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I love making this easy frozen mint julep when winter starts to give way to the spring or during the summer months. It’s light, delicious, sweet and a really popular cocktail with bourbon and mint simple syrup. This is mint julep slushie is also a version of a classic Kentucky derby day drink.
Mint simple syrup and bourbon are served over ice and garnished with fresh mint to make the iconic mint julep slushie. An easy frozen mint julep is like a Southern take on mojito, using bourbon in place of the rum.
Also try lemon lavender vodka, iced lavender matcha latte, New Orleans brandy milk punch, or spiced pineapple hot buttered rum toddy.
Ingredients for this Cocktail with Bourbon
An easy frozen mint julep is prepared in two stages. First of all you will make the mint simple syrup. After that you will add the rest of the ingredients to make this classic Kentucky derby day drink.
White sugar, water and fresh mint make up the mint syrup and then you will combine some of that with bourbon and ice for the mint julep slushie. Use any brand of bourbon you happen to like.
As for the mint, you can use spearmint (a popular choice in the South) or just regular mint. But you do have to use fresh mint. You can’t sub mint essence or anything like that. Fresh mint is what makes this classic cocktail so good!
How to Make a Mint Julep Slushie
Put the sugar, water and fresh mint in a pan and cook for about five minutes or until the sugar dissolves. Strain the mixture into a jar and let it completely cool. This is basically the process to make any flavoured simple syrup. You just mix sugar and water and then add in whatever flavourings you want.
Once you’ve tried this you might want to experiment with other kinds of syrup. Try this lavender simple syrup – it’s great in vodka martini but also a surprisingly taste addition to latte!
Once the mint simple syrup is cool you can proceed with the recipe. Put some of the syrup in a blender with the ice and bourbon and process until you have a slushy texture. All that’s left to do is decorate the easy frozen mint julep with a fresh mint sprig and enjoy!
More Uses for Homemade Simply Syrup
You will see the recipe only calls for half the mint syrup but it does keep in the refrigerator for up to a week. This syrup can be used to sweetened iced coffee, lemonade or iced tea. Add a splash to Jell-O or sorbet or drizzle some over a fruit salad. Another idea of course is to make another batch of easy frozen mint julep!
The Classic Kentucky Derby Day Drink
Mint juleps are the official drink of the Kentucky Derby and have been since back in 1938. They are still really popular and most come in a specially designed collectible glass.
Churchill Downs has sold extra-premium, custom juleps for $1000 each which come in gold-plated goblets with a silver straw and are made with Woodford Reserve bourbon, spring water ice from the Bavarian Alps, fresh mint imported from Ireland, and Australian sugar.
So while that sounds pretty good, $1000 is a lot for a cocktail, which is another reason I recommend you make this easy frozen mint julep instead!
Mint Julep FAQs
A julep, typically a mint julep, is a bourbon-based cocktail associated with the Southern United States. It’s the classic Kentucky derby day drink. This cocktail with bourbon, sugar, water, fresh mint, and ice is especially popular during the warmer months because it’s cold and refreshing.
This cocktail with bourbon was traditionally served in pewter or silver cups which were help by the top and bottom edges so frost could form on the glass. Usually a highball glass, Collins glass or old-fashioned glass is used for the drink today but you could probably find some antique glasses if you want to enjoy an authentic julep experience! For a modern twist on the metal glasses, these stainless steel mint julep cups are great and the metal helps the drink to stay perfectly cold.
Easy Frozen Mint Julep Slushie Recipe
Easy Frozen Mint Julep Slushie
Ingredients
For the mint simple syrup:
- ¾ Cup granulated sugar
- ¾ Cup water
- ½ Cup mint, fresh
For the frozen mint julep:
- ¾ Cup mint simple syrup, above
- ¾ Cup bourbon
- 5 Cups ice
- 1 Sprig Mint, optional garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the mint simple syrup. In a small pot over medium heat combine the sugar, water and fresh mint. Cook until the sugar is dissolved, around 5 minutes. Remove from heat and strain into a jar. Let it cool down completely.
- Prepare the frozen mint julep. Add the mint syrup, bourbon and ice to the glass of a blender. Process until smooth.
- Pour into glasses and garnish with mint sprigs.
Notes
- You can refrigerate the syrup for up to a week so you can double or triple the batch to have enough on hand for a second round of cocktails.
- This is a super refreshing drink that’s perfect for Summer!
Nutrition
I just know you’re going to love this easy frozen mint julep. It’s a deliciously refreshing cocktail with bourbon and mint julep slushie cocktails are simple to put together. No wonder this is the beloved classic Kentucky derby day drink!
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Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
this looks so refreshing. yum!