How to Make a Mint Julep

The History of the Mint Julep

The Kentucky mint julep is one of the quintessential symbols of the Kentucky Derby. The history of how it came to be the official drink of the Derby since 1938 includes some of Kentucky’s most colorful citizens and a recognition that several of the key ingredients — good Bourbon aged in charred oak barrels, shaved or crushed ice made from limestone water, and, of course, the availability of fresh mint served in silver beakers — are purely Kentucky.

Many believe the origins of the julep can be traced to the early 1400s and ancient Arabia where rose petals were used instead of mint. The sugary drink was also used as a vehicle for medicines. In America, it was embraced by Virginia as early as 1803 as a tasty pick-me-up using mint and spirits, such as rum or brandy, to be drunk in the mornings by farmers to provide them the sustenance they needed for a long day in the fields. It was the great Kentucky statesman Henry Clay who made the julep Kentucky’s own. Clay is credited with introducing Washington to the mint julep using Kentucky Bourbon where his recipe is still served today at the Round Robin Bar in the Willard Hotel.

In the small but informative book published by the University of Kentucky Press The Kentucky Mint Julep, author Colonel Joe Nickell contends that the mint is the ingredient that transformed the drink into an American libation. Colonel Nickell quotes noted Bourbon author Gerald Carson, saying: “Of all the compatibles man has discovered in the world of food and drink, none excels the harmony with which mint blends into a silver goblet filled with ice, a dusting of sugar, and several ounces of mellow Bourbon.” In Kentucky culture, the silver julep cup filled with shaved or crushed ice and a good Kentucky Bourbon aged in a charred oak barrel are essential. However, the drink can be spoiled if the wrong mint is selected.

There are over 600 varieties of mint, including orange, apple, pineapple, peppermint, and spearmint. The mint that should be used for mint juleps is one in the spearmint family, Mentha spicata. Some Kentuckians prefer the common spearmint variety, which has a milder taste than the Kentucky Colonel spearmint variety. Your guests will certainly know the difference if you substitute peppermint, for instance, because they will be wondering why their lips and mouth are tingling and why the mint overpowers the drink.

Importantly, mint wilts and begins to lose its fragrant oils quickly after it is cut. For the tastiest julep, you must use fresh cut mint. Spearmint and Kentucky Colonel mint plants are available in most local nurseries. It is easy to grow, but it is an aggressive garden plant. To keep the mint from taking over your garden, pot the mint in a container large enough for the plant to take root and expand. Then, sink the pot into the ground with a couple of inches of the rim protruding.

As Colonel Nickell writes in his book, the single greatest debate involving the mint julep is whether or not to crush the mint leaves. Some Kentuckians maintain the mint should be crushed and allowed to stand in the simple syrup before the Bourbon is added. Others oppose crushing the mint leaves, as they contain oils that can make the mixture bitter. Based on my years of experience of enjoying this special Kentucky libation, I agree with those that lightly bruise a few fresh mint leaves by pressing the leaves against the side of the silver beaker to release the oils. I also remove the bruised leaves before adding the Bourbon.

There are numerous recipes for mint juleps, but I think the recipe from Henry Clay’s diary is one of the best. I set out the recipe as it appears in Colonel Nickell’s book, which he notes is in Clay’s own words.

Henry Clay’s Mint Julep

“The mint leaves, fresh and tender, should be pressed against a coin-silver goblet with the back of a silver spoon. Only bruise the leaves gently and then remove them from the goblet. Half fill with cracked ice. Mellow Bourbon, aged in oaken barrels, is poured from the jigger and allowed to slide slowly through the cracked ice.

“In another receptacle, granulated sugar is slowly mixed into chilled limestone water to make a silvery mixture as smooth as some rare Egyptian oil, then poured on top of the ice. While beads of moisture gather on the burnished exterior of the silver goblet, garnish the brim of the goblet with the choicest sprigs of mint.” (31)

I would add that some authorities note that confectioners or superfine sugar are better choices than granulated sugar because both dissolve more easily.

Finally, there is indeed an “art” to drinking the julep. Guests are encouraged to stir the iced mixture at first to encourage frost to form on the exterior of the silver goblet. What’s more, they should hold the julep cup at the base or rim so as not to smudge or interfere with the frost that forms on the beaker. This allows them to enjoy the fragrance of the fresh mint combining with the oakened smell of Bourbon.

Ahhhh, it is spring in Kentucky!

Vickie Yates Brown Glisson
Board Member, Frazier History Museum
Guest Contributor

Mint Julep

• Mint Simple Syrup:
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 cups water
  • Sprigs of fresh mint
• Crushed ice
• Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Silver Julep Cups
• Fresh mint for garnish

Make a simple syrup by boiling sugar and water together until the sugar has dissolved. Cool and place in a covered container with six or eight sprigs of fresh mint, then refrigerate overnight. Make one Julep at a time by filling a julep cup halfway with crushed ice, adding one tablespoon of strained mint syrup and two ounces of Kentucky Bourbon. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the outside of the cup. Fill the cup with ice – packing it in tightly. "Spank" a large sprig of fresh mint between your hands to release the aromatics, then garnish your cup with it. Optional: dust with powdered sugar.

Mint Julep Bundt Cake

Mint Julep Cake

• 1 box yellow cake mix – we used Duncan Hines
• 3 eggs
• 1/3 cup of oil
• 3/4 cup of water
• 1/4 cup of bourbon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together all the ingredients. Pour into a greased & floured or non-stick bundt pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes (follow directions on your cake mix).

Chocolate Mint Glaze

• 1/2 cup of powder sugar
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 to 2 tablespoons mint infused simple syrup
• 1 tablespoon bourbon

Whisk together all ingredients until smooth. Add more powdered sugar if your glaze is too thin or more bourbon if it is too thick.