As a Kentuckian, it's pretty much required that I like bourbon and horse racing, and of course, the cocktail most associated with the Kentucky Derby is the Mint Julep. And while a Mint Julep may not be everyone's taste in cocktails, there is a reason that the mint and bourbon combination is so popular! These Chocolate Covered Mint Bourbon Balls are a perfectly irresistible bite-sized treat! Just four ingredients combine together to form a dough-like filling and then are dipped in chocolate, creating the ultimate chocolate-covered boozy truffle - no baking or special equipment required! Plus, they're nut free!
These no-bake Mint Bourbon Balls are perfect for your Kentucky Derby celebrations, but they also make for the best homemade Christmas gifts or a fun addition to your holiday cookie boxes! They can be made in advance making your holiday baking that much easier! If you love bourbon chocolate treats, be sure to check out this Bourbon Chocolate Fudge and this Maple Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie.
Why this Recipe Works
Mint Bourbon Balls combine the flavors of mint and bourbon, much like the Mint Julep cocktail which is made with with bourbon, sugar, ice, and muddled mint leaves. These same flavors are combined in this simple and decadent dessert, and then are enrobed in chocolate to create this creamy, bourbon-infused southern treat!
Ingredients and Notes
These Chocolate Mint Bourbon Balls are made without nuts and without corn syrup, using just five simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen!
Bourbon - The bourbon is very noticeable in this mint chocolate ball recipe so I suggest using a bourbon you like, but any bourbon you have on hand works great. Maker's Mark is very popular for baking because it's sweeter. I tend to like Jim Beam or Four Roses, but that's simply personal preference. You really can't go wrong with bourbon!
Powdered Sugar - The powdered sugar is used to stabilize the bourbon mint filling. The filling doesn't need to be fully stable before refrigerating, as the chill time will help to stabilize it as well.
Chocolate - Any flavor of chocolate melts will work for the chocolate coating. I prefer dark chocolate, but milk chocolate will also be delicious, and even white chocolate should work great!
Substitutions & Variations
Bourbon - These Chocolate Covered Mint Bourbon Balls can be made alcohol-free by using a non-alcoholic bourbon.
Peppermint Extract - This simple no-bake bourbon ball recipe uses extract for the mint flavoring, but the extract can be skipped for a basic nut-free bourbon ball.
Chocolate - I like to use chocolate melting wafers for coating bourbon balls because I think they're easier to melt and cover the bourbon mint filling, but chocolate chips can work too - just make sure you stir them frequently and keep an eye on them so they don't burn! A tiny bit of coconut oil or butter in the chips can also help them melt better, but it will impact the texture of the chocolate coating on the bourbon balls and may make them meltier in your hands.
How to Make this Recipe
Step 1: Combine all the ingredients except the chocolate in a medium bowl, mix well and refrigerate for one hour.
Step 2: Scoop the chilled mixture into approximately one-inch balls and place onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze for two hours.
Step 3: Melt the chocolate in the microwave or in a double boiler.
Step 4: Coat the frozen bourbon mint filling in chocolate and let set. Enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
Yes, just use a spirit-free bourbon. The bourbon is the primary flavor in these chocolate-coated treats, so you will want to replace it or you can enjoy a peppermint chocolate truffle!
No, they can stay at room temperature, but they can be stored in the fridge if your kitchen is warm.
Yes! While many standard bourbon ball recipes are not or require substitutions to be gluten-free, this five-ingredient recipe is naturally gluten-free.
Tips & Tricks
Tip #1: When mixing the ingredients for the Mint Bourbon Balls filling, you want the mixture to be fairly thick, but not fully stiff. It will stiffen more as it chills. Start with about 4 cups of powdered sugar, and continue to add until you reach the desired consistency.
Tip #2: Using a fork when dipping the bourbon balls into the melted chocolate can allow the excess chocolate to drip off before placing on parchment paper or a wire rack to set.
Storage Tips
Chocolate-Covered Mint Bourbon Balls can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week.
Related Recipes
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📖 Recipe
Mint Chocolate Bourbon Balls
Equipment
- quarter sheet pan
- parchment paper
- Mixing bowl
- silicone spatula
Ingredients
- 1 stick butter melted
- 4-6 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup bourbon
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 ½ cups melting chocolates 10 oz package
Instructions
- Combine butter, sugar, bourbon, and extract.1 stick butter, 4-6 cups powdered sugar, ½ cup bourbon, 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- Refrigerate mixture for 1 hour.
- Scoop approximately one inch balls out of the mixture and place on parchment paper lined cookie sheet.
- Freeze for at least 2 hours.
- When frozen, melt the melting chocolates according to package instructions.1 ½ cups melting chocolates
- Dip each ball in the chocolate, and set on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Allow chocolate to set.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated so should only be used as an estimate. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
This recipe was originally posted on May 6, 2017, but was republished with new photos, additional information about the recipe, step-by-step instructions, FAQs, and tips and tricks in May of 2022, and with new photos and additional information about the recipe in November of 2024.
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