National Mint Julep Day: Unveiling the recipe of the Kentucky Derby’s iconic official drink
The 2025 Kentucky Derby is now history, but the race’s official drink remains the true champion of the event — and you can enjoy it all year round.
National Mint Julep Day is celebrated every year on May 30 in the United States, honoring one of the South’s most iconic cocktails: the mint julep.
The official drink of the Kentucky Derby since 1939, the mint julep is a cocktail typically associated with the American South - and is particularly popular in the Bluegrass State. It is traditionally made with bourbon, sugar, water, and fresh mint. The cocktail is often served over crushed ice in a silver or pewter cup.
How do you make a mint julep?
Mint julep: the recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Kentucky bourbon
- 1 oz. simple syrup
- 2-3 sprigs of fresh mint
- Crushed ice
- Mint sprig for garnish
Instructions:
- Mix the mint leaves with simple syrup in a julep cup or rocks glass.
- Fill the cup with crushed ice.
- Pour the bourbon over the ice and stir until the cup is frosty.
- Garnish with a mint sprig.
To make the simple syrup, combine sugar and water in a saucepan and heat until the sugar is completely dissolved. Let the syrup cool before using.
Note: The official Kentucky Derby mint julep recipe includes a sprig of fresh mint for garnish and a silver cup. However, if you don’t have a silver cup, you can use any julep cup or rocks glass instead.
What are the origins of the mint julep?
The word “julep” has been historically associated with sweet and refreshing beverages that were once used for medicinal purposes. Its origins can be traced back to the Spanish Arabic term “julepe,” which in turn is derived from the Persian word “Golâb,” meaning rosewater.
English juleps were typically lightly alcoholic and medicinal, often containing camphor. It wasn’t until the 18th century, in the southern United States, that the mint julep came into existence.
Historical evidence of the mint julep’s early origins can be found in literary works, such as a satirical play by Robert Munford in 1770, where a drunken character named “Mr. Julip” appears. A poem published in the Williamsburg Virginia Gazette in the same year describes the drink as a concoction which “doctors storm at, and which some adore.” Additionally, the 1784 publication Medical Communications prescribes the mint julep to a patient suffering from nausea, retching, and difficulty swallowing.
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