Get ready to toast the Kentucky Derby in true Southern style with my large batch classic Kentucky mint julep recipe! Whether you're sipping solo or hosting a crowd, this recipe includes both a single-serving cocktail and a large-batch pitcher that serves 12—perfect for your Derby party. Made with smooth Kentucky bourbon, fresh mint, and homemade simple syrup, this iconic cocktail is served ice-cold in a traditional copper or sterling silver julep cup, piled high with crushed ice. As the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, it's a must-have for race day celebrations!
Welcome to the Kentucky Derby Y'all!
Kentucky is known for a couple of things. Fried chicken. Baseball bats. Bourbon. And horse racing! AKA the Kentucky Derby!
It is truly a gift and so much fun to live in Louisville especially during the month of April with all the Derby festivities! And the Derby has some staple recipes that are always traditionally served - all of which this Southern Kentucky cook loves! Recipes like the Kentucky hot brown casserole or pimento cheese, the pie that shall not be specifically named because it's trademarked but also known as Kentucky Bourbon pecan and chocolate dessert bars the iconic Oaks Lily cocktail and of course the ever-famous Mint Julep...THE signature cocktail of the fastest 2 minutes in sports.
Traditionally here in the bluegrass state, if you do not attend the actual Derby itself, you are likely to attend a Derby party...complete in your finest attire and large hat! Oh man, I love it so much y'all!
So if you are hosting a Derby party this year, let me help you make the cocktail portion a little easier with the pitcher of mint juleps. Of course, you can do the single-serving cocktail, but if you are having friends over - mix all of that bourbon and mint in a pitcher and serve everyone easily! Let me show you how I like to do it for our parties!
Let's Whip Up a Batch
Single Serving Cocktail - if you're just wanting to make a mint julep for yourself or just one serving at a time, this is how you do it at home.
🧊 What's the deal with the crushed ice and mint juleps? 🧊 Traditionally, the ice is hand-crushed with a mallet and a specific canvas pouch. And while I love that, that's not necessarily easy for a large gathering. So a quicker at-home version is to use either this nugget ice (we have a small nugget ice maker at home) - or just use the crushed ice setting on your fridge door ice maker. Alternatively, you can buy bags of nugget ice at Chick-fil-A and Sonic for a very cheap price. I have done this numerous times for parties or certain drinks and it's always a big hit!
Large Batch Pitcher Style - if you're the party host, you can easily whip up a pitcher of mint juleps for everyone. This recipe serves 12 of your friends and family.
⭐️ PRO TIP ⭐️ - give the pitcher a good stir each time before you pour so that you don't pour off mainly ice water. Using a spoon can help hold back some of that ice at the beginning to avoid serving your first couple of drinks mainly ice or a watered-down version of the julep. If you have a frisky friend - give them a splash of bourbon as a topper if need be 😉
Use any Kentucky bourbon you like for this recipe. Woodford Reserve is what is served at church on Derby Day, but any bourbon you enjoy drinking can be used for this cocktail.
PrintRecipe
Large Batch Classic Kentucky Mint Julep with Bourbon
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
Description
Get ready to toast the Kentucky Derby in true Southern style with my large batch classic Kentucky mint julep recipe! Whether you're sipping solo or hosting a crowd, this recipe includes both a single-serving cocktail and a large-batch pitcher that serves 12—perfect for your Derby party. Made with smooth Kentucky bourbon, fresh mint, and homemade simple syrup, this iconic cocktail is served ice-cold in a traditional copper or sterling silver julep cup, piled high with crushed ice. As the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, it's a must-have for race day celebrations!
Ingredients
Single Serving
- 8 Fresh Mint Leaves + more for garnish
- ½ Ounce Simple Syrup (see notes)
- 2 Ounces Kentucky Bourbon
- Crushed Ice - lots!
Pitcher - Serves 12
- 1 to 1 ½ Ounces or 3-4 Bundles of Fresh Mint + more for garnish
- ¾ Cup Simple Syrup (see notes)
- 3 Cups Kentucky Bourbon
- ½ Cup Water
- 3-4 Cups Crushed Ice
Instructions
Single Serving
- Gently smack the mint leaves in your hands to release their aroma and place them in a julep cup or glass.
- Add in the simple syrup the gently muddle the fresh mint leaves.
- Pour the Kentucky bourbon. Add in a little bit of crushed ice and stir well to mix and chill the cocktail.
- Top with more crushed ice, forming a mound above the rim.
- Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and serve immediately with a straw.
Large Batch Pitcher (serves 12)
- In a large pitcher, gently muddle the fresh mint with the simple syrup to infuse the flavors.
- Add the Kentucky bourbon and water, stirring to combine.
- Fill the pitcher with 3-4 cups of crushed ice and stir until well chilled.
- To serve: give the pitcher a good stir before filling each cup. Fill julep cups or glasses with the premixed drink about ½ way full (use a large wooden spoon to help you hold back the ice). Add more crushed ice to the glass, filling it completely.
- Garnish each glass with a fresh mint sprig and enjoy!
Notes
If you want to make your own simple syrup, I highly recommend and it's super easy!
Homemade Simple Syrup
- 1 Cup Water
- 1 Cup Sugar
- In a medium-sized saucepan, add the water and sugar. Turn on medium heat.
- Bring to a low boil and let cook for 10 minutes. It will reduce down to a thick syrup over that time. Stir at the beginning to help dissolve the sugar.
- Once the time is up, remove from the heat and pour into a mason jar or airtight container (if not glass let it cool first).
- Store in the fridge and use in any drink or cocktail that needs to be sweetened.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Drinks/Cocktails
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 167
- Sugar: 7.1 g
- Sodium: 1.5 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7.2 g
- Fiber: 0.1 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
