Southern · drink
Mint Julep
Mint Julep reads sweetness 8.4, herbaceous 4.5 and smoke 1.9 on Palate's 0–10 flavor X-ray — a Southern drink, about 3 min. Measured from the recipe itself: ingredients and technique.
The flavor X-ray — six axes, 0–10
- Umami & Savory — 1.0 / 10
- Sweet & Fruity — 8.8 / 10
- Sour & Bright — 0.5 / 10
- Bitter & Earthy — 2.1 / 10
- Rich & Fat — 2.1 / 10
- Aromatic & Spice — 4.6 / 10
The measured notes (of 18)
Sweetness 8.4 · Herbaceous 4.5 · Smoke 1.9 · Richness 1.9 · Floral 1.5 · Bitterness 1.3 · Fruity 1.3 · Salinity 0.9 · Umami 0.9 · Nutty 0.7 · Citrus 0.5
What's in it (5)
- 2 oz Kentucky bourbon
- 8 fresh mint leaves
- 1 tsp superfine sugar
- 1 cup crushed ice
- powdered sugar for garnish
Time & effort: about 3 min · effort: easy
Nutrition (per 100 g, engine-estimated): 412.6 kcal, 12.6 g protein, 9.6 g fat, 68.5 g carbs
Dietary: Vegan — engine-derived; double-check anything allergy-critical.
How it's cooked (3 steps)
- Gently muddle a few mint leaves with sugar or syrup in a silver julep cup or highball glass to release the oils without tearing the leaves.
- Fill the cup completely with crushed ice, pour bourbon over it, and stir briefly until the cup frosts on the outside.
- Garnish with a generous sprig of fresh mint dusted with powdered sugar.
Dishes with a similar flavor shape
- Afternoon Tea — British
- Moroccan Mint Tea (Atay) — Moroccan
- Sobia (White Coconut Drink) — Egyptian
- Taho (Silken Tofu with Syrup and Tapioca) — Filipino
- Kvass (Квас) — Russian
Keep reading: what sweetness, herbaceous, smoke mean in the flavor lexicon · the world's cuisines, by flavor.
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Every number above is Palate's engine-measured estimate, computed from this recipe's ingredients and techniques — not human-tasted ratings or reviews.