These easy Mint Julep Spritzers are our take on the classic Kentucky Derby drink. Cool and refreshing, it is the perfect cocktail for any warm afternoon or evening.

Mint Julep on a wooden tray garnished with mint


 

Mint juleps are a classic summertime cocktail. They are most famous for being the signature drink of the Kentucky Derby due to their refreshing flavor that can be drunk even on the hottest afternoons.

Our spritzers take this classic mint julep cocktail and add bubbles because everything is better with bubbles. The result? A beautiful, refreshing cocktail for entertaining or enjoying on your patio.

We love putting our own spin on classic cocktails. Make sure to try our Summer Moscato Sangria and Blood Orange Mojito!

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Mint Julep on a wooden tray

What is a Mint Julep? 

Mint julep is the signature drink of the Kentucky Derby. It was originally served in ornate glasses with imported ingredients and signature bourbon. 

And there is good reason it became so popular at the Kentucky Derby. It is a light, refreshing drink perfect for hot days out in the sun.

ingredients to make a Mint Julep

Ingredients You’ll Need

This bubbly take on this Kentucky classic needs the following ingredients.

  • Bourbon – We prefer the flavor with a good rye flavor, but any bourbon will work just fine. 
  • Simple syrup – We have instructions below on how to make.
  • Mint leaves – You’ll want fresh mint leaves that you can find at your local store.
  • Prosecco – You’ll need enough to fill your cup. We recommend using an inexpensive brand, like La Marca, and avoid overly sweet or dry versions.

For the simple syrup, you’ll need:

  • Sugar – Regular white granulated sugar is all you need.
  • Water – You can use tap or filtered water. Both work fine.
how to make a Mint Julep

Instructions

This cocktail comes together easily and quickly. Here’s what you need to do.

Step 1 – Make the simple syrup. To make the simple syrup, bring a pot with the mixed sugar and water to a boil. Allow the mixture to boil for about 2 to 3 minutes. Make sure the sugar is fully dissolved in the water.

Carefully pour the syrup out into a container and place in the fridge to cool. Once it is cold, you can use it to make the mint julep spritzer.

how to muddle a Mint Julep

Step 2 – Muddle the mint leaves. Add the bourbon, simple syrup, and mint leaves to a shaker or glass jar. Use a muddler or end of a wooden spoon to muddle them for 30 seconds or until the mint leaves have broken up.

Step 3 – Pour and serve. Strain the bourbon mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a glass filled with ice.

Finally, top the glass off with Prosecco. It should take about ¼ cup but this will vary based on the size of your glass. To garnish, add some additional fresh mint leaves.

glass of Mint Julep

Can You Make It Ahead of Time?

No, you should not make this drink ahead of time. The Prosecco will go flat. 

But you can make the simple syrup ahead of time. In fact, we recommend it so that is cold when you are ready to serve the spritzer.

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Servings: 1
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Mint Julep Spritzer

These easy Mint Julep Spritzers are our take on the classic Kentucky Derby drink. Cool and refreshing, it is the perfect cocktail for any warm afternoon or evening.
Mint Julep on a wooden tray garnished with mint
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Ingredients

Mint Julep Spritzer

  • 1 ounce Bourbon
  • ½ ounce Simple syrup
  • 8-10 Mint leaves
  • ¼ cup Prosecco, ¼ cup is an estimate use enough to fill the glass

Simple Syrup

  • 1 cup Water
  • 1 cup Sugar

Instructions

Mint Julep Spritzer

  • Add the bourbon, simple syrup, and mint leaves to a shaker (or glass jar). Muddle them with a muddler or the end of a wooden spoon for 30 seconds, or until the mint leaves have broken up.
  • Strain the bourbon mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a glass filled with ice.
  • Top the glass off with Prosecco, this takes approximately ¼ cup bu and garnish with fresh mint leaves.

Simple Syrup

  • Stir water and sugar together in a small pot and bring to a boil.
  • Let boil for 2-3 minutes and then remove from the heat and let cool.
  • Store cooled syrup in a sealed container in the refrigerator until ready to use

Nutrition

Serving: 1glass, Calories: 235kcal, Carbohydrates: 35g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 12mg, Potassium: 55mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 30g, Vitamin A: 340IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 22mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition Disclaimer: We are not certified nutritionists. Nutrition facts are an estimate and are provided as a courtesy. They are generated by an online API which recognizes ingredient names and amounts and makes calculations based on the serving size. Results may vary.
Author: Kat Jeter & Melinda Caldwell
Course: Drink
Cuisine: American
Keyword: mint julep
Handwritten signature for Kat & Melinda