Kentucky Derby Mint Julep (Printable)

A refreshing Southern drink featuring fresh mint, lemon juice, and sparkling water for a cool, vibrant flavor.

# 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 Make:

01 - Combine water and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until 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 1 cup crushed ice, distributing evenly.
03 - Pour 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of mint syrup over the ice in each glass.
04 - Add 1/2 cup of sparkling water or club soda to each glass. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
05 - Garnish generously with fresh mint sprigs. Serve immediately with a straw.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes fancy enough to serve at actual parties, but you can make it in your kitchen without any special bartending skills.
  • The fresh mint syrup sits in your fridge for days, so you can whip up another round whenever the mood strikes.
  • Everyone from kids to grandparents can enjoy it without a second thought, making it the rare drink that truly works for every guest.
02 -
  • Steeping the mint for too long will make it taste herbal and slightly astringent, so set a timer and don't get distracted—five minutes is perfect, ten is too much.
  • The difference between a good mint julep mocktail and a great one is often just the quality of your mint, so if you can grow it yourself or find it at a farmers market where it's been picked that morning, you'll taste the improvement immediately.
03 -
  • Make a double batch of mint syrup and keep it in the fridge for up to a week—it's a gift to your future self on a hot day when you want this drink in five minutes flat.
  • If your mint is looking a little tired or dusty, give it a quick soak in cool water for a minute and it'll perk right up and taste fresher, which sounds like a small thing but truly affects how alive the final drink tastes.
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