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This mint julep party pitcher combines Kentucky bourbon, homemade mint syrup, and sparkling water for an easy batch cocktail that serves multiple guests. The fresh mint and simple syrup base can be made ahead, making it ideal for entertaining.
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Bring 1 cup water and 1 cup granulated sugar to a boil in a small saucepan. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Submerge 1 cup tightly packed mint leaves in the liquid. Remove the pan from the heat, cover, and infuse for 1 hour. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean, lidded jar. Refrigerate if not using immediately.
Drop 1/4 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves into the bottom of a pitcher. Muddle using a wooden spoon to release the mint's essential oils by pressing down and slightly twisting your utensil. The mint should appear bruised but not torn or blackened. Stir in 30 ounces bourbon and mint simple syrup.
Wrap ice cubes in a clean tea towel. Pound with a rolling pin or meat mallet to crush the ice.
Scoop enough ice into individual julep cups or Old Fashioned glasses until they are very full. Pour in 3 ounces of the bourbon and mint syrup mixture. Top with a splash of sparkling water. Garnish with a sprig of mint and a dusting of powdered sugar, if desired
Make ahead: The bourbon and mint syrup mixture can be mixed up to 1 day in advance. Mint leaves remain green after muddling for 4 hours, so muddle just before guests arrive.Storage: Refrigerate mint simple syrup for up to 1 week. Remove muddled mint from the bourbon and mint syrup mixture and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Store the bourbon-mint base (without sparkling water) in a sealed pitcher in the refrigerator up to 3 days; add chilled sparkling water and fresh ice just before serving.
Pitcher (2-liter capacity minimum) · Muddler or wooden spoon (for bruising mint)
Yes. Prepare the simple syrup with mint and refrigerate up to 2 days before mixing the cocktail.
Buffalo Trace is recommended, but any 100-proof Kentucky straight bourbon works well. Avoid flavored or low-proof options.
Best served immediately after adding sparkling water. If made ahead, store the bourbon-mint base without carbonation and add soda water just before serving.
Yes. Keep the 1:1 water-to-sugar ratio for syrup, use 1 bunch mint per 10 oz bourbon, and adjust sparkling water to taste.
No. It's optional for rimming glasses or dusting mint as garnish; the drink is complete without it.
