The Gin Mint Julep—a bright and crisp take on the minty and strong Kentucky Derby classic.
“The Julep tart enough for you?”
An innocuous and polite question, posed by criminal mastermind Auric Goldfinger to secret agent James Bond as they enjoyed tall and icy glasses of the minty libation. In the 1964 movie Goldfinger, the titular villain has captured 007 and is keeping him prisoner, albeit somewhat comfortably, at his horse farm in Kentucky. While the heavy and the hero discuss the former’s plan to knock over Fort Knox, they do so cordially over a few drinks that are famously associated with that U.S. state and its popular Derby.
Whenever I hear the name “Mint Julep”, or as I sip on one, my mind goes to two places… the Kentucky Derby and the Bond film Goldfinger. Now admittedly, I know next to nothing about the Derby, but I do know a little about James Bond. The tradition of sipping Juleps at the race definitely informed the type of drinks enjoyed in the movie. I soon discovered that the connection between the cocktail and the event goes all the way back to the 1820s. First-place jockeys were often awarded sterling silver Julep cups as trophies. This brought together two industries that Kentucky was most famous for: bourbon and horse racing. In fact, Mint Juleps are traditionally enjoyed by patrons of the Derby, often while wearing really big and ornate hats.
The classic version of the Mint Julep is made with bourbon as the base spirit. The cocktail we’ll be making tonight, the Gin Mint Julep, is just as the name suggests, a gin-centric tipple. When compared to something like the crisp, fizzy and citrusy Gin & Tonic, the Gin Mint Julep is considered an even more refreshing and brighter tasting drink.
A bourbon-based Julep will bring notes of smoke and aged caramel with vanilla, depending on how the spirit was aged. With gin used in its stead, your cocktail will be drier and bear the fresh taste of botanicals like juniper, coriander and lemon peel, just to name a few.
What is the Best Gin to Use in a Gin Mint Julep?
A strong, top-shelf London Dry gin has never steered me wrong. A favorite spirit of mine, it’s one of the most flexible in terms of mixing with other ingredients. There are other styles of gins that I absolutely love and recommend, too. Gray Whale, from California, is made with coastal and marine botanicals such as fir and kombu sea kelp. This adds an extra freshness to my mixed drinks and melds seamlessly with the Julep’s mint and lime juice.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 oz gin
- 1 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 1 tsp fresh lime juice
- 6 fresh mint leaves plus extra for garnish
- Crushed ice
Instructions
- In the bottom of a julep cup or a highball glass, gently muddle the mint leaves with the simple syrup to release the mint oils.
- Add the fresh lime juice to the mint mixture and stir.
- Fill the glass with crushed ice until it’s nearly full.
- Pour the gin over the crushed ice.
- Stir the mixture lightly to combine the flavors and chill the gin.
- Garnish with additional mint leaves.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your Gin Mint Julep!
Nutrition
FAQs & Tips
For a traditional way to imbibe, enjoy your drink out of an ice-cold Julep cup. If you don’t have one, a highball glass is always a good choice, garnished with some sprigs of mint for a little extra zest.
You can mix and store this recipe in the fridge for up to a week before serving. Shake over ice before pouring and then add your garnish. I would recommend muddling the mint when you’re ready to dole these out. Storing any drink with muddled ingredients might make the flavor too strong and intense.
These taste refreshing and somewhat light, but at 284 calories a glass, the Gin Mint Julep’s numbers can add up quickly if you’re having more than one.
The traditional way to enjoy a Julep. First made around the late 1700s/early 1800s in Kentucky, some say Julep cups were manufactured from stainless steel or pewter, had a sleek and polished look, and were often coveted by the wealthy elite. They are still used today, especially at the Kentucky Derby, where the cocktail has been the event’s official beverage since 1938.
Similar Cocktails to the Gin Mint Julep
So you’ve sat back, relaxed and enjoyed the evening with a few Gin Mint Juleps. The mouthwatering minty mixture has put you in the mood for even more similar-tasting concoctions, but where do you start your search? Look no further than right here at Twist & Toast. With a plethora of delicious and easy-to-make recipes, you’re sure to find more than a few new favorites. Check out some of them here.
- Mint Julep – Don’t plan on heading to the Churchill Downs for the Derby until you’ve mastered this classic cocktail.
- Whiskey Smash – Another minty marvel, but this time the lemons get muddled.
- Gin Mojito – Dry and crisp, this version of the original recipe is extra refreshing.
- Passion Fruit Caipirinha – Muddled limes and sugar help accentuate the tropical flavors in this Brazilian treat.
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