Kentucky Derby Mint Julep (Printable)

A cool, minty Southern-inspired beverage with citrus and sparkling water for festive occasions.

# 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 Steps:

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.
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.
05 - Garnish generously with fresh mint sprigs. Serve immediately with a straw.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It tastes genuinely special and impressive without a single drop of alcohol, so you can serve it proudly at any gathering.
  • You'll discover that homemade mint syrup is worlds apart from bottled versions, and once you taste the difference, you'll make it for everything.
02 -
  • If you let the mint steep longer than five minutes, the syrup turns bitter and slightly metallic—I learned this by watching my first batch turn into something that tasted like grass clippings.
  • The difference between crushed ice and regular cubes is everything; crushed ice melts slower and distributes cold more evenly, keeping the drink perfectly balanced instead of watery by halfway through.
03 -
  • If you don't have julep cups, any tall glass works beautifully, but there's something ceremonial about proper julep cups that makes the whole experience feel more intentional and memorable.
  • Bruise your mint garnish sprigs between your hands right before serving—the aroma that releases is part of the sensory experience, and it signals to everyone around you that something delicious is about to happen.
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