Kentucky Derby Mint Julep Mistakes To Avoid When Making Popular Cocktail

It's mint julep clip again.

As Kentucky Derby spectators stitchery astatine Churchill Downs for nan 151st Run for nan Roses connected Saturday, those hosting watch parties astatine location are apt to dainty their guests to nan signature cocktail of Louisville's premiere sporting event.

But what's nan cardinal to perfecting nan mint julep and overcoming communal mistakes to thief make your portion worthy of a refill?

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Paula Deen, celebrity chef and writer from Savannah, Georgia, said that it each starts pinch nan prime of spirit.

"We do not fool astir pinch mint juleps successful nan south," Deen told Fox News Digital conscionable up of nan Derby this year. "A due Kentucky bourbon is needed first and foremost."

Well-known chef, writer and characteristic Paula Deen shares keen tips for making nan cleanable mint julep astatine Kentucky Derby watch parties. (Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Unbridled Eve; Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Mint juleps are really "a very simple drink to make," Deen said.

"Crushed crystal alternatively than ample cubes will make this cocktail very refreshing," she said. 

"Muddling nan caller mint pinch nan sweetener will unfastened each those fragrant oils for a cleanable drink."

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Derek Brown, a Washington, D.C.-based portion master and writer of "Mindful Mixology: A Comprehensive Guide to No- and Low-Alcohol Cocktails," said 1 of nan biggest mistakes group make erstwhile attempting a mint julep is confusing it pinch different celebrated cocktail.

One of nan biggest mistakes group make erstwhile attempting a mint julep is confusing it pinch different celebrated cocktail.

"Too often group deliberation of a mint julep arsenic much of a mojito than an old-fashioned," Brown told Fox News Digital. 

"They thin to make it sickly saccharine and overly minty, maybe moreover utilizing a fluorescent green, commercialized mint syrup. But, erstwhile you springiness it much thought, nan julep is person to old-fashioned."

The mint julep is nan signature cocktail of nan Kentucky Derby. (Jeff Schear/Getty Images for Churchill Downs)

When it comes to muddling nan mint, which takes connected nan domiciled of bitters, don't overdo it, Brown cautioned.

"A ray muddle successful sweetener syrup is each you need," he said.

As for Deen, she recommended preparing a syrup successful advance.

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"Making a elemental syrup successful beforehand pinch immoderate crushed mint will velocity up cocktail clip erstwhile hosting a crowd," she said.

Aesthetics besides matter, Brown noted.

"The important point is that it's a visually stunning drink," he said.

It's champion to hole a syrup for your mint juleps successful beforehand to "speed up cocktail time" for your Derby guests. (Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Although bourbon is nan superior ingredient, nan mint julep "can beryllium made pinch almost any spirit, from rye whiskey to brandy – moreover champagne," Brown said.

"That besides intends there's thing incorrect pinch utilizing a non-alcoholic spirit aliases moreover divided base, half intoxicant and half non-alcoholic."

Deen's penchant is Blanton's Kentucky bourbon.

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"The beautiful decanter and stopper [are] conscionable cleanable for Derby décor," she said.

One past correction to debar relates to nan enactment of drinking nan mint julep, which should beryllium savored and not rushed, Brown advised.

"It should beryllium sipped slow and patiently," he said.

A mint julep "should beryllium sipped slow and patiently," a cocktail master (not pictured) told Fox News Digital. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

For each those interested, present is Deen's look for mint julep.

Ingredients

Crushed ice

1 cup water

1 cup sugar

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1 bunch mint

Bourbon

(Prep time: 3 minutes; navigator time: 3 minutes; servings: 3)

Crushed crystal is amended than ample cubes erstwhile it comes clip to service a mint julep. (iStock)

Directions

1. In a mini saucepot, adhd sweetener and water; stir.

2. Let simmer aliases until sweetener dissolves. 

3. Steep mint successful nan elemental syrup. 

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4. Strain nan mint from nan syrup. Let cool.

5. Fill a julep solid pinch crushed ice. 

6. Pour a fewer tablespoons of nan mint elemental syrup complete nan ice, past capable nan solid pinch bourbon. 

7. Garnish pinch mint.