Yields: 1 serving
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
- 8-10 large fresh mint leaves + 1 sprig for garnish
- 1 lemon wedge
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup (adjust to your sweetness preference)
- 2 ounces bourbon (Maker’s Mark, Bulleit, or your favorite)
- Crushed ice
- Ginger Ale (to top off, Fever Tree is a good option)
Equipment:
- Cocktail shaker or mason jar
- Muddler or the back of a wooden spoon
- Julep cup (optional) or rocks glass
Instructions
- Muddle: In your cocktail shaker or mason jar, gently muddle the mint leaves, lemon wedge, and simple syrup. Muddle just enough to release the flavors, don’t pulverize the mint.
- Add Bourbon & Ice: Add the bourbon and a generous amount of crushed ice.
- Shake Vigorously: Shake the mixture vigorously until the outside of the shaker or jar is frosty and beaded with condensation.
- Fill Glass: Fill your julep cup (or rocks glass) completely with crushed ice.
- Strain: Strain the cocktail into the ice-filled glass.
- Top & Garnish: Top up with a splash of ginger ale and garnish with a beautiful sprig of fresh mint.
Tips:
- Sweetness: Adjust the amount of simple syrup to achieve your desired level of sweetness.
- Make-Ahead Simple Syrup: For a batch of cocktails, prepare simple syrup by combining equal parts boiling water and sugar. Let it cool completely before using.
- No Muddler?: If you don’t have a muddler, use the back of a sturdy wooden spoon to gently release the flavors of the mint and lemon.
- Ice Matters: Crushed ice is essential for a classic Julep experience.
Enjoy your refreshing and flavorful Lemon-Ginger Mint Julep!
