Southern Style JulepCocktail recipe
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Southern Style Julep is a julep-leaning whiskey drink with a bolder, more spirit-forward twist, pairing bourbon with a splash of Jamaican rum for extra depth. You’ll recognise the drink’s roots in the broader julep tradition: a Southern staple built around whiskey, mint, and sugar, prized for its cooling, aromatic character and its easy, porch-sipping charm. This version keeps that familiar framework but nudges it into richer territory by layering two distinct styles of aged spirit.
On the palate, bourbon brings rounded sweetness and warm oak, while Jamaican rum adds a punchier, funkier molasses-tinged intensity that lifts the base without overwhelming it. Mint leaves thread through the drink with bright, green aromatics, and the dash of sugar smooths the edges, tying the spirits together and letting the mint read as fresh rather than sharp.
Serve it when you want something relaxed but confident: a slow sipper for warm evenings, backyard hangs, or any moment that calls for a Southern accent with a little extra swagger. If you like minty whiskey drinks but want more complexity than a straight bourbon build, this hits the spot.
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Lowball / rocks glass
Ingredients
Cocktail Colin says:
Bourbon leads with warm, oaky sweetness while Jamaican rum adds a darker, funky molasses edge, and mint leaves lift everything with cool, green freshness as a sugar dash rounds the spirits into a smooth, slightly syrupy core. It works because the mint brightens the bourbon-rum heft and the sugar tames the rum’s punch, ideal for spirit-forward drinkers who want a julep vibe without losing intensity.
Method
How to make a Southern Style Julep
- Jamaican rum 30ml, Bourbon 60ml, Mint leaves 8, Sugar Dash
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- In a mixing glass muddle the sugar with the mint leaves and a dash of the bourbon
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- Add the rest of the bourbon and Jamaican rum, before shaking well with ice
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- Strain into a crushed ice-filled lowball glass, garnish with a sprig of mint, then serve
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FAQ's
What is the best occasion to enjoy a Southern Style Julep?
The Southern Style Julep, with its refreshing minty flavor and rich mix of Jamaican rum and bourbon, is perfect for warm summer evenings, garden parties, or as a celebrated cocktail during horse racing events, particularly the Kentucky Derby, where the mint julep has long been a traditional beverage.
How does the taste of Jamaican rum influence the Southern Style Julep?
Jamaican rum adds a rich and slightly fruity complexity to the Southern Style Julep, enhancing the cocktail with its bold flavors. This type of rum often carries notes of vanilla, banana, and sometimes a spicy undertone, which complements the sweetness of the sugar and the freshness of the mint leaves, making the cocktail more layered and intriguing.
Can I make a non-alcoholic version of the Southern Style Julep?
Yes, a non-alcoholic version of the Southern Style Julep can easily be prepared by substituting the alcoholic components with non-alcoholic alternatives. For example, using a non-alcoholic bourbon substitute or a combination of tea or apple juice with a hint of almond extract can mimic the depth of bourbon, while non-alcoholic rum flavoring or simple syrup infused with rum essence can replace Jamaican rum.
What's the significance of using a lowball glass for a Southern Style Julep?
Using a lowball glass for the Southern Style Julep serves a few purposes. Firstly, its wide opening allows the aroma of the mint and the alcohol to be fully appreciated. Secondly, the lowball glass has just the right size and shape to hold the desired amount of ice without diluting the drink too quickly, preserving the cocktail's strength and flavor profile throughout the enjoyment.
Is there a particular type of mint that works best in the Southern Style Julep?
While any fresh mint can add the characteristic cool and refreshing note to the Southern Style Julep, spearmint is often the preferred choice for its optimal balance between sweetness and minty freshness, without being overly pungent. Spearmint's delicate flavor complements the robustness of the bourbon and the complexity of the Jamaican rum, making the cocktail more harmonious.
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