Delight in this easy-to-make Ginger Julep recipe! The mix of bourbon, fresh ginger, mint and Angostura bitters offers a refreshing taste of autumn.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 2 minutes
Servings: 1
Calories: 176
Ingredients
- 2 oz Bourbon
- 6-8 fresh mint leaves
- 1 fresh ginger slice
- 1 cane sugar cube
- 5 dashes Angostura aromatic bitters
- 1 dash Ginger Beer
- Crushed ice
- Mint sprig - ginger slice & icing sugar (for garnish, optional)
Equipment
- Julep Cup or Old Fashioned Glass
- Muddler
- Measuring Jigger
- Bar spoon or long stirrer
- Straw
Instructions
- Add Sugar Cube: Place 1 cane sugar cube in your Julep cup or Old Fashioned glass.
- Add Angostura aromatic bitters: Pour 5 dashes Angostura aromatic bitters over the sugar cube.
- Add Ginger Beer: Measure and pour 1 dash Ginger Beer on the sugar cube as well.
- Add Ginger Slice: Cut 1 fresh ginger slice in 2 and place it in the glass.
- Muddle: Muddle the ginger pieces and the sugar cube together. Make sure to reduce the sugar cube to powder so it will fully dissolve later on.
- Add Mint: Place 6-8 fresh mint leaves in one hand and gently smack it with the other, to release its aromas. Add the mint to the Julep cup or Old Fashioned glass.
- Add Bourbon: Measure and pour 2 oz Bourbon into the glass.
- Add Ice: Fill the glass three-quarters full with crushed ice.
- Stir: Using a bar spoon or long stirrer, churn well to combine the ingredients.
- Add Ice: Add a straw and top up with more crushed ice.
- Garnish: Garnish with a mint sprig and a thin ginger slice. Sprinkle some icing sugar on top and serve immediately.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Bourbon: If you don't have bourbon, you can substitute rye whiskey or brandy. Both will give a different flavor profile but still work well with the ginger and mint.
- Angostura Bitters: You can use other kinds of spicy, old fashioned style bitters to make this cocktail if you want; just make sure to choose bitters that are heavy on the spice and light on the sugar.
- Ginger Beer: You can use ginger ale or club soda as a substitute for ginger beer.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Bourbon Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic bourbon substitute; these are available and reasonably mimic bourbon's rich, sweet flavor. If you’re feeling crafty, you can also make your own bourbon substitute by infusing together rooibos tea and a bunch of spices of your liking (vanilla and cinnamon are always a good way to start). Mix all the ingredients together, add hot water, cover and let it infuse for at least 3h (the stronger the better, so if you have time let it infuse overnight. In that case, you can either let it rest in the fridge once the liquid has cooled down). Give it a taste, adjust the spice level if necessary and strain it once you’re happy with the result. Stored properly (in an airtight container in the fridge), this “tea-whiskey” can be kept for up to a week.
- Angostura Bitters: You can add a drop of cinnamon and/or clove essence to your drink or substitute the sugar with cinnamon syrup to mimic the spicy kick of the bitters. Also note that a few dashes of bitter in an otherwise alcohol-free drink won’t raise the overall ABV of the drink. The drink will indeed chemically contain a drop of alcohol, but won’t make you intoxicated at all. Depending on your reason for not drinking alcohol and your degree of tolerance on the topic, you can choose to omit the bitters or to include them in your preparation.
- Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular bourbon and bitters, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
The Ginger Julep cocktail is naturally vegan as it doesn't contain any animal products. Most spirits, including bourbon, are vegan-friendly. However, some brands may use animal products in their production process, especially if a filtration process is involved. Always check the brand's website or contact them directly to ensure their products are vegan.What is a Ginger Julep?
A Ginger Julep is a whiskey-based cocktail made of bourbon, fresh mint, fresh ginger, cane sugar, Angostura bitters and a splash of ginger beer. This drink is a variant of the classic Mint Julep, traditionally associated with the southern United States and the Kentucky Derby.
What is a Ginger Julep made of – The ingredients
Master the recipe for a Ginger Julep with our clear and concise steps:
- Fresh Ginger: Adds a spicy, warm kick to the cocktail. It’s the key ingredient that gives the Ginger Julep its distinctive flavor.
- Mint Leaves: Provide a refreshing, cool contrast to the heat of the ginger. They also add a touch of color to the drink.
- Bourbon: Serves as the strong, smooth base of the cocktail. Its rich, sweet flavor complements the spiciness of the ginger.
- Cane Sugar Cube: Balances out the bourbon and ginger with sweetness. It also helps to blend all the flavors.
- Ginger Beer: Used to help dissolve the sugar cube. It also brings an extra layer of spiciness to the drink.
- Crushed Ice: Chills and dilutes the drink slightly, making it more refreshing and sippable.
- Mint sprig, ginger slice & icing sugar: Used as garnishes, they bring an extra pop of color as well as a fresh, aromatic scent to the cocktail.
