Classic Mint Julep Recipe: 3 Tips to Make the Best Bourbon Mint Julep

A mint julep is a classic bourbon cocktail brightened with fresh mint and simple syrup. They’re traditionally served in a pewter or silver cup (often called a julep cup), which is meant to be held by the rim to allow the cup to frost over. If you’re making mint juleps at home and don’t have julep cups on hand, feel free to serve them in a highball glass, double old-fashioned glass, rocks glass, or collins glass instead.

1. 1. Use high-quality bourbon. Since bourbon is the only liquid in a mint julep, the cocktail’s flavor will strongly depend on the type of bourbon you use. Kentucky bourbon whiskeys are great choices—and will score you extra points if you’re at a Derby party—but any type of bourbon whiskey will do.
2. 2. Make the simple syrup ahead of time. This drink should be served ice-cold, so you don’t want to add your simple syrup while it’s still warm from the saucepan. Try to make the syrup in advance, so that you have some in the fridge when you need it. Learn how to make simple syrup with our recipe here.
3. 3. Use crushed ice. Crushed ice has the most surface area, so it will frost the outside of the glass the quickest. For a traditional mint julep, crushed—rather than cubed or shaved—will give you the best results.