Traditional Mint Julep Recipe for the Perfect Frost
Make the authentic Kentucky Derby official drink using the proper ritual for crushing mint and achieving the signature frost on your silver julep cup.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 5 min
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: Muddling and Stirring
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 oz quality bourbon
- 1 teaspoon simple syrup (or 1 sugar cube)
- 8–10 fresh mint leaves
- Crushed pebble ice
Instructions
- Place the mint leaves and simple syrup (or dissolved sugar cube) into a silver julep cup.
- Gently press the mint leaves with a muddler 2-3 times to release the oils. Do not shred the leaves.
- Fill the cup halfway with crushed pebble ice.
- Pour the bourbon over the ice.
- Stir briefly with a bar spoon to chill the liquid and start the frost formation on the outside of the cup.
- Top the drink with more crushed pebble ice, creating a dome shape above the rim.
- Insert a short straw so it sits near the bottom of the cup.
- Garnish with a large, healthy sprig of mint placed near the straw.
- Smack the mint sprig against your hand before inserting to release its aroma.
- Serve immediately while the cup develops its proper frost.
Notes
- Use only crushed pebble ice; large cubes will not create the necessary frost or texture for this traditional southern cocktail.
- The silver julep cup aesthetic is key; the metal draws the cold quickly, creating the desired exterior frost.
- Smacking the mint is not optional; it releases the essential oils that define the flavor profile.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drink
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 1
- Fat: 0
- Saturated Fat: 0
- Unsaturated Fat: 0
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 0
- Cholesterol: 0
Find it online: https://onedishuniverse.com/mint-julep-frost-ritual-silver-cup/