mint julep

noun

1. an alcoholic drink traditionally made with bourbon, sugar, and finely cracked ice and garnished with sprigs of mint, served in a tall, frosted glass: also made with other kinds of whiskey, brandy, and sometimes rum.

mint julep

noun

1. a long drink consisting of bourbon whiskey, crushed ice, sugar, and sprigs of mint

Word History and Origins

Origin of mint julep¹

An Americanism dating back to 1800–10

Example Sentences

Revelers at Churchill Downs will be wearing colorful hats and sipping $22 mint juleps from souvenir glasses under the twin spires that stand sentry over this cathedral of horse racing.

From New York Times

A member or his guest can wander from the Grove's shooting range to a lecture by Blackwater founder Erik Prince, or from a mint julep party to a performance by the Grove's symphony orchestra.

From Salon

But here, in every direction, Derby-goers in fancy dresses and seersucker suits posed for selfies, fluffed the feathers in their hats and sipped mint juleps.

From Seattle Times

But whatever your reason, whatever your draw, whatever number of mint juleps you’ve had, everyone has the same question.

From Los Angeles Times

From early March through the end of summer, his strawberry mojitos and mint juleps were simply divine on a warm, sunny day.

From Salon