Kentucky Derby Mint Julep (Print Version)

A refreshing Kentucky Derby drink with fresh mint syrup, lemon juice, and sparkling water for vibrant flavor.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ 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 - In a small saucepan, combine 1/4 cup water and 1/4 cup granulated sugar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat, add 1/3 cup fresh mint leaves, and steep for 5 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer and allow to cool to room temperature.
02 - Fill two julep cups or highball glasses with 1 cup of crushed ice each, packing it firmly to the rim.
03 - Pour 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of cooled mint syrup over the crushed ice in each glass.
04 - Pour 1/2 cup of cold sparkling water or club soda into each glass. Stir gently with a long spoon to combine all ingredients without crushing the ice.
05 - Garnish each glass generously with fresh mint sprigs. Insert a straw into each drink and serve immediately while thoroughly chilled.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It tastes genuinely sophisticated without the alcohol, so no one feels like they're missing out.
  • The mint syrup is your secret weapon that makes this taste homemade and intentional, not like something from a convenience store.
  • It comes together in ten minutes, making it perfect for spontaneous gatherings or when someone unexpected drops by.
02 -
  • Steep the mint for exactly five minutes, not longer, because even an extra two minutes can turn your syrup bitter and astringent instead of bright and herbaceous.
  • Make your syrup ahead of time and keep it refrigerated, because cold syrup won't melt your ice as quickly and dilute the drink.
03 -
  • If your mint isn't as fragrant as you'd hoped, add an extra teaspoon of syrup because the syrup carries the mint flavor and can compensate for less-than-perfect herbs.
  • The real secret is letting your syrup cool completely before mixing drinks, because warm syrup will melt your ice too quickly and water down the whole thing.
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