This is how I turn a classic mint julep into a frozen, icy treat. Here’s what I use and how I do it, plus a few notes that I think are worth mentioning.
I grab a blender to crush the ice and mix everything together.
A muddler is handy for pressing the mint—you really want that flavor to come out.
A big spoon helps with mixing before blending, honestly.
I also use a measuring cup or jigger to keep the amounts right.
Metal julep cups or tough glasses work best for serving since they keep things nice and cold.
For garnish, a straw is a must, and sometimes a long spoon just for fun.
Ingredients
I keep it simple and fresh. My go-to list:
2cupsof ice
2ouncesbourbon
1/4ouncesimple syrup
6-8fresh mint leavesplus a little extra for garnish
Instructions
First, I toss the mint leaves and simple syrup into the blender. Sometimes I blend it for a few seconds,
I’ll just muddle the leaves a bit before moving on.
Next up, I pour in the bourbon and dump in the ice.
I blend until the ice is crushed and the drink is thick but still pourable.
If it turns out too thin, I just add more ice and blend again.
After blending, I pour the slushie into a chilled julep cup or glass.
I’ll use a spoon to pile the slush up a bit on top.
Then I add a fresh mint sprig and pop in a straw.
Notes
If I’m not in the mood to use a blender, I’ll crush the ice in a bag with a rolling pin and mix the drink by hand. Smaller ice chunks really make the texture better, in my opinion.Super cold glasses help keep the drink icy for longer. I try to avoid over-blending, since that just turns the slush watery—nobody wants that.Fresh mint is non-negotiable for me; dried just doesn’t cut it. I tweak the sweetness depending on my mood, sometimes adding more or less syrup.This slushie’s best right after making it. If it starts to melt, I’ll give it a quick stir or add a bit more ice.