Kentucky Derby Mint Julep (Print Version)

A refreshing mint-infused cold drink with lemon and sparkling water, perfect for warm weather enjoyment.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 - Combine water and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat, add mint leaves, and steep for 5 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh and allow to cool to room temperature.
02 - Fill two julep cups or highball glasses with 1/2 cup crushed ice each.
03 - Pour 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice and 1 tablespoon cooled mint syrup over the ice in each glass.
04 - Top each glass with 1/2 cup sparkling water or club soda. Stir gently with a bar spoon to integrate ingredients without diluting excessively.
05 - Garnish each glass generously with fresh mint sprigs. Serve immediately with a cocktail straw.

# Helpful Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes like summer in a glass without any of the regret the next morning.
  • The mint syrup keeps for days, so you can make fancy drinks whenever guests arrive unannounced.
  • Even kids and non-drinkers get to feel included in the Derby Day festivities.
02 -
  • If you over-steep the mint, it turns bitter and grassy—five minutes is the sweet spot, and I learned this by accidentally letting a batch sit for twenty.
  • Making the syrup ahead transforms this from a mid-party scramble into something you can pour and serve in seconds, which is why I now make a double batch every time I know guests are coming.
03 -
  • Freeze mint leaves into ice cubes with a tiny bit of water, then use those in your drink for extra mint flavor that melts gradually instead of diluting the drink.
  • If you're making these for a crowd, prep the mint syrup and have all ingredients measured and chilled in advance so assembly becomes a one-minute operation per glass.
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