Brian Smith did not set out to create a signature drink. He first started making mint juleps for friends and family while watching the Kentucky Derby together. It was never meant to be a “special occasion” thing. After that first year, people began asking for it whenever they had a get-together. Backyard barbecues, afternoon drop-ins, casual evenings that stretched longer than planned.
The mint julep is cold, clean, and easy to sip while conversations wander and food comes on and off the grill. You can make it without stepping away from the people you are with, which is often the whole point of getting together.
Brian keeps it straightforward. He makes a simple mint syrup ahead of time, keeps fresh mint nearby, and reaches for a bourbon he likes. When friends arrive, the rest comes together quickly. There is no special equipment needed.
Brian's Easy Mint Julep You Can Make at Home
This recipe makes one mint julep and enough mint syrup for about 12 more drinks.
What You Will Need
For the mint syrup:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
About 10 fresh mint sprigs
For the drink
5 fresh mint leaves, plus one sprig for garnish
2½ ounces bourbon
Crushed ice
When it comes to bourbon, Brian tends to lean toward Buffalo Trace, but he always recommends using whatever bourbon you already enjoy.
Step by Step
Step 1. Make the mint syrup
Put the sugar and water into a small saucepan. Heat it over medium heat, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves. You do not need to boil it. Just warm it enough so the sugar melts into the water.
Brian is quick to say that if you do not love very sweet drinks, you may want to cut back on the sugar a bit. Around here, Southerners tend to like things sweeter, so he suggests adjusting it to suit your taste.
Take the pan off the heat and add the mint sprigs. Use a spoon to gently push the mint down so it sits in the syrup. Let the mixture cool on the counter.
Once it has cooled, remove and discard the mint. Pour the syrup into a jar or container and place it in the refrigerator for at least one hour. This makes about 1½ cups of syrup, enough for roughly 12 mint juleps. Having it ready in the fridge makes it easy to mix a drink whenever people stop by.
Step 2. Make the drink
Add the mint leaves to a small glass or julep cup. Pour in 1 ounce of the chilled mint syrup. Gently press the mint with the back of a spoon just until you smell the mint. You are not trying to mash it.
Add the bourbon and give it a quick stir.
Step 3. Add ice and serve
Fill the glass with crushed ice. Add a fresh mint sprig on top and serve right away. If you like a little citrus, feel free to add a thin lemon slice or twist along with the mint garnish.
WHy Everyone loves the Mint Julep
What people tend to notice first is how easy this mint julep is to drink. It is refreshing without being overly sweet, with the mint coming through cleanly and the bourbon adding just enough warmth. It is the kind of drink you can sip slowly and still want another.
It is also easy to make, which matters more than it sounds. Once the mint syrup is ready, the rest takes only a minute or two. You can make one, pass it along, and get right back to whatever is going on.
The extra mint syrup is useful beyond this one drink. It keeps well in the refrigerator and works just as nicely stirred into iced tea or sparkling water, which makes it practical to have on hand.
If you enjoy having a few reliable drinks like this ready for company, the ZestYears Sip and Savor section is a great place to find more easy, crowd friendly cocktail ideas for get togethers of all kinds.
Meet the Contributor
Brian Smith lives in the Lowcountry, just outside Charleston, South Carolina, with his wife Kathy. They have three grown children and five grandchildren. Brian enjoys fishing and a good game of Scrabble, and he gravitates toward recipes that are easy to make and easy to share. This mint julep is one he makes often, simply because people keep asking for it.
