Difficulty
Easy
Total Time
10MIN
Ingredients
Bourbon: 60 ml
Simple syrup: 10 ml
Mint leaves: 6-8, plus bouquet for garnish
Crushed ice
Chilled Sanpellegrino Ciao! Lime: 30-45 ml
Aromatic bitters: 1-2 dashes
The Mint Julep is as synonymous with the Kentucky Derby as the horses themselves, a ritual built on bourbon, mint, sugar, and crushed ice. But even the most established classics leave room for reinterpretation, especially as modern drinkers look for balance, brightness, and a lighter touch.
This version leans into that shift, introducing Sanpellegrino Ciao! Lime to bring a layer of citrus and effervescence that lifts the drink without losing its identity. The result stays grounded in tradition, but feels more in step with how we drink now.
How to make The Ciao! Lime Julep
01.
Build the Base
- In a julep cup or rocks glass, gently muddle the mint with the simple syrup.
- Not a massacre, just enough to release oils.
02.
Add the Bourbon
- Pour in the bourbon, stir briefly to integrate.
03.
Pack with Ice
- Fill the glass completely with crushed ice.
- Mound it high. This is not the place for restraint.
04.
Introduce the Ciao! Lime
- Top with the Sanpellegrino Ciao! Lime.
- This adds acidity and effervescence, replacing the need for citrus juice while keeping things lifted.
05.
Churn Lightly
- Give it a short stir to frost the cup and marry everything without killing the bubbles.
06.
Garnish Like You Mean It
- Slap a big mint bouquet, tuck it right against the straw so the aroma hits first sip.
