{"id":27503,"date":"2016-05-07T08:40:54","date_gmt":"2016-05-07T12:40:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/?p=27503"},"modified":"2016-07-14T16:09:01","modified_gmt":"2016-07-14T20:09:01","slug":"healthy-mint-julep-recipe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/recipes\/healthy-mint-julep-recipe\/","title":{"rendered":"Healthy Mint Julep Recipe (Derby Approved!)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nearly 120,000 mint juleps are served during the Kentucky Derby<\/a>. It\u2019s the official drink of the \u201cGreatest Two Minutes in Sports\u201d after all. But you don\u2019t have to be in Louisville during the annual May weekend to imbibe. An at-home celebration is as simple as donning your fanciest hat or pastel colored button-down and whipping together a few ingredients.<\/p>\n

Although this version uses mostly traditional ingredients \u2014 Kentucky bourbon, fresh mint and crushed ice \u2014 we took sugar<\/a> out of the equation for a healthier, reduced calorie mint julep recipe. The cocktail<\/a> does have a generous serving of bourbon, so even after the horses have retired to their stables, you\u2019ll still be sipping happy.<\/p>\n

RELATED:\u00a0<\/strong>15 Cocktails Under 150 Calories (and Better Than Vodka-Soda)<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Mint
Photo by Perry Santanachote<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Healthy Mint Julep Recipe<\/h3>\n

Serves 1<\/i><\/p>\n

[skinnybox]<\/i><\/p>\n

Total time: 3 minutes<\/p>\n

Ingredients<\/b><\/h3>\n

Leaves from 5-6\u00a0mint sprigs
\n2 packets stevia sweetener
\n3 ounces\u00a0bourbon whiskey
\n2 cups crushed ice
\nMint sprigs for garnish<\/p>\n

Preparation<\/b><\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. Combine mint and stevia in a julep cup or tin cocktail shaker.<\/li>\n
  2. Grind this mixture with a few turns of the wrist using a muddler or wooden spoon, until you smell a strong mint aroma.<\/li>\n
  3. Add bourbon and half the ice. Churn with a stirrer until the cup gets frosty.<\/li>\n
  4. Top with an additional pile of ice and a whole bunch of mint. Serve with a short straw so you\u2019ll get a nose full of mint with every sip.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Pro Tip: How to Make the Crushed Ice<\/b><\/h3>\n