Riders up!
Happy Friday, folks! We made it! The weekend is here at last, and we’ve got a bit less than a month until Derby Day, so it’s high time we start planning our party menus. If you’re me and neurotic, that is.
Hey, last minute shit stresses me out, and if you’re the same, we’re brothers and sisters in anxiety. Woohoo.
Thankfully, my Sweet Green Tea Mint Julep is about as chill as they come as far as cocktails go. Brewed green tea steeped with plenty of honey and mixed with bourbon, lemon, and mint, a cross between a refreshing iced tea and the classic Derby cocktail. Very easily batched for multiple drinks so all of the folks at your race day gathering can enjoy their share of sips!
This is a quick one today, as my drinks usually are, so let’s giggety get it.
You’re Too Sweet For Me
First step here is brewing our green tea. I make more than I need for one drink because I’m probably going to mix multiple. The amount called for here will make about 3 cocktails!
Boil some water, then drop in two plain green tea bags. Mint green tea might be nice here; try it if you have it! Stir in some honey and steep about 10 minutes. The longer brew time ensures the flavor pokes through when you mix the cocktail.
Discard the tea bags and let cool a bit.
Snag your favorite rocks glass from the bar cabinet. In the bottom, muddle mint leaves with bourbon and a touch of fresh lemon juice. Fill the glass halfway with crushed ice, then measure in the green tea.
Stir to combine, then top with lots more crushed ice, in true mint julep fashion. Pop in a big sprig of mint, and that’s it!
No fuss or fancy here, just a good traditional drink with a breezy spring twist. Enjoy!
Tried this recipe out? Leave a rating and comment below with your thoughts, and don’t forget to come say hi on Instagram and show me what you made!
Fancy another julep?
sweet green tea mint julep
Ingredients
- 2 green tea bags
- 1-2 tbsp honey
- 2 oz bourbon
- 4-5 fresh mint leaves, plus more for garnish
- 1/2 oz lemon juice
Instructions
- Bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a kettle or small sauce pot. If using a kettle, pour the water into a heat-safe glass. Drop in the tea bags and stir in the honey. Steep 10 minutes. Discard the tea bags and let cool slightly. This will make more than you need for one drink.
- In your favorite rocks glass, muddle the bourbon, mint leaves, and lemon juice. Fill the glass about halfway with crushed ice, then pour in 4 ounces of green tea and stir. Fill to the top with more crushed ice and garnish with a big mint sprig. Riders up!
Love that this recipe leans into prepping early for Derby day— I’m exactly the same way, last minute party prep gives me so much anxiety! The green tea twist on a classic mint julep sounds so refreshing for a spring gathering, and the fact that it’s easy to batch is such a win. I already have all the ingredients in my kitchen, I’m definitely mixing this up this weekend. Can’t wait to try it!
YEP! I am a procrastinator in some ways but not with menus, so I hear you. Hope you love the recipe!