Gentle muddle, build, churn, and top
Mojito
Fresh mint, lime, rum, and a tall sparkling finish.
Press mint lightly, pack with crushed ice, and churn
Mint Julep
A Kentucky classic that rewards gentle mint handling and a short churn until the glass turns frosty.
Verified by CocktailSteps Editorial Team
- Time
- 5 minutes
- Level
- Intermediate
- Glass
- Rocks glass
- Approx. ABV
- 22% · Medium-high
Measured for the room
Ingredients
2 ozBourbonRecommended brandWild Turkey 101
0.33 ozSimple syrupRecommended brandMonin Pure Cane Syrup
8 leavesMint leavesRecommended brandNorth Shore Living Mint
1 sprigMint sprigOptionalRecommended brandNorth Shore Living Mint
Amounts scale from the verified one-glass recipe. Technique and timing stay unchanged.
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Bourbon
Measured method
How to make Mint Julep
- 01
Wake the mint
8 mint leaves · ⅓ oz syrup · 3 presses
Gently press 8 mint leaves with ⅓ oz simple syrup 3 times; bruise the mint without shredding it.
Wake the mint visual check - 02
Pack with crushed ice
Crushed ice · fill halfway
Pack the glass halfway with crushed ice, leaving room for the bourbon and churn.
Pack with crushed ice visual check - 03
Add the bourbon
2 oz bourbon
Pour 2 oz bourbon slowly over the packed crushed ice.
Add the bourbon visual check - 04
Churn until frosty
Churn · 12 sec
Churn from the bottom for 12 seconds until the glass turns frosty.
Churn until frosty visual check - 05
Crown with crushed ice
Crushed ice · mound above rim
Add fresh crushed ice until it forms a compact mound just above the rim.
Crown with crushed ice visual check - 06
Crown with mint
1 mint sprig
Tuck 1 fresh mint sprig securely into the crushed-ice crown beside the rim.
Crown with mint visual check
Key move
Stop stirring only when the glass is very cold and the mint remains intact
Set the station
Tools
JiggerRecommended brandCocktail Kingdom Japanese Style Jigger
MuddlerRecommended brandCocktail Kingdom Bad Ass Muddler
Bar spoonRecommended brandCocktail Kingdom Teardrop Barspoon
Rocks glassRecommended brandRIEDEL Drink Specific Rocks Glass
Know the pour
Medium-high
Bourbon remains prominent while crushed ice supplies the drink's dilution.
Contains alcohol. Serve only to adults of legal drinking age and enjoy responsibly.
