Cocktails

Mint Julep (Southern Style)

Mint Julep (Southern Style) is an alcoholic cocktail built on Bourbon. It leans sweet and caramel. Served in a Collins Glass. Expect about 18% ABV and roughly 212 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamHow we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction

Cocktailalcoholic18% ABV4 ingredients

At a Glance

212 kcalCalories

18%ABV

16.6gSugar

16.6gCarbs

1.5Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Moderatestirred drink

Why: 4 ingredients, stirred drink, requires rimmed glass, requires bar spoon

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients

5 or 6springs mintOther
1.0 ozPowdered SugarSweetener
2.0 ozWaterMixer
2.0 ozBourbonBase Spirit

How to Make It

In silver mug or Collins glass, dissolve powdered sugar with water.
Fill with finely shaved ice and add bourbon.Fill
Stir until glass is heavily frosted, adding more ice if necessary.Stirred
(Do not hold glass with hand while stirring.) Decorate with sprigs of fresh mint so that the tops are about two inches above the rim of glass.Stirred
Use short straws so that it will be necessary to bury nose in mint, which is intended for scent rather than taste.

How to Serve

Glass: Collins Glass
Temperature: Chilled
Ice: Ice
Method: Stirred

Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

Sweet Caramel

Supporting notes

Oak Spice Vanilla Mint Herbal

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

StrengthLight – Strong

BodyLight – Full

SweetnessDry – Sweet

BoldnessDelicate – Bold

Noticeably sweet

What do these dimensions mean?

When to serve

BBQ / CookoutSuggested from its oak notes, pairing with bbq and grilled meat.
Winter / CozySuggested from its spice notes.

Occasion tags are inferred from drink style, serving format, flavour profile, food-pairing theme, recipe metadata, and strict multi-signal supplemental rule matches.

Food pairings

BBQ Steak Grilled Meat

Food pairings are derived from the drink flavour signature, mapped to one dominant pairing theme, then limited to coherent public suggestions.

Diet & lifestyle

Compatible, based on the listed ingredients

Gluten-Free Vegan Vegetarian

Not compatible

KetoLow-CarbLow-Sugar

Diet tags are ingredient-level and nutrition-estimate based. Product brands, preparation methods, quantities, and substitutions may change compatibility.

Alternatives to try

Choose an ingredient to see reviewed substitutions, or filter for a different preference.

Reviewed ingredient substitutions

Powdered Sugar1.0 oz

Superfine SugarWorks, with a noticeable change

How much to use: Dissolve well; sweetness may need a small adjustment.
What changes: Superfine sugar can replace powdered sugar in many shaken drinks.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Bourbon2.0 oz

Rye WhiskeyWorks, with a noticeable change

How much to use: Use the same amount; adjust sweetener if the drink becomes too dry.
What changes: Rye whiskey can replace bourbon when a spicier, drier version is acceptable.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Reviewed component substitutions are not guarantees that the replacement was tested in this exact recipe. Follow the reviewed adjustment note and taste before serving.

Preference filters use current ingredient, nutrition and diet evidence. They are not medical advice, and this database contract does not store user selections.

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Last updated June 18, 2026

Ingredients, measures and method are taken from the source recipe; roles and serving details are mapped from reviewed evidence.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a Mint Julep (Southern Style)?: The Mint Julep (Southern Style) is a cocktail made with 4 ingredients, traditionally served in a Collins Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 18.0%. A standard serving contains approximately 212 calories.
What does a Mint Julep (Southern Style) taste like?: Mint Julep (Southern Style) has a flavour profile featuring Sweet, Caramel, Oak, Spice. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
What food goes well with a Mint Julep (Southern Style)?: Mint Julep (Southern Style) pairs well with BBQ, Steak, Grilled Meat. The pairing is based on complementary flavour profiles from the recipe's ingredients.
How strong is a Mint Julep (Southern Style)?: The Mint Julep (Southern Style) has an ABV of approximately 18.0%. That's approximately 1.50 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 212 kcal, 16.6g sugar, 16.6g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
When is a Mint Julep (Southern Style) typically served?: Mint Julep (Southern Style) is often suggested for BBQ / Cookout, Winter / Cozy, based on its flavour profile and typical serve.
What drinks are similar to a Mint Julep (Southern Style)?: If you enjoy Mint Julep (Southern Style), the "similar flavour profile" suggestions on this page point to cocktails that share its flavour character. Drinks with a matching spirit base and comparable body and acidity feel closest.
Can I make a Mint Julep (Southern Style) at home?: Yes. The Mint Julep (Southern Style) uses 4 ingredients, making it straightforward to prepare at home. You will need a Collins Glass. Use quality spirits and fresh ingredients for the best result.
What do the sensory profile dimensions mean?: Sensory profile dimensions describe key flavour characteristics: Body (light to full), Dryness (sweet to bone dry), Acidity (flat to crisp), Fruitiness (subtle to prominent) and Boldness (delicate to bold). Each scale helps you compare cocktails at a glance and find ones with similar character.
How do I use sensory profiles to find cocktails I like?: Compare the Body, Acidity and Fruitiness of Mint Julep (Southern Style) with other cocktails. If you enjoy this drink, look for others with a similar profile. Adjust one dimension at a time to discover new favourites while staying in your flavour comfort zone.