Jackie Zykan Cocktails - May 2025

By Jackie Zykan

With over 20 years of experience in beverage alcohol, and a love affair with the natural world, I am delighted to share some of Kentucky’s finest pours alongside fresh, local, and seasonal botanicals.

The most notorious cocktail of May in Kentucky is without argument the mint julep. However, this cocktail is far from limited to an accessory on race day. The julep truly proves to be one of the most refreshing and delightful remedies across all warm weather seasons. Known historically as being a cooling concoction of the American south, the julep has a history dating back long before souvenir glasses made their claim. Juleps, like most cocktails, have been used across cultures as palatable medicinal tonics featuring a combination of various herbs dependent on the ailment being addressed. This month I am delighted to not only share with you the quintessential do’s and don’t’s of this classic, but to introduce a native mint species to make your julep as purely Kentuckian as possible. I have found there to be a sort of polarity when it comes to the level of enthusiasm for this icon. The culprit in division seems to be a matter of execution, which is of no surprise for a drink composed of so few ingredients. There is nowhere for poor technique to hide, and the quality ofingredients is of the utmost importance. As one who has madeliterally thousands over the years, it makes my mint-loving heart so happy to be able to share best practices based on experience in hopes that you will consider, or reconsider, the julep as a go to for cooling down during our upcoming months well beyond Derby day.

Featured Kentucky Flora: Pycnanthemum muticum (Short Toothed Mountain Mint)

One of the many species of mountain mints native to our state, this variety is easy to find both in the wild as well as garden centers. A must add to your native perennial garden, mountain mint is a gorgeous treat for pollinators as well asyour kitchen. Unlike other mints which can be aggressive and take over unless contained, mountain mint will only spread about as wide as it grows tall. Native mints are incredibly low maintenance and hardy, returning every year and respecting the boundaries in which you place them. The flavor and aromatic profile are a bit different than the more familiar varieties of spearmint and peppermint. Mountain mint tends to be less abrasive and intense, offering a smooth, floral, subtly soft mint which works perfectly in a mint julep prepared with a lower proof bourbon. 

Featured Kentucky Product: Any Kentucky Bourbon, 80-90 proof

It’s an understatement to note the selection of bourbon brands on the market has exploded in recent years. Even I find the whiskey aisle to be overwhelming nowadays. For this classic cocktail, I would prefer everyone stick to their comfort zone, but with one simple rule: keep the proof at minimum and resist the temptation to pour barrel strength or high ABV spirit into this recipe. 

the love for the julep as a warm weather tipple we must do so responsibly, and with only sugar, mint, and water to co-pilot the base spirit, it doesn’t have much in the way of flavor competition. If you have a love affair with a tried and true brand, then that’s the best choice to use. Many of us host out of town folks during this season and introducing them to a bottle which has your household’s loyalty is not only helpful for them to find upon return to their own neighborhoods, but gives a unique experience of your own individualhospitality. Within this article I typically like to highlight pours which are from smaller producers, but they can be hard to find out of state. Don’t shy away from something you already know and love, there is something to be treasured about the consistency and availability of some of the larger scale distillers. Keep in mind, the current state of the world has put some pressure on the export of our native spirit. We can do a great service by also supporting the larger brands at this moment right here at home. Of course if you’ve fallen for a craft expression, that’s wonderful and I fully support it! Just keep the choice for this drink between 80 and 90 proof, as the proportion of spirit in this particular build is generous.

Mountain Mint Julep

Directions: Combine first three ingredients in a mixing glass. Using a flat bottomed muddler, gently press down on the mint leaves and twist. Once you see the leaves have endured some bruising (you will notice dark patches where the leaves have been crushed) resist the temptation to keep pulverizing and stop. Depending on your aim, this could be 5-6 presses. Strain the mixture into a cup of firmly packed crushed ice. Using a bar spoon, swizzle the handle between the palms of your hands as though you were trying to start a fire with sticks, pulling the spoon up and down through the ice as you go. Swizzle until the ice melts down to meet the level of liquid. Top with additional crushed ice to fill the glass or julep cup. Garnish with additional mint sprigs.

Technique is everything

Here’s where the making of a julep can go awry. I cannot emphasize these tried and true methods enough as they are what will make or break your homemade julep result. Over muddling the mint or using a toothed/rough bottomed muddler can yield a bitter flavor. Those particular types are best suited for muddling fruits. The goal is to bruise, not puree. 

With regard to the mint, the care of this focus ingredient is key. Keep fresh mint in the refrigerator, loosely wrapped in a slightly damp paper towel, in a bag or container. Do not let your mint come in contact with ice packs or ice cubes in storage as you will burn the leaves and they will turn purple and wilt. Wilted and flaccid mint is not our friend in this recipe. Not to mention a perky and vibrant garnish is the penultimate welcome to each sip. A frequently overlooked step in the preparation is the release of the aromatic oils in the leaves of the garnish sprigs. To release these, gently slap the sprigs on the back of your hand before placing them in the glass. This ensures a waft of crisp, cool mint aroma everytime the imbiber visits the straw.

Shaking and stirring are more familiar methods when it comes to crafting a cocktail, however with this build the aeration and excessive dilution are not necessary. Not to mention you may overwork the leaves if shaken with ice. Following the steps to construct the drink in its serving vessel with crushed ice will yield the exact temperature and dilution necessary for balance. There are many sources of crushed/pellet ice in bulk, but you can easily crush your own using your muddler. Simply wrap whole ice cubes in a lint free towel and smash liberally. 

Straining the mixture helps lock in the gentle mint oil and avoids any particulate that may end up in your teeth. Keeping the mint leaves in the drink leads to over bruising as well as straw clogging. 

Would you like a straw? Actually… yes. 

The over use of plastic straws has reached a point of no return, and where we can avoid them we should of course, but for this recipe rest easy knowing it’s a crucial part of the experience. Insert the straw into the cocktail next to the mint garnish to capture the aromaticsas you sip. If there was ever a drink that can shamelessly maintain its inclusion of a straw, it’s the julep. Crushed ice cocktails function best with this method, and the drinking straw as we know it today was actually born out of use in this exact drink. 

When foraging wild plants always be completely certain of identification and follow the rule of “when in doubt, don’t”. Only take what is needed, leaving plenty for our native pollinators and fauna. Avoid harvesting from areas which are exposed to pesticides or other chemical applications. The statements in this article are for entertainment purposes only and are not meant to diagnose, treat, or medically advise. Please drink responsibly, you are loved by many.