Muddled Bluegrass Mint Julep
A cool and invigorating mint julep with fresh mint and a hint of sweetness, embodying the spirit of Kentucky’s Bluegrass region. This recipe, ready in about 7 minutes, brings together bourbon, fresh mint leaves, simple syrup (2:1 sugar to water) for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 190 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 10 fresh mint leaves
- 1 oz simple syrup (2:1 sugar to water)
- as needed crushed ice
- 1 mint sprig
- for dusting powdered sugar
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a julep cup or rocks glass, place 10 fresh mint leaves and 1 oz simple syrup.
- Step 2: Gently muddle the mint leaves with the syrup to release the oils, avoiding tearing the leaves.
- Step 3: Fill the glass halfway with crushed ice, then pour 2 oz bourbon over the ice.
- Step 4: Stir gently for 20 seconds to combine the flavors and chill the drink.
- Step 5: Fill the glass to the top with more crushed ice, mounding slightly above the rim.
- Step 6: Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and lightly dust with powdered sugar for a frosted appearance.






