What does a mint julep taste like?
A mint julep tastes like icy, minty bourbon: lots of whiskey with a little sugar and fresh mint over crushed ice, so it is cold, sweet, herbal and strong.
Mint julep
bourbon, mint and crushed ice
A mint julep is bourbon, sugar and fresh mint, served over a mound of crushed ice, traditionally in a frosty silver or pewter cup. There's no citrus, so it isn't tangy. It's really just bourbon made cold, sweet and fragrant: you get a nose full of mint from the big sprig on top, then caramel and vanilla from the bourbon, softened by sugar and lots of melting ice. It starts strong and gets lighter as you sip. It's the official drink of the Kentucky Derby.
Where you’ll see it
On Southern restaurant menus, bourbon bar lists and everywhere around Derby day in early May, in a metal cup with a big mint bouquet and a short straw.
Order it if you like bourbon and want it cold, minty and a little sweet.
Quick questions
- Is a mint julep strong?
- Yes. It is mostly bourbon, though the crushed ice waters it down as you drink.
- Is a mint julep sweet?
- A little. There is sugar to soften the bourbon, but no fruit or juice, so it is sweet and minty rather than sugary.