Woodford Reserve Mint Julep Syrup 16OZ

Woodford Reserve Mint Julep Syrup 16OZ is a ready-to-use cocktail syrup made from raw Demerara sugar and natural spearmint in a 16-ounce bottle. Developed through a partnership between Bourbon Barrel Foods and Woodford Reserve beginning in 2012, this syrup gained notable prestige as an ingredient in Woodford Reserve's 2017 $1,000 Mint Julep, served at the Kentucky Derby.

Quick Facts: Size: 16 oz  |  Origin: Louisville, Kentucky, USA  |  Type: Cocktail Syrup  |  Producer: Bourbon Barrel Foods × Woodford Reserve

Production & Heritage

Bourbon Barrel Foods, a Louisville-based artisan producer, developed this syrup in collaboration with the Woodford Reserve brand. The formula uses a 2:1 ratio of raw Demerara sugar to distilled water — a richer, less-refined sugar base than standard granulated white sugar, which contributes deeper caramel and molasses undertones. The ingredient list is straightforward: raw Demerara sugar, distilled water, natural mint flavor (derived from spearmint extract containing water, alcohol, and natural flavors), and less than 1% lactic acid as a preservative. The use of Demerara rather than conventional sugar is the primary distinction from mass-market mint syrups.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh spearmint rises immediately, followed by a warm, toffee-like sweetness from the Demerara sugar. There is a subtle herbal quality underneath the mint that keeps it from reading as artificial or candy-like.

Taste: The entry is rich and unmistakably sweet, with the raw sugar lending a rounded, almost molasses-edged body. Mid-palate, cool spearmint emerges cleanly and balances the syrup's density. The mint flavor stays crisp and natural rather than medicinal.

Finish: A lingering minty sweetness fades gradually, leaving a mild caramel note from the Demerara base. The finish is clean with no artificial aftertaste.

How to Use Woodford Reserve Mint Julep Syrup

The most direct application is the classic Mint Julep: combine one ounce of syrup with two ounces of bourbon over crushed ice, then garnish with a sprig of fresh mint. Beyond the julep, this syrup works well in several cocktails:

• Mojito — substitute for plain simple syrup to add Demerara depth alongside rum, lime, and fresh mint.
• Whiskey Smash — the built-in mint sweetness streamlines preparation and adds consistency to every pour.
• Southside — pairs naturally with gin and fresh lime, where the spearmint note replaces the need for muddled herbs.

It also serves as a sweetener for iced tea, lemonade, and non-alcoholic spritzers.

Best For

• Hosting a Kentucky Derby watch party with authentic juleps
• Home bartenders looking to simplify mint cocktail preparation
• Gifting alongside a bottle of bourbon for a complete julep kit
• Adding a premium mint sweetener to iced teas and summer beverages

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Woodford Reserve Mint Julep Syrup taste like? It delivers a rich, sweet Demerara sugar base layered with cool, natural spearmint flavor — noticeably richer and less artificial than syrups made with standard white sugar.

How does Woodford Reserve Mint Julep Syrup compare to Master of Mixes Mint Syrup? Woodford Reserve's version uses raw Demerara sugar for a deeper, more complex sweetness, while Master of Mixes uses Pacific Northwest spearmint with a more conventional sugar base. The Demerara foundation in the Woodford Reserve product gives it a slightly heavier body and more caramel character.

Is Woodford Reserve Mint Julep Syrup good for making juleps at home? It is specifically formulated as a julep base — one ounce of syrup replaces the traditional step of muddling fresh mint with sugar, making consistent home juleps significantly easier to prepare.

Where is Woodford Reserve Mint Julep Syrup made? It is produced by Bourbon Barrel Foods in Louisville, Kentucky, in partnership with the Woodford Reserve bourbon brand, which is distilled in Versailles, Kentucky.

What foods pair well with cocktails made from this syrup? Mint juleps made with this syrup complement smoked or grilled meats due to the mint's cooling contrast, pair naturally with dark chocolate desserts where the Demerara sweetness echoes cocoa notes, and work alongside fresh fruit plates — particularly stone fruits like peaches — for warm-weather entertaining.

What sizes does Woodford Reserve Mint Julep Syrup come in? The standard retail size is 16 ounces (one pint), which yields approximately 16 cocktails when using a one-ounce pour per drink.

Is Woodford Reserve Mint Julep Syrup worth the price? It positions as a premium cocktail syrup above mass-market mixers, justified by the Demerara sugar base, natural spearmint extract, and the Woodford Reserve collaboration pedigree — a meaningful step up for anyone serious about julep quality.

Why Woodford Reserve Mint Julep Syrup?

The use of raw Demerara sugar is the detail that matters most here. Where most commercial mint syrups rely on refined white sugar and produce a flat, one-dimensional sweetness, the Demerara base adds caramel depth and body that stands up to bourbon's own richness. The partnership between Bourbon Barrel Foods and Woodford Reserve — a collaboration dating to 2012 — lends the product genuine Kentucky bourbon-country credibility, reinforced by its inclusion in Woodford Reserve's $1,000 Mint Julep at the 2017 Kentucky Derby. For anyone building juleps at home, this syrup eliminates the inconsistency of muddling while delivering a more layered result than DIY simple syrup and store-bought mint extract.