5 Pro Tips To Serve An Ice Cold Mint Julep All Party Long

In summers, one of the aspects most looked forward to is an outdoor party. Fairy lights, kitschy decor, rattan furniture and other woodland aesthetics can be brought together to create an ambience that works well for a summertime evening gathering. At such events, along with small bites and fruity appetisers, one other highlight is inevitably those cocktails which are suitable for summer weather. 

And one such classic cocktail which can be prepared at an outdoor party is the crisp mint julep. Made by bringing together 30 ml of good quality bourbon with a dash of lime juice, a tablespoon of simple syrup and lots of fresh mint leaves, this drink has a peppery, sharp taste which is accentuated because of the presence of crushed ice in the recipe. Keeping mint juleps chilled can be a tricky process but is the most essential step for ensuring that the taste of this classic mix remains intact. 

Read on below to know more about how mint juleps crafted at a summertime party can be kept chilled for a prolonged period, to retain their crisp and tart flavours:

Use Lots Of Crushed Ice

What makes the mint julep stand out among different cocktails is the addition of lots of ice to the recipe, which plays an important role in making the different tasting notes of the drink more pronounced. Along with this, adding crushed ice to the cocktail blend ensures that it remains cool for a long period without becoming too diluted. Build the drink in a cocktail shaker and serve it over crushed ice so its flavours gradually release themselves into the drink without making it too watery all at once.

Another simple but effective hack to keep mint juleps chilled is to serve them in classic pewter cups or metal holders which help to maintain the temperature of the drink. The history of the mint julep can be traced back to the Kentucky Derby which is traditionally held in summers. At this event, a mint julep would be served in steel or pewter cups through time, especially so it could remain cool as the attendees would be gathered under the summer sun. Staying true to this tradition, serving mint juleps in such classic glassware would go a long way in keeping it chilled at an outdoor gathering for a prolonged period.

A basic step involved in bringing together the mint julep is to pre chill the ingredients required for preparing this blend. This will ensure that the lime juice, simple syrup and even the mint leaves used for making a classic mint julep are already cold enough even before mixing. These elements can then be brought out to the patio bar or garden bar so they can be blended with crushed ice to further bring the drink’s temperature down. With this, you will be able to keep the mint julep cool for longer.

One of the reasons that a mint julep is served chilled in summers is because it works well as a cool drink served outside in the garden during warm weather accompanied by small bites and munchies. And keeping the mint julep cool can become smoother when it is served on ice pack trays that retain the chill in the drink. Another alternative is to place glasses of mint juleps on ice beds so they remain cold when they are circulated among guests.

Mint julep is a cocktail which can be prepared in large batches to cater to about a dozen guests. And making a mint julep batch can actually be advantageous because it will maintain its chilled temperature when placed in a pitcher or dispenser placed inside a beverage tub filled with ice. This will slow down the dilution process and keep mint juleps chilled all through the summertime garden party.

Also Read: Batching Mint Julep Cocktail: How To Serve A Crowd With Ease