May 6, 2017

Mint Julep Bourbon Balls

Name: Mint Julep Balls
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 200 min
Ingredients: 1 stick butter (melted); 4-6 cups powdered sugar; 1/2 cup bourbon; 1 teaspoon peppermint extract; 14 oz package melting chocolates

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

As a Kentuckian, it’s pretty much required that I like bourbon. But I also can admit that I am not a fan of the Mint Julep. I love Kentucky Derby weekend, but I spend my time drinking the Oaks Lily. Bourbon and mint seem like a strange combination, but they work together surprisingly well. While I’m not a huge fan of the cocktail, I cannot stop eating these Mint Julep Bourbon Balls.

Top down view of mint julep bourbon balls on a rectangular white plate with three mint julep bourbon balls around the outside of the plate and a couple mint leaves on the plate, all on top of a marbled surface

What is a Mint Julep Bourbon Ball

A Mint Julep Bourbon Ball is a mint bourbon ball. If you’re not familiar with a bourbon ball, it’s a ball of bourbon and sugar, held together by butter, and then dipped in chocolate. It’s basically a boozy truffle. To make a bourbon ball a mint julep bourbon ball, we just add some peppermint extract!

Top down view of mint julep bourbon balls on a marbled surface, two of which have small mint leaves on top, and then two mint leaves between the chocolates

How to Make a Mint Julep Bourbon Ball

Combine all the ingredients except chocolate and refrigerate until hardened. You’ll want to use enough powdered sugar that after an hour in the refrigerator you can form a ball out of the mixture and it will hold its shape.

You’ll then form balls of about 1-2 tablespoons of the mixture, depending on how big you want them. Place the balls on a lined cookie sheet and freeze. Once frozen, you’ll melt the chocolate, dip the balls until completely covered in chocolate, and chill. I usually put a wire rack on a lined cookie sheet so when I put the chocolate covered balls on the wire rack there is room for the excess chocolate to drip onto the sheet below. Lining the sheet makes for easier cleanup!

an angled view of mint julep bourbon balls with one centralized ball with a bite taken out of it, and a couple mint leaves, all on a marbled surface

A Mint Julep may be Derby-focused, but these minty bourbon balls are perfect for any occasion!

A frosted Kentucky Derby glass from the 50s in the bottom right corner, with mint julep bourbon balls falling out of the glass toward the upper left corner with a few mint leaves on the left side of the photo, all on a white marbled surface

Print Recipe

Mint Julep Balls

Prep Time20 mins

Total Time3 hrs 20 mins

Servings: 20 balls

Ingredients

1 stick butter melted
4-6 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup bourbon
1 teaspoon peppermint extract
14 oz package melting chocolates

Instructions

Combine butter, sugar, bourbon, and 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.
Dip each ball in the chocolate, and set on a cooling rack over a cookie sheet so the excess chocolate can drip off.
Allow balls to harden.