Chocolate Mint Julep Cocktail Recipe

Twisting the classic mint julep idea just a bit, this variation substitutes crème de cacao for the sugar, adding a chocolate flavor that pairs well with both bourbon and mint.

By
Daniel Gritzer
Daniel Gritzer
Daniel Gritzer
Editorial Director
Daniel joined the Serious Eats culinary team in 2014 and writes recipes, equipment reviews, articles on cooking techniques. Prior to that he was a food editor at Food & Wine magazine, and the staff writer for Time Out New York's restaurant and bars section.
Learn about Serious Eats' Editorial Process
Updated May 03, 2019
mint julep
Vicky Wasik

Why It Works

  • Crushed ice chills the drink rapidly and keeps it cold.
  • Crème de cacao delivers more than enough sweetness on its own, so no extra sugar is necessary.

Twisting the classic mint julep idea just a bit, this variation substitutes crème de cacao for the sugar. It's a liqueur that's sweet enough to do the work of the sugar, while adding a chocolate flavor that pairs perfectly with both the vanilla-caramel bourbon notes and the fresh mint.

Your best bet is a good-quality crème de cacao that has a true chocolate-and-vanilla flavor, not a cloying, artificial one; one of the best is Tempus Fugit. Do bear in mind that this version of a julep leans a little on the sweet side, a natural consequence of its overall sweet flavor profile.

Recipe Details

Chocolate Mint Julep Cocktail Recipe

Active 5 mins
Total 5 mins
Serves 1 serving
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 10 mint leaves, plus a generous bouquet of mint sprigs for garnish

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons (22ml) crème de cacao, preferably Tempus Fugit or another high-quality brand

  • 2 ounces (60ml) bourbon or rye whiskey (see note)

  • Crushed or shaved ice

Directions

  1. In a julep cup or large rocks glass, gently muddle mint leaves until lightly bruised, then swab the glass's sides with the mint's aromatic oils. Add crème de cacao and bourbon or rye and stir well. Half-fill glass with crushed ice and stir to combine. Fill glass completely with crushed ice and stir until outside of glass frosts. Add more crushed ice, heaping generously, then garnish with sprigs of fresh mint. Serve, adding a short straw if desired so that the fragrance of the mint bouquet will greet the drinker with each sip.

Notes

Rye tends to be less sweet-tasting than bourbon, which you may prefer if you find the combination of chocolate notes and bourbon a little too sweet. It's a matter of personal taste, but worth experimenting with if desired.

Special Equipment

Muddler, Lewis bag, julep cup or large rocks glass

This Recipe Appears In

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
69Calories
0gFat
11gCarbs
0gProtein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories69
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g0%
Saturated Fat 0g0%
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 3mg0%
Total Carbohydrate 11g4%
Dietary Fiber 0g0%
Total Sugars 10g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg1%
Calcium 4mg0%
Iron 0mg1%
Potassium 9mg0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

More Serious Eats Recipes