Mint Julep Margarita Recipe for the Kentucky Derby

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This Mint Julep Margarita recipe has the minty freshness of a classic mint julep but with a zesty margarita twist! Shake one up for this year’s Kentucky Derby or any summer party. If I had to bet, I’d bet that you’ll love this Southern-inspired mashup of two great cocktails.

A Mint Julep Margarita in a silver mint Julep cup on a terracotta plate with mint and lime garnish. — Let’s make this Mint Julep Margarita recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Kentucky Derby Margarita

This Mint Julep Margarita comes together in less than five minutes and is extra refreshing thanks to the extra serving of crushed ice.

Mint juleps are synonymous with the Kentucky Derby since they tie together horse racing and bourbon. But as margarita lovers, we knew we just HAD to turn this drink into a margarita.

Adding bourbon and mint leaves to the classic margarita recipe changes the whole game. Fresh mint always packs a flavor punch, and it pairs really well with the tequila (one that’s aged, so it’s a perfect match for the bourbon) and citrus.

The Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo are celebrated during the first weekend of May. With both events (some call it Cinco de Derby) just a day apart, there’s no reason not to try this mint julep margarita recipe.

With hot summer days approaching, this drink is an excellent way to cool down. We served this Kentucky Derby margarita in a traditional mint julep cup, but it would be just as delicious in a margarita glass with a salted rim.

NOTE: A typical mint julep is made by mixing bourbon, mint, sugar, and water (or simple syrup) served over ice in a mint julep silver cup.

Ingredients

We used the San Diego Distillery Straight Bourbon Whiskey, but you can use whatever brand you have on hand. I linked to Bulleit in the ingredient list, which is one I often have on my home bar.

Starting with our classic margarita base, we swapped out the traditional blanco tequila that we love for an añejo, which pairs perfectly with the bourbon as they have similar flavor profiles. We used Corralejo Extra Añejo Tequila to make this cocktail, which is made from 100% Blue Weber agave and had been aged for a year in oak barrels.

Cointreau is the orange liqueur we used to make this mint margarita, our go-to for making margs. We could have used the Bols Amsterdam orange liqueur, which is sweeter on its own, to sweeten it up a little bit more (Suzy’s preference).

As always, use fresh lime juice along with fresh mint leaves to get the best flavor. We used a lot of mint leaves for muddling, but you should save some to garnish the drink too.

Suzy added a little bit of sweetener to balance the flavors but I loved it without.

Be sure to scroll down to the printable recipe card for the complete recipe.

How to Make Mint Julep Margarita Recipe

Woman adding fresh mint to a cocktail shaker.

Muddling lime and mint leaves together in a cocktail shaker.

Step 1

Add the mint and lime juice to a cocktail shaker then muddle well.

Pouring bourbon into the cocktail shaker from a jigger.

Pouring anejo tequila into a cocktail shaker from a jigger.

Step 2

Add the bourbon, tequila and Cointreau to the cocktail shaker using a jigger. Add ice and give it a good shake.

Straining the mixture over a Mint Julep cup filled with ice.

Step 3

Strain the Mint Julep Margarita over fresh ice in a mint julep cup.

Step 4

Top with more crushed ice, then garnish with lots of mint. Serve and enjoy!

A mint julep margarita in a silver julep cup next to a bottle of bourbon and tequila.

Tips

Crushed ice is fantastic for this margarita cocktail as it can help dilute and mellow the drink as it melts. You can create your own by putting ice cubes between kitchen towels, using an ice mallet or meat tenderizer to crush the ice, or running a few at a time in the blender.
To serve this drink frozen, combine all the ingredients and ice in a blender, then blend well until you have a slushy drink.
For a stronger mint flavor, add more mint leaves!

Variations to Try

SWEETER – Use a little agave nectar or simple syrup to sweeten the drink.
FRUITIER – Muddle or add fruit slices to the julep margarita cocktail, and you’ll have a fruit-flavored mint margarita! Pineapple, strawberry, peach or blackberry will work well here.
USE MINT SIMPLE SYRUP – You can make a simple mint syrup using water, sugar, and fresh mint leaves, or buy it pre-made and add it to the cocktail shaker. This way, you won’t need to add any other sweeteners.
SERVE IT iN MARGARITA GLASSES – We served this recipe in a traditional mint julep cup, but it would be just as delicious in a margarita glass. Use whatever you have on hand!
TRY DIFFERENT INGREDIENTS – Try using silver tequila instead of anejo and/or other types of whiskey instead of bourbon. Tell us in the comment section which result you liked the best!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is mint julep the same as a mojito?

No, as they use different ingredients. Both use mint, sugar, and water, but mint julep has bourbon, while mojito has white rum and lime.

Why are mint julep cups silver?

Traditional mint julep cups are beautiful silver or pewter cups with tapered shapes and beaded rims. Silver is the material of choice because it allows frost to form outside the cup, helping make the drink colder for longer.

How do you hold a mint julep?

The right way to hold a mint julep cup is to hold the cup around the band on its base or the top lip so that your hands don’t warm it.

How do I do a salt or sugar rim to a mint julep cup?

This will depend on what type of mint julep cup you’ll be using. Silver cups with a very thin rim are tricky to use for rimming because the salt and sugar won’t adhere easily. However, if you’re using mint julep cups with thicker rims, you can do a salt or sugar rim like you usually would on a margarita glass.

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