Mint Julep Cocktail Mixer Recipes

Named for the James Joyce story in which a few lads have one increasingly wild night, this cocktail is a simple way to drink what you really want on St. Paddy's Day (i.e. whiskey) while still participating in the green festivities. 

If green beer is not your thing, drop a few of these mint-infused ice cubes into a rocks glass and pour over a dram of your favorite Irish whiskey. 

TO MAKE THE ICE: 

1. Mix one part Mint Julep cocktail mixer with three parts water and stir. 
2. Line the bottom of an ice mold with fresh mint leaves.
3. Pour the liquid into the ice mold over the fresh mint and allow to freeze overnight. 

Eli Mason can't be the only fella that likes a little dimension to his cocktails. Sometimes you need more than just the basic sweet or sour flavors in a cocktail. 

That where bitter comes in. It's one of the most common flavor elements in classic cocktails and adds unbelievable dimension and complexity to bourbon, whiskey and gin drinks. 

For this cocktail, we're bringing in some bitter with Fernet Branca. Simply called "Fernet" (and pronounced fur-NET) by your local hipster, it's a complex aperitif bitter with ingredients ranging from cinnamon and chamomile to myrrh and bitter orange. Its formula is one of the world's best kept secrets. So tightly kept, in fact, that since its origin, even those who collect the spices do not know the exact quantities needed. Regardless of the secret, the taste is pungent and intense with a minty finish.

When paired with our Mint Julep Cocktail Mixer, the flavors of Fernet and bourbon are not only enhanced, but also melded, thanks in part to the addition of the gomme syrup and fresh mint in our Mint Julep mixer. 

INGREDIENTS:

2 oz. Bourbon 

.5 oz. Eli Mason Mint Julep Cocktail Mixer

.25 oz. Fernet Branca

Sprig of Fresh Mint for Garnish

Fill an old fashioned glass with ice and water to chill. Meanwhile, add a three whole ice cubes and a couple cracked cubes to a cocktail mixing glass. The extra surface area of the cracked ice will further mellow the flavors of the drink. Add all ingredients (except the fresh mint) to the mixing glass and stir 15-20 seconds to chill. Discard ice and water from old fashioned glass, add one large cube and strain cocktail into glass. Garnish with fresh mint and serve.

It's a bird! It's a cocktail! Technically it's a mocktail, but a light splash of gin would go well in this long-legged cooler.

Did you know the flamingo gets its color from the carotenoid pigments in the critters it eats? This beautiful drink gets its color from a slightly more sophisticated source: The classically floral Peychaud’s Bitters, available wherever fine bitters are sold. 

As always, fresh-squeezed juices will make a huge difference in the quality of the finished product. Try it with Meyer lemon.

INGREDIENTS:

1 oz. Eli Mason Mint Julep Cocktail Mixer

.5 oz. Fresh Grapefruit Juice

.5 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice

Dash of Peychaud's Bitters

Club Soda

Combine the first four ingredients over ice and shake. Strain into a highball glass with plenty of ice and top with club soda. 

If we had known how versatile our Mint Julep Cocktail Mixer was from the beginning, we might have named it something less specific. Sure it makes a mean Mint Julep, but Nashville barkeeps and foodies continue to find additional uses for this premium mixer, from mojitos to mules and even some fine non-alcoholic beverages.

Case in point.

When it's cold out, there's nothing like a rich hot chocolate to warm your belly and induce feelings of goodwill toward your fellow man. And if you happen to tip an ounce or two dark rum in there ... well, Eli respects that.

This recipe is ideal with rich Dutch cocoa powder, though any premium cocoa will create a winner. The salt is optional but give it a try at least once. And use whole milk, forpetesake. We only go around once.

INGREDIENTS:

6 oz. Milk

1 TBSP. Cocoa Powder

1 oz. Eli Mason Mint Julep mixer

Pinch of Salt

Marshmallows

Warm the milk. Whisk in the cocoa powder and salt. Stir in the Mint Julep mixer and serve with marshmallows. This recipe is easily doubled. 

Making a great Mint Julep has never been so easy as when you make it with Eli Mason Mint Julep Cocktail Mixer. 

You see, we do all the work. Our Mint Julep Cocktail Mixer is made with fresh mint, cane sugar and a touch of organic gum arabic for a silky mouthfeel.

While you're welcome to get all traditional with an old-school julep cup, this will still taste just as good in any ol' glass you've got on hand. 

A couple little tricks we like are to slightly bruise the fresh mint by clapping it your hand before placing it in the glass. Then trim your straw so it is just short enough to place your nose right above the mint while sipping. It's nothing short of magical.

INGREDIENTS:

2 oz. Bourbon or Whiskey

1 oz. Eli Mason Mint Julep Cocktail Mixer

Crushed or Chipped Ice

Fresh Mint for Garnish

Place fresh mint so the top sticks out of the glass and pack with crushed ice to hold it in place. Combine your bourbon and Mint Julep Cocktail mixer and pour into the glass. Add the straw and you're ready for a day at the races!

Maybe it's a Southern thing. Maybe we have a sweet tooth. But when it's hot out, nothing picks you up or cools you down like a tall, sweating glass of sweet tea. It's notoriously easy to make - just add sugar to freshly brewed black tea and cool it down with so much ice.

When you're really ready to show off for a guest, break out the Eli Mason's Mint Julep cocktail mixer and add a touch of refreshing mint to their glass.

Our Mint Julep mixer is made with handfuls of fresh mint, which we wash, chop, and then steep to release the plant's full earthy flavor and aroma. Our mint sweet tea is sweet (natch) but balanced, minty but refreshingly subtle. 

We think you'll love it. And the recipe couldn't be easier.

INGREDIENTS:

5 parts unsweet tea

1 part Eli Mason Mint Julep cocktail mixer

Stir together over ice and sip slowly.

If you thought Eli Mason Cocktail Mixers were only for cocktails, you'd be mistaken. Yes, we know we call them "cocktail mixers," but they're great for all kinds of recipes. 

We make our Mint Julep Cocktail Mixer with bundles of fresh, fragrant mint. We steep it slowly to capture the bright flavors of the mint in each bottle. 

Those flavors are perfectly-paired with all kinds of fresh fruit, especially ripe summertime melons.

You can use any melon you wish with this recipe, though we love the combination of the 'holy trinity' of summer melons - watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew.

INGREDIENTS:

6 cups Fresh Melon Pieces

1/4 cup Eli Mason Mint Julep Cocktail Mixer

Fresh Mint Leaves for Garnish

In a bowl, add your cut melon pieces. Pour the Mint Julep Cocktail Mixer over melon and toss to combine. Sprinkle with fresh mint and serve. 

Looking for an easy drink to make for a large group on a warm afternoon? Eli Mason’s Minted Mule is a crowd-pleaser for all palates.

Our Mint Julep Cocktail Mixer helps provide a fresh twist on the traditional recipe, so give it a spin and share it in good company (note: company not included but we'll come sip one of these with you any day of the year).

INGREDIENTS:

2 oz. Vodka

.75 oz. Eli Mason Mint Julep Mixer

6 oz. Ginger Beer

Combine first two ingredients over ice and top with a dry ginger beer. Quick stir and garnish with fresh mint and a lime wedge.

Mojitos and summer go together like ... mojitos and summer. This Cuban classic is light, bright, and refreshing, which is the perfect complement for our ever-versatile Mint Julep mixer. 

It's also just fun to make. Very hands-on. We like crushed ice for its cooling and diluting properties. Gotta stay hydrated, amigos.

Experiment by adding bitters to cut the sweetness. Use different kinds of rum. Or substitute tequila blanco for a Mexican Mojito.

INGREDIENTS:

2 oz. White Rum

1 oz. Eli Mason Mint Julep mixer

.5 oz. Fresh Lime Juice (4-6 wedges)

Club Soda

Muddle the lime wedges and Mint Julep syrup in the bottom of a Highball or Collins glass and then pack it with crushed ice. Pour in the rum and give it a stir. Top with soda and garnish with fresh mint.

This refreshing riff on Imbibe Magazine's Benton Park Swizzle (which itself is a riff on the classic Queen's Park Swizzle) is named for our beloved neighborhood park in the 12 South area of Nashville. 

The drink category of swizzles has a long and contested history. For simplicity, you can think of a swizzle like an upmarket mojito, though of course swizzles came first.

Technique is important. Use lots of crushed ice and build it in a tall glass, stirring (swizzling) as you go to create a julep-like frost on the outside. If you don't have a lélé twig on hand (who does?), just spin your favorite long bar spoon by rubbing it between your palms. And keep packing in the crushed ice until your cup runneth over. 

This recipe adds a touch of the bitter amaro Fernet-Branca, which is hugely popular in South America and also widely available in the US. The peppermint top-note of Fernet is the perfect complement to the Mint Julep mixer and gold rum. There are many fine uses for Fernet, so go ahead and splurge on a bottle today.

INGREDIENTS:

2 oz. Gold Rum

1 oz. Eli Mason Mint Julep cocktail mixer

.75 oz. Fresh Lime Juice

.5 oz. Fernet-Branca

Small handful of Mint Leaves

Crushed ice

Club soda (optional)

Lightly muddle a few fresh mint leaves in the bottom of the glass and add a handful of crushed ice. Add the rum and lime juice and stir. Really swizzle it. Add more ice and the Mint Julep mixer. More swizzling. Pack the rest of the glass with ice and top with Fernet-Branca and (optional) a little club soda. One more big swizzle and then garnish with mint. Serve with a straw. 

The Southside is a strong drink. Spirit forward. The complex floral and vegetal notes of the gin are present in every sip, and your choice of spirit has a big impact on the final product.

It's a simple recipe. Almost too simple. When a recipe is this simple, the key ingredient is balance. Our Mint Julep cocktail mixer plays its part by lending a brightness and an earthy coolness that only real mint can bring. 

Suitable for sipping on the front porch or a smoky back room around the poker table, the classic Southside is a great way to introduce your friends to the wonders of gin.

INGREDIENTS:

1.5 oz. Gin

1 oz. Eli Mason Mint Julep cocktail mixer

.75 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice

Combine all ingredients over ice in a cocktail shaker, shake for 10-15 seconds, and strain into a chilled martini glass.

Garnish with a twist or a sprig of fresh mint. 

VARIATIONS:

Muddle a few cucumber slices in the shaker to turn your Southside into an Eastside. Try substituting lime juice for lemon. And of course, try this recipe with every kind of gin you can get your hands on.