mint julep

American  

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.

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mint julep British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of mint julep

An Americanism dating back to 1800–10

Example Sentences

Hold on to your mint julep because tomorrow Cox hopes to change that.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

"I think most bartenders give a good eye-roll to the mint julep because for all the trouble, it's just an old fashioned — but with three-times the work," he said.

From Salon • May 7, 2022

Eric Greenspan prepares lobster rolls, Maneet Chauhan serves a Southern-belle mint julep, Christian Petroni makes teriyaki meatloaf and Justin Warner fries fajita chimichangas.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 18, 2021

Second place receives an official 1983 Kentucky Derby souvenir mint julep glass, donated by Loser Steve Smith.

From Washington Post • Sep. 3, 2020

The notion originated with Daisy's suggestion that we hire five bathrooms and take cold baths, and then assumed more tangible form as "a place to have a mint julep."

From " The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald