IBA
Mint Julep – IBA
Muddle; Stir ∙ 3 min ∙ 27.4% ABV ∙
A Mint Julep is a stirred bourbon cocktail of muddled mint and sugar built over cracked ice, best known as the Kentucky Derby's signature drink. Cracked ice keeps it icy-cold and diluted just enough that the bourbon's warmth and bruised mint aroma carry through to a clean, refreshing finish.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- In julep stainless steel cup gently muddle the Fresh mint leaves 10 pcs and Powdered sugar 1 bsp and Chilled water 10 ml
- Fill the glass with cracked ice, add the Bourbon 60 ml
- Stir well until the cup frosts
- Garnish with a mint sprig
Tips
- Muddle the mint leaves gently with the sugar and water — just enough to release oil, since crushing turns the flavor grassy and bitter.
- Pack the cup fully with cracked ice, not cubes; cracked ice chills faster and packs tighter for the frost the build needs.
- Stir until the outside of the cup actually frosts over rather than stirring for a fixed count — that frost signals the right dilution.
- Pre-chill the julep cup or glass before building so the ice doesn't start melting the moment it goes in.
History
The "Mint Julep – IBA" is the International Bartenders Association's official specification for the classic Mint Julep, listed among its Contemporary Classics, standardizing the bourbon, sugar, water, and fresh mint build served in a julep cup or tumbler rather than documenting a separate creation of its own.
The parent drink, the Mint Julep, has a much older lineage: an early description from 1793 called it a sweetened tumbler of rum and water with a sprig of mint, and a 1803 account by an English visitor to Virginia described spirits steeped with mint taken as a morning dram. Originally made with rum or brandy, it became rooted in Kentucky as bourbon production grew and the local spirit replaced imported liquors, and the drink later became closely associated with the American South and, in particular, the Kentucky Derby. The IBA version simply codifies this long-standing bourbon-based recipe under its official guidelines, without altering the drink's defining character.
FAQ
How do you make a Mint Julep?
Gently muddle fresh mint leaves with powdered sugar and a splash of chilled water in a julep cup, then pack the cup with cracked ice and pour in the bourbon. Stir well until the cup frosts on the outside, then garnish with a fresh mint sprig. The gentle muddle and full ice pack are what give the drink its signature icy, aromatic character.
What is an IBA cocktail?
An IBA cocktail is one of the official drinks on the International Bartenders Association's list of recognized recipes, used as a global reference standard for bartenders. The Mint Julep is included among IBA's "Unforgettables," a category of enduring classic cocktails.
What is the $5,000 drink at the Derby?
The $5,000 drink at the Kentucky Derby is a specialty version of the Mint Julep that Churchill Downs has served since 2019, made with rare, expensive aged bourbon and presented in a gold-plated cup, with proceeds going to charity. It is a promotional variant of the standard Mint Julep served throughout the Derby.
What alcohol is best for a Mint Julep?
Bourbon is the alcohol used in a Mint Julep, and it is the defining spirit of the drink. A straight bourbon with some sweetness and oak character works well, since it has to stand up to the mint and sugar without getting lost once the ice dilutes it.
What are common mistakes when making a Mint Julep?
The most common mistake is muddling the mint too hard, which crushes the leaves and releases bitter, grassy compounds instead of just their aromatic oils. Other frequent errors include using cubed ice instead of cracked ice, which chills less effectively, and under-stirring so the cup never frosts and the drink stays under-diluted and too strong.
