It’s officially Derby season, y’all! Time for bourbon, beer cheese and big hats. And mint julep iced tea. I’m going to tell y’all something you have to promise not to judge me for… I hate sweet tea. I love me some iced tea, but can’t stand the taste of sugar in it! I feel like a fake southerner, but to be honest, I’m glad to avoid all that sugar. I do love an Arnold Palmer though – I know that doesn’t really make sense, but I think it’s the lemon? IDK, remember I said don’t judge!
It’s not Derby without a mint julep, but all that simple syrup falls into the sweet-tea-kind-of-sweet category. I wanted to come up with a recipe that pays homage to the mint julep without being overwhelmingly sweet. This mint julep iced tea is the perfect marriage of a mint julep and an Arnold Palmer. I made the recipe so that you can serve “virgin” or add in bourbon for a cocktail, giving your Derby party guests the choice to enjoy however they’d like. I made a pitcher of this tea last Sunday and enjoyed mine sans alcohol (my pancreas does not love bourbon even though I love it so) and Dave tried his with bourbon and we both loved it! Probably a sin to say this as a Kentuckian, but I think the tea would be great with vodka too. You can even make it a day or two ahead of time and just store in a pitcher in the fridge. Get the easy recipe below!
PS: Shop my gold polka dot acrylic pitcher here or here!
Ingredients
- 4 black tea bags
- 1/2 ounce fresh mint plus a few sprigs for garnish
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cup plus 1 quart cold water
- 1 quart ice
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- bourbon of choice (optional)
Directions
- Add 1/2 cup sugar and one cup water to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir until sugar dissolves.
- Once sugar dissolves remove from heat and add tea bags and mint. Let steep ten minutes.
- Strain tea into a pitcher, discarding tea bags and mint.
- Add 1 quart cold water, 1 quart ice and 1/4 cup lemon juice to the pitcher and stir to combine.
- Serve over fresh ice and garnish with fresh mint, add 1oz bourbon if desired.
Get my Kentucky beer cheese recipe here.
Cheers, y’all! Even if you’re not hosting a Derby party, I hope you’ll make a pitcher just to get in the Kentucky spirit. Stay tuned for a post on where to watch the Derby in Lexington coming soon! And if you’re looking for a little more Derby party inspiration, check out my Derby menu from last year here.
Biscuits & blessings,
Leels
Ooooh what a fun recipe to make for a Derby party! Love that you can really make it your own with bourbon, without, or even with vodka!
Gotta give the people options 😉 Thank you!
This looks delicious. Wish the folks at C’hill Downs used mint as fresh and appealing as yours. Last year I got a stem with no leaves in my drink. Not kidding!
Ah not cool!! I love fresh mint I try and put it in my drinks whenever I can!
This looks so good! Definite hit for our derby party!
Yay let me know if you try it!
How do you not like sweet tea?!?! j/k! This is a great idea and the photos are great!
I know it’s unheard of in the south!
I love a good bourbon cocktail!! But I have the sweet when it comes to sweet tea!