Gin Julep

gin julep cocktails
Photo: Sidney Bensimon
Prep Time:
5 mins
Total Time:
5 mins
Yield:
1 drink

Most mint juleps nowadays are made with bourbon, but gin was just as popular a base in the 19th century. Our throwback recipe will be just as crowd-pleasing at your Kentucky Derby party.

Ingredients

  • 12 fresh mint leaves, plus sprig for garnish

  • 1 ½ teaspoons superfine sugar

  • 2 ounces gin

  • Crushed ice

  • Seltzer

Directions

  1. In the bottom of a julep cup, muddle mint with sugar until mint starts to break down. Add gin; stir until sugar dissolves. Add ice to fill cup three-quarters of the way; top with seltzer. Stir, top with more ice, and garnish with mint sprig. Serve immediately.

Cook's Notes

  • Using a barrel-aged gin helps provide the roundness you'd normally get from bourbon. We like Copper & Kings L'Inspecteur, from Kentucky.
  • To make large batches of crushed ice, pulse ice cubes in a food processor until pea-size or smaller.
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