepan, combine water and sugar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, add mint leaves, and steep for 5 minutes. Strain and let cool completely.
02 - Fill two julep cups or glasses with crushed ice.
03 - Pour 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of mint syrup over the ice in each glass.
04 - Top each glass with 1/2 cup of sparkling water or club soda. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
05 - Garnish generously with fresh mint sprigs. Serve immediately with a straw.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like a fancy cocktail bar creation, but you're actually in complete control of the sweetness and strength of flavor.
  • The mint syrup is a game-changer that you'll find yourself making for other drinks and desserts long after this one disappears.
  • It's ready in 10 minutes, which means you can impress guests without stress or serve yourself something special without planning ahead.
02 -
  • Oversteeping the mint even by a minute or two transforms it from fresh and bright into something vegetal and almost unpleasant, so set a timer if you're easily distracted.
  • Crushed ice is not the same as cubed ice, and the difference matters tremendously—the smaller surface area keeps your drink from becoming diluted too quickly.
03 -
  • Always taste your syrup after it cools—this gives you control over adjusting sweetness before it goes into actual drinks, saving you from having to remake everything if it's not quite right.
  • Chill your glasses in the freezer for 10 minutes before filling them, because that extra coldness keeps your drink refreshing from the first sip to the last.
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