A little reason to celebrate
National Mint Julep Day
Drink ยท May 30
A day for the mint julep, the Southern cocktail of bourbon, sugar, fresh mint and crushed ice, served very cold and often in a frosty metal cup.
National Mint Julep Day falls on Sunday, May 30, 2027. That is 215 days away.
The mint julep is a short, cold drink built from four things: bourbon, sugar, fresh mint and a heap of crushed ice. It belongs to the American South, where it has a long reputation as a porch drink for hot afternoons.
The method is simple and a little ceremonial. Mint leaves are pressed gently with sugar or simple syrup, just enough to release their oils without shredding them. Bourbon goes in, then crushed ice packed high, then a stir until the outside of the cup turns frosty. A generous sprig of mint goes on top, close to where your nose will be, because much of the mint comes through as smell.
The traditional vessel is a silver or pewter julep cup. Metal holds the cold and gathers a layer of frost, and many people hold the cup by the rim or base so their hands do not melt it. A sturdy glass works too. The drink is strong and meant for sipping slowly while the ice softens it.
For anyone who skips alcohol, the same idea makes a good mint cooler: muddled mint, a little sugar, crushed ice, and cold water or sparkling water in place of the bourbon. The ice is the part people tend to underestimate. Cubes will not do the same job, and a clean kitchen towel with a rolling pin turns ordinary cubes into the fine, snowy kind a julep needs.
Ways to celebrate
- Try making a mint julep or an alcohol-free mint cooler at home.
- Crush ice by hand using a clean towel and a rolling pin.
- Grow a pot of mint on a sunny windowsill.
- Share a julep recipe with a friend who has never tried one.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday, May 30 |
| 2027 | Sunday, May 30 |
| 2028 | Tuesday, May 30 |
| 2029 | Wednesday, May 30 |
| 2030 | Thursday, May 30 |
Also on May 30
Categories: Drink days