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This Strawberry Mint Julep is a delightful twist on the traditional Southern cocktail, featuring a refreshing blend of fresh strawberries, mint, lemon juice, and bourbon. Ideal for Derby parties, summer get-togethers, or simply enjoying a leisurely afternoon, this drink is sure to impress and invigorate!
Why You’ll 🫶🏻 this Cocktail
There’s something refreshing about enjoying a chilled drink while basking in the sun’s warmth. This cocktail serves as the ideal getaway. This Strawberry Mint Julep is a bright mix of fresh strawberries, mint, lemon, and bourbon, all served over crushed ice. Its lightly sweet, citrusy, and cooling profile makes it an excellent choice for warm days or when you crave a fresh take on a classic. Whether you’re hosting a family brunch or simply want to elevate a casual weeknight dinner, this vibrant pink drink combines the sweetness of strawberries, the freshness of mint, and a kick of bourbon to impress your guests. Happy muddling! ~Nicole
Key Ingredients for Strawberry Mint Julep
Strawberries have a sweet, fruity flavor that beautifully pairs with bourbon and mint, resulting in a truly refreshing drink. Choose strawberries that are vibrant, free of blemishes, and exude a strong essence to elevate the overall taste experience.
Fresh Mint rings a delightful fragrance and refreshing coolness to the strawberry mint julep, elevating both its taste and scent. If you happen to have Strawberry Mint in your garden, as I do, that will put an extra flavor to this cocktail!
Simple Syrup is created by combining equal parts sugar and water, then heating the mixture until the sugar fully dissolves. It will last in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. I also use it to flavor Southern Sweet Tea and to keep cake layers moist.
Lemon Juice adds a zesty citrus flavor that enhances the strawberry and mint flavor while balancing the cocktail’s sweetness.
Bourbon is the spirit of this cocktail, delivering a rich, smooth flavor that beautifully enhances the strawberries’ sweetness and the mint’s refreshing notes. It adds that essential kick that elevates the entire drink!
Equipment Needed
Tips for Making a Strawberry Mint Julep
- Place serving glasses in the refrigerator to chill and have regular and crushed ice ready to go. Place three strawberries and the simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Using the muddler to muddle the mixture, essentially making a strawberry simple syrup. Add the mint leaves and gently muddle again. If you muddle the mint with the berries and syrup, you risk over-crushing the mint leaves, which can bring out chlorophyll and release a bitter taste.
- Add the lemon juice, bourbon, and a handful of regular ice. (Adding the ice helps chill the mixture.) Place the top on the shaker and give it a few good shakes.
- Add some crushed ice to the bottom of the serving glass or a classic Mint Julep Cup (I use mine for flowers, not beverages, as you can see in the photos.😉). Remove the top of the cocktail shaker and place the strainer on top. (I strain the muddled mixture because I do not like a muddled mess at the bottom of my glass.) Pour the cocktail mixture into the glass and garnish with strawberry slices, a lemon slice, and a sprig of fresh mint. Top with more crushed ice, sit back, and enjoy!
Substitutions
There are so few ingredients that if you make too many substitutions, it becomes a different cocktail. Having said that, here are a few suggestions.
- To make the drink non-alcoholic, substitute ginger ale or a lemon-lime soft drink for the bourbon.
- Substitute agave nectar for the simple syrup.
Serving Suggestions
Summer gatherings are an ideal occasion to enjoy this cocktail, which pairs wonderfully with light grilled fare such as Grilled Salmon with Red Onion and Strawberry Salsa, as well as fresh salads. such as Southern Cobb Salad or Spinach Salad with Bacon and Egg. It also serves as a delightful refreshment for festive events such as the Kentucky Derby or laid-back patio parties.
Other beverages you may enjoy…
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Strawberry Mint Julep
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 medium strawberries, hulled and halved
- 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) simple syrup
- 16 fresh mint leaves
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 4 ounces (½ cup) bourbon
- Crushed Ice
Garnish
- Strawerries slices
- Lemon slices
- Fresh mint sprigs
Instructions
- Place serving glasses in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour.
- Muddle the strawberries, simple syrup, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker. Add the mint leaves and gently muddle again to release the essential oils. Add the lemon juice, bourbon, and a handful of Ice cubes.
- Remove the glasses from the refrigerator and place some crushed ice in the bottom of each glass.
- Place the top on the shaker and shake the cocktail mixture vigorously. Remove the top of the shaker and place the strainer on the shaker. While holding the strainer over the shaker, divide the cocktail mixture among the glasses. Add more crushed ice, then garnish with strawberry and lemon slices and fresh mint sprigs. Serve, sip, and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
